Implementing decision 2016/339 - Harmonisation of the 2010-2025 MHz frequency band for portable or mobile wireless video links and cordless cameras used for programme making and special events (notified under document C(2016) 1197) - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 63/5

The use of the 1 900-1 980 MHz, 2 010-2 025 MHz and 2 110-2 170 MHz frequency bands (altogether referred to as ‘the 2 GHz band’) had been coordinated under Decision No 128/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2). This Decision expired on 22 January 2003, but the Member States continue to use this spectrum in a harmonised manner.

The use of the paired 1 920-1 980 MHz and 2 110-2 170 MHz sub-band (‘the paired terrestrial 2 GHz band’) has subsequently been harmonised under Commission Implementing Decision 2012/688/EU (3) in line with technological evolution and the principles of technology and service neutrality.

The unpaired part of the terrestrial 2 GHz band comprising the 1 900-1 920 MHz and 2 010-2 025 MHz frequency bands, which had been assigned to mobile operators in the Union, has remained unused by mobile networks for more than 10 years in most Member States, resulting in valuable spectrum being underused. This underuse justifies new harmonisation measures to ensure that spectrum is effectively and efficiently used in line with the objectives of the multiannual Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (‘RSPP’) (4). These measures in particular seek sufficient spectrum to support programme making and special events (PMSE), in accordance with the internal market and access to culture objective and to develop public protection and disaster relief (PPDR).

In response to the Commissions' mandate issued in 2011 under Article 4(2) of Decision No 676/2002/EC relating to technical conditions for spectrum harmonisation options for wireless radio microphones and cordless video cameras (5), the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications administrations (‘CEPT’) submitted its Report 51 (6) identifying the 2 010-2 025 MHz frequency band and other frequency bands as possible new spectrum for wireless cameras and video links, subject to further studies. The Commission therefore issued in October 2012 (7) a further mandate to the CEPT to carry out studies on harmonised technical conditions for the 1 900-1 920 MHz and 2 010-2 025 MHz frequency bands in the EU. As a result, on 6 March 2015 the CEPT issued its Report 52 (8) which identifies alternative potential uses for these unpaired terrestrial 2 GHz bands to implement policies highlighted by the RSPP in relation to PMSE and PPDR.

As identified by CEPT reports, the categories of portable or mobile wireless video links and cordless cameras that can be used for programme making and special events (‘video PMSE’) may include among others cordless cameras as handheld or otherwise mounted cameras with integrated or clip-on transmitters, power packs and antennae for carrying broadcast-quality videos together with sound signals over short-ranges, line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight; portable video links via small transmitters, for deployment over greater ranges, typically up to two kilometres, and mobile video links such as video transmission systems with radio transmitter and receivers mounted in or on motorcycles, racing motorbikes, pedal cycles, cars, boats, helicopters, airships or other...