The ECC Plenary had its 41st meeting in Ghent, Belgium, 1 to 4 March 2016. It gathered around 80 participants representing 31 CEPT administrations and observers.
Here is a summary of the outcome from the meeting
Chairmanships:
- Eric Fournier (France) has been re-appointed as ECC Chairman for his second term.
- Alexander Kühn (Germany) has been appointed as CPG Chairman for the new cycle 2016-2019 leading to WRC-19.
- A new Chairman for ECC PT1 will be appointed at the next ECC meeting in June 2016.
Final approval of deliverables for publication:
Revised ECC Decision (08)08 on mobile communications on board vessels (MCV): this revision covers additional possible technologies (UMTS, LTE) and bands for MCV and the resulting technical conditions for the coexistence with land-based MFCN networks. Because of the substantial changes in the revised Decision, it has been agreed that the implementation status would be reset.
New ECC Decision (16)01 on obstacle detection radars for helicopter use in the 76-77 GHz band: approved with minor modifications. ECC agreed a liaison statement to ETSI in order to clarify its expectations on how to address the protection of Radio Astronomy sites through the ETSI harmonised EN 303 360 currently under development.
Revised ECC Decision(09)01 on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) at the 63-64 GHz: approved with minor modifications. Due to the limited changes brought by this revision, ECC agreed to keep the current implementation status.
Revised ERC Decision(00)07 on the shared use of the band 17.7-19.7 GHz by the fixed service and earth stations of the fixed-satellite service: approved with modifications to clarify the description of mitigation techniques, in particular Dynamic Channel Assignment (DCA). Because of the substantial changes in the revised Decision, it has been agreed that the implementation status would be reset. In addition, ECC agreed to send a liaison statement inviting ETSI to consider the mitigation techniques described in the revised ERC Decision (00)07.
ECC Report 242 on compatibility studies for Machine-to-machine (M2M) applications in the 733-736/788-791 MHz band: ECC endorsed the changes proposed by PT1 as result of the public consultation.
CEPT Report 60 in response to the EC mandate on the harmonized technical conditions for the 700 MHz band: ECC PT1 resolved all the comments from the public consultation. In particular, ECC PT1 reviewed and confirmed the technical conditions for Mobile Broadband usage in the 700 MHz band. This outcome was approved by ECC for publication and sending to the EC, with a cover note, which clarified the status of the Terminal Stations requirements within the duplex gap 733-758 GHz. It concludes the CEPT response to the EC mandate on 700 MHz.
Approval of draft deliverables for Public consultation:
Draft ECC Decision (16)02 on harmonised conditions and frequency bands for broadband PPDR systems: approved for public consultation with minor modifications. It addresses the identification of spectrum within the 450-470 MHz and 700 MHz frequency ranges and relevant technical conditions for BB-PPDR systems. In addition, ECC agreed that further compatibility studies should be carried out within WG SE on the 410-430 MHz band to consider the possible introduction of this band in a subsequent revision of ECC Decision(16)02.
Draft revised ECC Decision (08)05 on PPDR narrow band and wide band applications in the 380-470 MHz range: the revised ECC Decision reflects the relevant developments related to PPDR since 2008.
Draft CEPT Report 59 in response to the EC permanent mandate on the update of the EC Decision on Short Range Devices: ECC approved the draft CEPT Report 59 on the 6th update with a range of amendments to the proposal from WG FM, in order to clarify the situation for TTT systems at 5.8 GHz and the need for studies on usage conditions for DECT/SRD in the 1 900-1 920 MHz band. In addition, it has been agreed that the opportunity for a partial implementation of the bands 870-876/915-921 MHz should be further considered and addressed in an addendum of CEPT Report 59.
Draft CEPT Report 61 in response to the EC mandate on video PMSE in the 2.7-2.9 GHz band: this report, based on the studies contained in ECC Report 243, provides the sharing conditions for video PMSE in the 2.7-2.9 GHz. ECC approved it for public consultation with some improvements brought to the executive summary.
Draft CEPT Report 62 in response to the EC mandate on mobile communications on board vessels (MCV) was approved for public consultation. It is based on the recently updated ECC framework (ECC Decision(08)08 and ECC Report 237) related to MCV.
Editorial update of deliverables for publication:
ECC approved for publication an editorial update of CEPT Report 52 (response to the EC mandate on the unpaired 2 GHz bands) to align the relevant parts with the ECC Decision (15)02 on Broadband DA2GC within 1900-1920 MHz. It will also be sent to the EC.
Issues in progress
- Mobile Communications onboard Aircraft (MCA): ECC endorsed the interim report in response to the EC mandate on MCA and noted the progress of the related studies within ECC PT1. The draft CEPT Report should be ready for public consultation at the next ECC meeting in June 2016.
- EC Mandate on the 5 GHz extension bands: ECC noted the developments within WG SE and WG FM on the activities in response to the EC Mandate on the 5 GHz extension bands. The draft CEPT Report should be ready for public consultation at the next ECC meeting in June 2016. It was highlighted that the response to the EC Mandate and the activities related to WRC-19 agenda item 1.16 are clearly separated.
- GSM-R: ECC noted the lack of contributions within ETSI in relation to the harmonised standard for GSM, including GSM-R, terminals. WG FM informed that a questionnaire will be sent to CEPT administrations in 2016 to gather feedback on the guidance contained in ECC Report 229 on GSM-R.
- UAS-RPAS: ECC noted the report from the market surveillance campaign developed by ADCO R&TTE on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). WG FM also informed about their activities on the development of an ECC Report on the spectrum regulation for drones.
- 5G: ECC PT1 started its activities on IMT 2020. Bands subject to studies under WRC-19 AI 1.13 and existing harmonized bands may respond to IMT 2020 needs. ECC confirmed that harmonization activities on MFCN and work on AI 1.13 should be carried out in the same group.
- Cross-border coordination for BB-PPDR at 700 MHz: WG FM and ECC PT1 should coordinate to identify the best way to develop guidance for BB-PPDR at 700 MHz taking into account the existing deliverables.
- Audio PMSE: ECC confirmed the identification of the range 1350-1400 MHz for wireless microphones. Because of the plans for MFCN in the band 1492-1518 MHz as a result of WRC-15, ECC identified that this band may no longer be suitable for wireless microphones in the long term and tasked WG FM to reflect this in the corresponding entry for wireless microphones in ERC/REC 70-03. In addition, because of the potential opportunities for the band 1518-1525 MHz, ECC agreed that the current compatibility studies for the band 1492-1525 MHz in WG SE should continue.
- Unwanted emissions: ECC noted the results of WG SE activities on the characterization of unwanted emissions, and in particular that the results of measurements show better performance than the regulatory limits. The cooperation with ETSI is welcomed to consider an appropriate modelling of unwanted emissions in sharing and compatibility studies.
- PSAP database: ECC considered the preliminary feasibility study developed by WG NaN/PT ES on the possibility of ECC/ECO hosting a database of contact points for transnational emergency calls (PSAP database). Several comments and concerns were expressed and would need to be further addressed by WG NaN towards the completion of the feasibility report as an ECC Report. The matter should be further discussed by ECC for decision on the possible steps forward, taking also into account the possible implications for ECO.
New work
- WG FM is tasked to report to the next ECC meeting on the potential actions required as a result of WRC-15 results in addition to the already completed update of the European Common Allocations table (ERC Report 25).
- ECC tasked ECC PT1 to initiate studies related to the introduction of MFCN in the bands 1427-1452 and 1492-1518 MHz and to develop a questionnaire on timing for harmonisation and availability of these bands for MFCN.
- ECC agreed a new work item for ECC-PT1 to study the suitability of the current ECC framework for MFCN for the future usage of LTE-based M2M and Narrowband M2M.
- ECC tasked ECC-PT1 to assess whether the unwanted emission limits proposed for low power broadcasting transmitters in the draft ETSI EN 302 296 have an impact on the results of the compatibility studies between broadcasting and mobile around 694 MHz.
Events and tools supporting ECC
- 700 MHz Information repository: ECC noted the release of the repository and the low amount of data available so far. ECO was tasked to contact the ECC administrations and ask for feedback on the repository, on potentially new data to be published and on possible improvements to the tool.
- SEAMCAT: ECC welcomed the release of the new SEAMCAT version 5. Administrations were invited to increase their participation in the SEAMCAT Technical Group (STG). ECC noted the SEAMCAT Workshop for beginners (ECO, 4 April 2016).
- EFIS: ECC welcomed the new developments in EFIS with the implementation of the new ECO Report 04 on Fixed Service in Europe.
- Planned workshops:
- ECC noted the finals steps of the preparation of the ECC M2M workshop (21-22 March 2016).
- ECC endorsed the proposal from WG FM for a workshop on PPDR jointly organized with ETSI. It will be held at the ETSI headquarters on 29 September 2016.
- ECC participants were reminded about the 4th CEPT Workshop on European Spectrum Management and Numbering (ECO, 5 April 2016).
- ECC newsletters: ECC endorsed the plans from ECO for the further releases of the ECC newsletter.
- ECO bulletin: the ECO’s regular bulletin on developments outside the ECC was noted and the relevant ECC entities were invited to consider the information in more details.
Other issues
- ECC approved the text of the revised MoU with ETSI.
- ECC tasked the Chairman to enter into negotiation with GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) to sign a LoU.
- ECC requested all WGs and PT1 Chairmen to review their terms of reference and the ECO to propose an update, when appropriate, of the ECC Working Methods.
- ECC decided that there is no need to change the rules for approval of European Common Proposals (ECP) as described in the Working Methods. CPG is tasked to better ensure a common understanding.
Next meetings
The next meetings of ECC are planned as follows:
- ECC-M42: 14-17 June 2016, Stockholm, Sweden
- ECC-M43: 15-18 November 2016, Prague, Czech Republic
- ECC-M44: 7-10 March 2017
- ECC-M45: 13-16 June 2017, the Netherlands
- ECC-M46: 14-17 November 2017
Additional information on the key topics can be found here.
The minutes of the meeting are available here.