The ECC Plenary had its 42nd meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, 14 to 17 June 2016. It gathered around 70 participants representing 28 CEPT administrations and observers.
Here is a summary of the outcome from the meeting.
Final approval of deliverables for publication:
ECC Decision (16)02 on harmonised conditions and frequency bands for broadband PPDR systems:
- It addresses the identification of spectrum within the 450-470 MHz and 700 MHz frequency ranges and relevant technical conditions for BB-PPDR systems. Taking into account the outcome from the public consultation, ECC approved the Decision as proposed by WG FM, including the unwanted emissions level to be fulfilled by PPDR user equipment for the protection of broadcasting below 694 MHz.
- As a follow-up action, ECC also approved a liaison statement to 3GPP containing the main requirements to be taken into account in the standardization activities for BB-PPDR equipment.
- ECC also noted the progress achieved so far on the development of a new draft ECC Recommendation on cross-border coordination for BB-PPDR in the 700 MHz range.
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 and has been finally approved by ECC as proposed by WG FM with additional minor modifications.
CEPT Report 59 in response to the EC permanent mandate on the update of the EC Decision on Short Range Devices:
- ECC approved for publication CEPT Report 59, providing proposals for the 6th update of the EC Decision, also taking into account the comments received during public consultation.
- ECC also considered the progress from WG FM on the development of the Addendum of CEPT Report 59 covering the opportunities for SRDs in the ranges 870-876/915-921 MHz. The Addendum is expected to be ready for public consultation in November 2016.
CEPT Report 61 in response to the EC mandate on video PMSE in the 2.7-2.9 GHz band: ECC considered the version amended by WG FM as a result from the public consultation and discussed a proposal to include an additional Annex summarising the harmonised parameters and the regulatory framework for PMSE applications for use in a possible future EC framework. ECC finally decided not to include such an Annex and approved with minor amendments CEPT Report 61 for publication.
CEPT Report 62 in response to the EC mandate on mobile communications on board vessels (MCV): ECC PT1 resolved the comments received during the public consultation. The CEPT Report 62 is consistent with the recently updated ECC framework (ECC Decision (08)08 and ECC Report 237) related to MCV and includes in an annex a proposed update of the corresponding EC framework.
Approval of draft deliverables for Public consultation:
Draft revised ECC Decision (12)01 on the exemption from individual licensing and free circulation and use of terrestrial and satellite mobile terminals operating under the control of networks. The revision proposes to include the 700 MHz and 2.3-2.4 GHz bands in this Decision.
Draft revised ECC Decision (06)07 on mobile communication on-board aircraft. The proposed modifications are consistent with the studies reported in CEPT Report 63 (see below).
Draft CEPT Report 63 in response to the EC Mandate regarding the possibility of making the usage of the network control unit (NCU) optional on-board MCA enabled aircraft. The Report concludes that MCA operations without an NCU are sufficient to guarantee a reasonable protection against resulting interference and signalling issues to and from terrestrial GSM and / or LTE wireless telecommunication systems. However for UMTS systems, the studies concluded that an NCU is necessary to prevent connection of User Equipment on board to Mobile networks on the ground. The Report also includes a proposed update of the technical conditions contained in the EC regulatory framework.
Draft CEPT Report 64, 2nd and final Report in response to the EC Mandate on the 5 GHz extension bands for RLANs: the draft Report summarises the status of the latest compatibility studies and identifies the areas (e.g. mitigation techniques) to be further addressed. It was approved for public consultation as proposed by WG FM, together with a note to the European Commission highlighting concerns related to interference cases and equipment enforcement issues.
Draft ECC Report 254 on operation guidelines to support the ECC framework for MFCN in the 3.6-3.8 GHz band: the draft Report, developed by ECC PT1, outlines optional procedures to enable administrations to allow sharing between MFCN and Fixed Satellite Service and Fixed Service in this band and provides guidance to implement the LSA approach at national level where appropriate.
Editorial update of deliverables for publication:
ECC Decision (01)03 on the ECO Frequency Information System (EFIS): a few editorial amendments (updates) were proposed in the main body of the ECC Decision. As a result, ECC agreed the revised ECC Decision(01)03 for publication, also including the amended Annex 1 and Annex 2 as recently approved by WG FM.
ECC Decision (11)03 on the harmonised use of frequencies for Citizens’ Band (CB) radio equipment: the changes were limited to editorial amendments (updates of references to ETSI standards) and the ECC Decision was then approved for publication.
Issues in progress
- 5G:
- ECC endorsed the proposal from the Steering Group to organize in early November 2016 a workshop on 5G. The workshop programme should be finalized and published before the summer period.
- ECC tasked ECC PT1 to assess the suitability of the current harmonised technical conditions in 3.4-3.8 GHz for 5G.
- Presentations were made by Ericsson (focusing on the opportunities offered by antenna beamforming for 5G) and the mmMagic European research project.
- Machine to Machine communications (M2M): ECC noted the outcome from the ECC M2M workshop in March and was informed about the relevant activities within its subordinate groups.
- Issues related to Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and road tolling at 5.8 GHz:
- ECC identified the need to further consider the potential coexistence and interoperability issues between different technologies envisaged for ITS, taking into account that the existing spectrum regulations are technology neutral.
- ECC also noted the latest developments dealing with road tolling, smart tachographs and the related compatibility scenarios.
- PPDR workshop: ECC noted the programme for the forthcoming joint ECC-ETSI workshop on PPDR at the ETSI headquarters on 29 September 2016.
- GSM-R: ECC noted the progress on the revision of ECC Recommendation (05)08 on frequency planning and frequency coordination for the GSM 900, GSM 1800, E-GSM and GSM-R Land Mobile Systems and agreed that its work should take into account the absence of harmonization measure for E-GSM-R.
- ECC also noted the questionnaire launched by WG FM on national coordination between MFCN and GSM-R (deadline for responses: 9 September 2016).
- Audio PMSE: ECC noted the completion of the compatibility studies for audio PMSE in the 1492-1525 MHz and also the identification by WG FM of the range 1350-1400 MHz for wireless microphones in ERC/REC 70-03.
- Ofcom UK made a presentation on the UK activities towards the national implementation of audio PMSE in the band 964-1160 MHz. The possibility to trigger any follow-up action within ECC would be further considered by WG FM, subject to contribution.
- Protection of aircraft from satellite earth station emissions: ECC approved a liaison statement to EASA asking assistance on the appropriate regulations and assumptions to be taken into account on this topic.
- 700 MHz Information repository: ECC noted the information on the progress done within the regional coordination groups (such as WEDDIP, SEDDIF and NEDDIF) on activities related to the 700 MHz band.
- ECC agreed to create an ECC Forum Group on 700 MHz Information Repository with the main tasks to identify possible improvements to the tool, to provide guidance to administrations for the upload of information and to cooperate with the relevant coordination groups.
- PSAP directory: ECC noted the progress and the planned schedule for WG NaN feasibility report on the hosting of a PSAP directory. Completion of the work for ECC consideration is expected for June 2017.
New work
- ECC agreed a new work item for ECC-PT1 on best practices on indoor coverage for mobile services (MFCN).
- ECC agreed a new work item for ECC-PT1 to assess the suitability of the current harmonised technical conditions in 3.4-3.8 GHz for 5G.
Events and tools supporting ECC
- 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.
- EFIS: ECC welcomed the presentation on EFIS latest developments and future plans.
Organisational matters
- Steve Green (United Kingdom) was appointed as new Chairman of PT1.
- The current WG NaN Chairman (Johannes Vallesverd, Norway) having completed his first term, a call for nomination will be carried out in accordance with the ECC Rules of Procedure. Johannes Vallesverd mentioned his intention to run for a second term.
- ECC approved a revision of its working methods. It includes an update and clarifications within the generic sections and also amended Terms of Reference of WG NaN.
- ECC noted the signature of the LoU between ECC and GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association).
Next meetings
The next meetings of ECC are planned as follows:
- ECC-M43: 15-18 November 2016, Praque, Czech Republic
- ECC-M44: 28 February-3 March 2017
- ECC-M45: 27-30 June 2017, the Netherlands
- ECC-M46: 14-17 November 2017
Additional information on the key topics can be found here