The following presents a summary of the outcome of the main agenda items from WRC-19 (Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, 28th October – 22nd November):

• AI 1.1 – Amateurs: a secondary allocation in Region 1 to the amateur service in 50-52 MHz was agreed.
• AI 1.2 – Earth stations at 400 MHz: in-band power limits were agreed for EESS and MetSat in 401-403 MHz and MSS in 399.9-400.02 MHz. There are no limits for 400.02- 400.05 MHz which is limited for use by telecommand links.
• AI 1.3 – EESS/MetSat: No Change to the Radio Regulations was agreed.
• AI 1.4 – Broadcasting Satellite-Service (BSS): regulatory solutions to remove or modify the orbital limitations of Annex 7 of Appendix 30 of the Radio Regulations were agreed.
• AI 1.5 – Earth Stations in Motion (ESIM): conditions were agreed for operation of aeronautical, maritime and terrestrial ESIM in 17.7-19.7 GHz (space-Earth) and 27.5-29.5 GHz (Earth-space).
• AI 1.6 – Non-GSO FSS Q/V Band: a regulatory framework to allow NGSO FSS in the 40/50 GHz frequency ranges was agreed, which provides for protection of GSO networks and EESS.
• AI 1.7 – Nano/picosatellites: conditions were agreed to facilitate use of the bands 137-138 MHz (space to Earth) and 148–149.9 MHz (Earth to space) for space operation service associated with short-duration mission satellite systems.
• A1 1.8 Issue A – GMDSS modernisation: several changes to the Radio Regulations were agreed to allow NAVDAT applications in the frequency bands designated for digitally modulated emissions in the maritime mobile service.
• A1 1.8 Issue B – Introduction of a new GMDSS system: a primary allocation to the mobile maritime-satellite service was agreed in 1621.35-1626.5 MHz to be used for the GMDSS, while ensuring protection to radio astronomy and other GMDSS system in the adjacent band.
• AI 1.9.1 – Autonomous maritime radio devices (AMRD): Conditions were agreed for operation of AMRD Group A and Group B using AIS technology.
• AI 1.9.2 – VHF data exchange - satellite: new spectrum allocations to the maritime mobile-satellite service were agreed.
• AI 1.10 – GADSS: No Change to the Radio Regulations was agreed.
• AI 1.11 – Train to trackside communications: a new Resolution was agreed to provide guidance to administrations on implementation of this technology.
• AI 1.12 – Intelligent Transport Systems: a new Recommendation was agreed to provide guidance to administrations on harmonisation of frequency bands for ITS.
• AI 1.13 – IMT-2020: Global IMT Identification and conditions for the bands 24.25-27.5 GHz, 37-43.5 and 66–71 GHz were agreed, including limits to protect passive services. Footnotes were agreed for 45.5–47 GHz and 47.2–48.2 GHz to identify IMT in certain countries.
• AI 1.14 – HAPS: Global identification for HAPs was agreed for the 31–31.3 GHz 38-39.5 GHz bands, as well as refinements to the provisions for the existing global identification in 47.2-47.5 GHz/47.9-48.2 GHz. The 21.4-22 GHz and 24.25-27.5 GHz bands were identified in Region 2 with necessary protection measures for existing services.
• AI 1.15 – Services above 275 GHz: several frequency bands were identified for the land-mobile and fixed services applications.
• AI 1.16 – RLAN 5 GHz: Conditions for use of the band 5150-5250 MHz for indoor usage in trains and cars as well as outdoor usage were agreed. For the 5725–5850 MHz band, some ATU and APT countries were added to the existing footnote 5.453.

 

The following conclusions were reached for the issues under AI 7 on Satellite Procedures:

• AI 7 (A) – Bringing into use of non-GSO systems: a new regulatory regime was agreed, with mega-constellations required to deploy 10% of their constellation within 2 years, 50% within 5 years and complete deployment within 7 years.
• AI 7 (B) – Coordination arc in Ka-Band: A coordination arc was agreed to substitute the ΔT/T>6% criteria to determine coordination requirements between FSS and other satellite services.
• AI 7(C) - Easily agreed issues: Changes were agreed in line with the CEPT proposal to address inconsistencies in regulatory provisions, clarify and improve certain existing practices, or increase transparency in the regulatory process..
• AI 7(D) - Additional information published in CR/D: Changes were agreed in order for the Bureau to publish in the CR/D special section the “definitive lists” of those specific GSO networks or non-GSO systems, with which coordination under Nos 12, 9.12A or 9.13 needs to be effected..
• AI 7(E) - Special treatment for newcomers in AP30B: Rules were established to give priority to countries without entries in Appendix 30B, without creating regulatory and operational uncertainty for existing systems.
• AI 7(F) - Simplified access to enter the Appendix 30B List: Restructuring of the coordination triggers in Appendix 30B was agreed.
• AI 7(G) - Update of the App 30 & 30A reference: Changes were agreed to change provisional recording of assignments to definitive and update the reference situation for networks under Appendices 30 and 30A..
• AI 7(H) - Appendix 4 non-GSO data updates: It was agreed to retain the text with the proposed changes to Appendix 4 in the CPM Report to enhance the capability of administrations to model NGSO satellite orbits and conduct analysis to ensure compliance with revised ITU Recommendations.
• AI 7(I) - Short duration missions: a new optional regulatory procedure for NGSO satellite networks and systems with short-duration missions was agreed.
• AI 7(J) - Exceeding pfd limits in AP30: No Change to the Radio Regulations was agreed.
• AI 7(K) - Additional Part B examination: Changes were agreed in line with the CEPT proposal to the Conference to address difficulties in Part B examinations under Appendix 30B for Part B submissions.

 

The following conclusions were reached for the issues under AI 9.1 on the Report of the BR Director on activities since WRC-15:

• AI 9.1.1 – Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) 2 GHz: revisions to Resolution 212 were agreed, including guidance to facilitate coexistence between terrestrial and satellite components of IMT.
• AI 9.1.2 - BSS sound: pfd limits and coordination procedures were agreed for Region 1 and 3 for coexistence of IMT and BSS (sound) satellites in 1452-1492 MHz.
• AI 9.1.3 - Non GSO FSS C-band: No Change to the Radio Regulations was agreed.
• AI 9.1.4 - Suborbital planes: No Change to the Radio Regulations was agreed.
• AI 9.1.5 – RLAN protection criteria 5 GHz: Updates to Footnotes 5.447F and 5.450A were agreed to replace references to Recommendations ITU-R M.1638-0 and ITU-R RS.1632-0 with text referring to Resolution 229.
• AI 9.1.6 - Wireless power transmission: No Change to the Radio Regulations was agreed.
• AI 9.1.7 - Unauthorised satellite terminals: a Resolution on this issue was approved with agreement from CEPT on measures to limit unauthorised uplink transmissions from earth stations.
• AI 9.1.8 - Machine type communications: No Change to the Radio Regulations was agreed.
• AI 9.1.9 - FSS 50 GHz: an allocation to the 51.4-52.4 GHz band was agreed for GSO FSS (Earth-to-space) gateways.

 

The agenda for the next WRC-23 was agreed under AI 10. This includes altogether 19 agenda items, 13 of which originate either fully or partially from CEPT proposals:

• AI 1.1: 4800-4990 MHz FN 5.441B –protection of aeronautical and maritime mobile service stations, and review of pfd criteria
• AI 1.2: Consider IMT identifications in 3300-3400 MHz (amend footnote in Region 1, Region 2), 3600-3800 MHz (Region 2), 6425-7025 MHz (Region 1), 7025-7125 MHz (global), 10000-10500 MHz (Region 2)
• AI 1.3: Consider primary mobile allocation in 3600-3800 MHz (Region 1)
• AI 1.4: High-altitude platform stations as IMT base stations (HIBS) in frequency bands below 2.7 GHz
• AI 1.5: Review of 470-960 MHz in Region 1
• AI 1.6: Regulatory provisions for sub-orbital vehicles
• AI 1.7: Consider new VHF aeronautical mobile-satellite service (AMS(R)S) allocation in 117.975-137 MHz
• AI 1.8: Review Resolution 155 and FN 5.484B on FSS for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
• AI 1.9: Review Appendix 27 for commercial aviation safety-of-life applications in HF bands
• AI 1.10: Possible new allocations for aeronautical mobile service for non-safety applications
• AI 1.11: GMDSS modernisation and implementation of e-navigation
• AI 1.12: Possible secondary allocation for EESS spaceborne radars in frequencies around 45 MHz
• AI 1.13: Possible upgrade of space research allocation in 14.8-15.35 GHz
• AI 1.14: Possible new primary allocation to EESS in 231.5-252 GHz
• AI 1.15: Harmonisation of 12.75-13.25 GHz for aero and maritime GSO ESIM
• AI 1.16: Harmonisation of 17.7-18.6 GHz and 18.8-19.3 GHz and 19.7-20.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 27.5-29.1 GHz and 29.5-30 GHz (Earth-to-space) NGSO ESIM
• AI 1.17: Possible new allocations for inter-satellite links
• AI 1.18: Possible new allocations for MSS for future IoT applications in 1695-1710 MHz (Region 2), 2010-2025 MHz (Region 1), 3300-3315 MHz (Region 2), 3385-3400 MHz (Region 2)
• AI 1.19: Possible new primary allocation for FSS 17.3-17.7 GHz in Region 2

 

The following issues will be considered under AI 9.1 for WRC-23:

1. Future regulatory needs for space weather sensors
2. Protection of RNSS from amateur and amateur-satellite service in 1240-1300 MHz
3. IMT fixed wireless broadband in FS bands
4. Protection of EESS in the frequency band 36-37 GHz from non-GSO space stations

 

The WRC-27 Preliminary Agenda was also agreed. It includes 13 items related to aeronautical, science, satellite, mobile and maritime. 3 preliminary agenda items address the 71-76 GHz/81-86 GHz band.

A range of conclusions were also agreed on the standing agenda items 2, 4, 8, 9.2 and 9.3 which address various updates of the Radio Regulations and their application.

More information on the outcome of all agenda items can be found in the final CEPT weekly report from WRC here.