The ECC Plenary had its 48^th meeting in Rome, 3-6 July 2018. It gathered approximately 100 participants representing 34 CEPT administrations and observers.

Here is a summary of the outcome from the meeting.

Final approval of deliverables for publication:

ECC approved for publication a set of deliverables on technical conditions for 5G:

• New ECC Decision (18)06 on harmonised technical conditions for Mobile/Fixed Communications Networks (MFCN) in the band 24.25-27.5 GHz. Taking into account the responses received during the public consultation and the additional proposals submitted to the meeting, ECC discussed the remaining open issues and agreed on the following elements:
  • Unwanted emissions limits for the protection of passive services in the band 23.6 – 24 GHz: ECC agreed to include the maximum TRP limits of -42 dBW/200 MHz for BS and -38 dBW/200 MHz for UE;
  • No specific limit for the protection of the EESS (passive) in the band 50.2-50.4 GHz and 52.6-54.25 GHz since it should be ensured by the existing generic spurious limits of −30 dBm/MHz applying to base stations;
  • Inclusion of a requirement that for outdoor base stations, each antenna shall normally be transmitting with the main beam pointing below the horizon and transmitting antenna shall have mechanical pointing below the horizon;
  • No specific in-block TRP limit for base stations or mobile terminal stations;
  • In case of unsynchronized or semi-synchronized operations, administrations may need to define appropriate mitigation measures, taking into account the current activities in ECC-PT1 on a toolbox for coexistence of MFCN in unsynchronized or semi-synchronized operations;
  • For UAS use, ECC agreed that communications in the direction from BS to UAV (i.e. the command and control link) in the 26 GHz band should be prevented. Use of the 26 GHz band for communications from UAS to BS (i.e. payload) may have a significant impact on separation distance from EESS/SRS earth stations, which requires further study. As a consequence, the ECC PT1 work item on UAS in MFCN bands was extended to include the 26 GHz band.
• CEPT Report 68, addressing the band 24.25-27.5 GHz in response to the EC Mandate on harmonised technical conditions for the introduction of 5G. It includes technical conditions consistent with the ones included in the ECC Decision(18)06.
• CEPT Report 67, addressing the band 3 400-3 800 MHz in response to the same EC Mandate. This report provides recommendations to update the existing regulatory framework in EC Decision 2014/276/EU focussing on the use of Active Antenna Systems (AAS) envisaged for 5G. Taking into account the responses received during the public consultation and the additional proposals submitted to the meeting, ECC discussed the remaining open issues and agreed on the following elements:
  • The technical conditions for unsynchronised operation would be applicable to all base stations, although the studies were limited to coexistence between outdoor stations. Further work is expected on indoor base stations under the Work Item on the toolbox for the synchronisation framework. Member States may define a relaxed alternative “restricted baseline power limit” applying to specific implementation cases to ensure a more efficient usage of spectrum.
  • The AAS technical conditions for the protection of radars below 3400 MHz should apply from 3400 MHz with flexibility given to administrations which have already implemented a guard band when issuing licences.
• ECC Report 281 on 3400-3800 MHz analysing the suitability of the regulatory technical conditions for 5G MFCN operation in the 3400-3800 MHz band. This ECC Report forms the technical basis of the analysis contained in CEPT Report 67.

In addition, ECC approved the following deliverables:

• New ECC Decision (18)04 on the harmonised use, exemption from individual licensing and free circulation and use of land based in-motion earth stations (ESIM) with GSO FSS satellite systems in the frequency bands 10.7-12.75 GHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz;
• New ECC Decision (18)05 on the harmonised use, exemption from individual licensing and free circulation and use of Earth Stations In-Motion (ESIM) operating with NGSO FSS satellite systems in the frequency bands 10.7-12.75 GHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz;
• New ECC Decision(18)01 on the withdrawal of ECC Decision (15)02 on BDA2GC in 1900-1920 MHz;
• New ECC Decision(18)02 on the withdrawal of ECC Decision (07)02 on BWA in 3400-3800 MHz;
• New ECC Decision(18)03 on the withdrawal of ERC Decision (01)08 on SRD used for movement detection and alert operating in the frequency band 2400-2483.5 MHz.

Approval of draft deliverables for Public consultation:

ECC approved for public consultation the following draft deliverables:  

• Draft revised ECC Decision(11)06 on “Harmonised frequency arrangements for mobile/fixed communications networks (MFCN) operating in the band 3400--3800 MHz ”: the proposed revision implements the technical conditions developed in CEPT Report 67 and ECC Report 281 (see above).
• Draft ECC Report 287 on the defragmentation of the band 3400-3800 MHz: this complements the activities on 5G for the band 3400-3800 MHz.
• Draft CEPT Report 69 in response to the permanent EC Mandate on technical conditions for UWB in view of a potential update of Commission Decision 2007/131/EC. The Public Consultation is planned to end on 20 August 2018. It was identified that, as part of the PC process, it would be appropriate to include a new Annex to draft CEPT Report 69 to specify the proposed amendments to Decision 2007/131/EC.

Public consultation on these 3 draft ECC Deliverables is expected to close on 20 August 2018.

Issues in progress

• EC Mandates on WAS/RLANs in 5925-6425 MHz: ECC noted the current status of the related compatibility studies within SE45 and of the regulatory considerations within FM57.
• EC Mandate on ITS: ECC considered the progress of the activities and the information from ETSI. ECC endorsed that the CEPT Report should investigate possible options for coexistence between applications/technologies, but without indicating any recommendations. ECC also endorsed that the range 5925 - 5935 MHz would be considered for Urban Rail (CBTC). ECC approved a liaison statement to ETSI to inform about the status of ECC considerations.
• 7^th update of EC Decision on SRDs: ECC noted the progress. The draft CEPT Report will be considered for approval for public consultation at the next ECC meeting.
• Activities related to 5G:
  • See above for the approval of deliverables related to the 3.5 and 26 GHz bands for 5G.
  • ECC noted the current work in ECC-PT1 related to the synchronisation of MFCN in the 3.4-3.8 GHz band.
  • Concerning the 26 GHz band, ECC noted the progress on the development of toolboxes for national administrations to manage the coexistence of 5G with FS, EESS/SRS Earth stations and FSS Earth stations respectively.
  • ECC noted the start of activities on 5G in the existing MFCN bands below 3 GHz.
  • ECC agreed that activities should be performed on the consideration of the full 57-71 GHz range for 5G and WiGig applications for general authorisation use.
  • Taking into account the progress achieved within ECC, the proposals from the Steering Group and the decisions taken during this meeting, ECC revised the CEPT Roadmap for 5G.
  • ECC approved two contributions to ITU-R TG5/1 discussed within CPG on the technical conditions for 5G at 26 GHz and on the revised CEPT roadmap respectively.
• Potential blocking of Mobile Earth Stations around 1518 MHz: ECC noted the difficulties in ECC/PT1 in making progress on this topic and agreed that the primary focus of the report needed to be a clear description and analysis of these proportionate solutions, which will be options for administrations to consider in their national authorisation process.
• Railway Mobile Radio (GSM-R and future mobile railway communications): ECC noted the considerations within WGFM on options for spectrum for Railway Mobile Radio (RMR) systems, covering the 900 MHz range, the 1900-1920 MHz band as well as spectrum within the 2290-2400 MHz range. ECC noted the need for complementary compatibility studies within WG SE and ECC PT1.
• Audio PMSE: CEPT administrations were invited to make available for audio PMSE in their countries the 2 bands recently included in ERC/REC/25-10 (i.e. 1350-1400 MHz and 1518-1525 MHz).

ECC discussed extensively whether the studies within WGFM and WGSE on the possible introduction of audio PMSE in the 960-1164 MHz band should continue. It was decided to task WGSE/SE7 to deliver a status report of the ongoing compatibility studies for consideration at the next WGFM and ECC meetings. WG FM was also tasked to provide a more detailed view to the next ECC meeting on deliverables to be developed. ECC will review the situation at its next meeting to clarify possible outcome of the activity, in terms of possible deliverables, noting that there is a need of having results which would be publicly available and which would provide complete information.

• Spectrum for drones: ECC endorsed the results from the CEPT workshop on spectrum for drones/UAS which took place on 29-30 May 2018 in Copenhagen and noted the ongoing activities within WG FM and ECC-PT1.
• Interference from 5GHz RLANs into meteorological radars: ECC discussed the latest information available on reported cases of interference from 5GHz RLANs into meteorological radars. ECC also considered the ECC action plan on the topic and confirmed the need for further action within FM22. The need for improved cooperation with national market surveillance and enforcement authorities was also highlighted. RSCom will be informed about the recent developments.
• SRD in 800/900 MHz: ECC endorsed the ECC SG conclusion that the ongoing activities related to the frequency ranges 870 - 876 MHz and 915 - 921 MHz should not cause a negative impact on the balance which is being achieved within RSCom between SRD, Defense and railways. The stability of the framework should be kept.
• Revision of ERC Recommendation 74-01: ECC considered the ongoing activities within WG SE/SE21 about the revision of ERC Recommendation 74-01 which contains the generic limits for unwanted emission in spurious domain. In particular, ECC noted the debate related to spurious limits for 5G systems and active antenna systems.
• Iridium NEXT satellites: ECC noted the progress in WGSE on the processing of results from the measurements in Leeheim.
• Review of ERC/ECC Decisions: ECC endorsed the proposals from WG FM to address the revision of a range of ECC Decisions. In particular, a number of ECC Decisions related to exemption of individual licence for earth stations will be revised to take into account the recently approved ECC Report 272 (earth stations operating in the vicinity of aircraft). In addition, ECC also noted the planned revision of ECC Decision (16)02 for the implementation of BB-PPDR in the band 410 - 430 MHz.
• Numbering and networks: ECC was informed by WG NaN chairman about 12 major developments in the field of electronic communications affecting all end-users and the regulatory work on numbering and networks. ECC has, through WG NaN, produced deliverables on several of the developments. ECC was specifically informed on the developments and WG NaN activities related to:
  • the increased fraud and misuse of numbering resources;
  • improved caller location of emergency calls.

General and organisational matters

• The next ECC meeting will have to appoint new Chair for ECC and for WG SE. The call for candidatures has been launched immediately after the ECC meeting.
• ECC reviewed the Work Programme of its working groups and of ECC PT1. ECC agreed that the FM work items where no recent activity has been carried out (on LSA and on maintaining the TDAB plans) can be closed. ECC also agreed the proposed updates of the PT1 work programme, including the closure of the item related to indoor MFCN coverage.

Events and tools supporting ECC

• ECC communications: ECC endorsed the proposals from ECO for the topics included in the August 2018 edition of the newsletter. Proposals related to further editions were noted. Possible thematic workshop for 2019 (e.g. on 5G and verticals) will be further discussed at the next ECC SG and ECC meetings.
• ECC website and databases: ECC was informed about the new meeting registration process on the website and about the new features of the Documentation Database. Other ongoing developments (PSAP, Chat, API) were noted.
• 700 MHz information repository: ECC agreed that the developments of the repository should be stopped and that the 700 MHz forum group should be closed. The repository remains available on the website with the possibility for administrations to continue uploading information if appropriate.
• Use of EFIS data by 3^rd party: the ECC endorsed the conclusion from the SG that information provided by administrations into EFIS is in the public domain and that it can be used by 3^rd (Offline discussions
• 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.

Cooperation with other organisations

• ECC noted the exchange between Com-ITU and CPG on the preparation for the Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-18).
• ECC noted the relevant information from ETSI covering the status of harmonised standards according to the RED, the development of System Reference Documents and other appropriate information.
• ECC considered the relevant information provided by the European Commission on RSCom, RSPG and TCAM activities. ECC discussed in particular the status of RSCom activities on IoT in the bands 874-876 and 915-921 MHz and noted the development of a new Mandate to CEPT on future railway systems.
• ECC tasked the ECC Chairman to conclude on the signature of an LoU with 5GAA.

Next meetings

The next meetings of ECC are planned as follows:

• ECC-M49: 23-26 October 2018, Bordeaux
• ECC-M50: 5-8 March 2019
• ECC-M51: 2-5 July 2019

Additional information on the key topics can be found here.

The minutes of the meeting are available here.