The ECC had its 57^th plenary meeting from 2 -5 November in Berlin (Germany). It gathered 131 registered participants – 19 of which present at the meeting – representing 31 CEPT administrations, counsellors, observers and the ECO.

The ECC meeting approved several of ECC deliverables related to satellite, MFCN/5G, cross-border coordination and terminals license-exemption and free circulation. The ECC agreed to publish CEPT Report 81 in response to the EC Mandate on 5G non-AAS connectivity for MCA in the 1800 MHz and the usage of an NCU in MCA. The ECC has also agreed to update the CEPT roadmap for 5G and beyond. Furthermore, the ECC has agreed on the way forward on the 40.5-43.5 GHz in response to the 3rd EC 5G Mandate.

Further details can be found in the minutes of the 57^th plenary meeting.

Here is a summary of the outcome from the meeting.

1. Final approval of deliverables for publication:

Taking into account the responses submitted during the relevant public consultations, the ECC meeting adopted for publication the following ECC deliverables:

• ECC Decision (21)01 on FSS uplink in Q&V bands
• ECC Decision (21)02 on HD-GBSAR
• ECC Decision (21)03 on the withdrawal of ERC/DEC/(95)01(free circulation and use of certain radio equipment)
• Amended ECC Decision (17)04 on fixed earth stations for NGSO FSS in the Ku band
• Updated ECC Decision (18)05 on ESIM for NGSO FSS in the Ku band
• Amended of ERC Decision (98)22 on DECT
• Revision of Annex 6 of Recommendation 70-03 on (SRD) radiodetermination
• ECC Report 331 on efficient usage of the spectrum at the border of CEPT countries between MFCN TDD networks in the frequency band 3400-3800 MHz
• ECC Recommendation 21(02) on LRTC for indoor small cells in 3400-3800 MHz
• CEPT Report 81 to the European Commission in response to the mandate on Mobile Communications on Aircraft (MCA)

 

2. Approval of draft deliverables for Public Consultation:

The ECC adopted for public consultation the following ECC deliverables:

• Draft revision of ECC Decision (06)13 on MFCN (900/1800 MHz) harmonised technical conditions for 5G
• Draft revision of ECC Decision (08)08 on Mobile communication on vessels in 1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz
• Draft revision of ECC Decision (12)01on license-exemption, free circulation and use of satellite mobile terminals (1 to 3 GHz)
• New ECC Decision (22)01 on license-exemption, free circulation and use of MFCN terminals
• Draft ECC Report 336 on technical conditions for 5G-NR non-AAS in 1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz on-board vessels
• Draft revision of ERC Decision (00)02 on the use of the band 37.5-39.5 GHz by FS/FSS and 39.5-40.5 GHz by FSS/MSS

ECC agreed that the closing date for the Public Consultation is 15 December 2021.

 

3. Other issues:

• 40 GHz: work is still underway in ECC PT1 in order to develop the CEPT Report in response to the 3rd EC 5G Mandate. The ECC agreed that no additional technical measures are needed to MFCN or FSS to enable compatibility at the 40.5 GHz boundary and that the draft ECC Decision on MFCN will include a clause to require a review after 3 years, or earlier if needed. Moreover, it was agreed to launch the public consultation on the revision of ERC Decision (00)02.
• EC mandate on shared use of the 3.8-4.2 GHz band for terrestrial local-area wireless broadband systems: the ECC decided to forward the mandate, once received by CEPT, to PT1 and WG FM and that PT1 can in the initial stage start working on the technical work of the mandate.
• Radio altimeters 4200-4400 MHz coexistence with MFCN in 3400-3800 MHz: it was agreed that this issue will have to be undertaken under the EC Mandate (see above). The ECC agreed to write a liaison to the Joint Working Group of EUROCAE/RTCA and to EASA to urgently request technical parameters for radio altimeters.
• EC letter on the use of WAS/RLAN on board aircraft following the studies in CEPT Report 79: the ECC agreed on the response to EC concluding, inter alia, that a transition period for installation of WAS RLAN in the aircraft in the upper 5 GHz band is justified and that it should be subject to a number of restrictions, in line with the conclusions of ECC Report 140.
• CEPT roadmap for 5G and beyond: the ECC plenary agreed to the updated roadmap considering the ECC deliverables adopted at the meeting.
• New Work item on WAS/RLAN in 6425-7125 MHz: the ECC agreed on the new WI on the basis that, inter alia, no regulatory measures shall be taken under this WI and that the work in preparation for WRC-23 agenda item 1.2 will run independently from the work conducted under this work item.
• Format of future meetings of the ECC and its subordinate groups: it was agreed to apply either ‘online’ or ‘hybrid’ meetings for at least the first half of 2022. The ECC Chairman further encouraged administrations to consider hosting hybrid meeting, since the capacities in the ECO facilities will become a bottleneck for ECC´s work, if ECC and its subordinated entities will rely on them solely.

 

Next meeting:

01 – 04 March 2022    (Hybrid/TBD)