ITU Radiocommunication Sector and WRC-03
The last decades have witnessed an unprecedented technological development in the field of radiocommunications, resulting in the expansion of a growing range of services and applications, from aircraft and maritime navigation to wireless telephony, satellite broadcasting and scientific research, Earth-exploration and satellite news gathering, to name just but a few. Such services and applications increase the demand for radio frequencies and geostationary satellite orbit positions, which are limited natural resources, and for international coordination to avoid harmful interference. The mission of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is to ensure that all countries get equitable access to satellite orbit space, and that the various bands of the radio-frequency spectrum are used rationally, efficiently and economically, with particular attention to the specific needs of developing countries. At the ITU, this mission is endorsed by the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R). Supported by the Radiocommunication Bureau, world radiocommunication conferences in particular play a vital role in regularly updating the basis for allocation and use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.
WRC-03 Background
Based on the agenda proposed by WRC-2000 and approved by the ITU Council and on the technical work carried on within Radiocommunication Study Groups - included in the report of the Conference Preparatory Meeting -, spectrum allocation to, and sharing by various services will be addressed at the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-03), to be held in Geneva from 9 June to 4 July 2003. WRC-03 will update the Radio Regulations - the binding international treaty that governs the worldwide allocation and use of the radio-frequency spectrum by all radio-based services.
Since the mid-90's, intensive research has been carried out with a view to deploying new non- geostationary satellite constellations to deliver voice telephony, internet access and broadband data services via satellite. Services using geostationary satellites have also progressed steadily, be it to support the rising demand for direct broadcast, the first steps towards interactive television and digital cinema, the emergence of high-speed Internet, or the expansion of wireless corporate networking. All necessitate the development of technical sharing criteria and arrangements to ensure that neither type of satellite system would cause harmful interference to the smooth functioning of the other or to other wireless terrestrial services. All also need the support of the Radiocommunication Bureau to ensure that international notification, registration and coordination are smoothly and fairly managed.
WRC-03 will be key in updating the regulatory framework, as well as the sharing scenarios and methodologies in order to ensure a fair and efficient use of the radio-frequency spectrum to enable the various industry segments to deploy new services or expand existing ones to generate capacity for new services and technologies. In this regard, the work carried out by ITU-R study groups, the Special Committee on Regulatory and Procedural Matters and the Conference Preparatory Committee in preparation for WRC-03 makes possible the necessary technical and operational bases on which to take sound decisions.
Preparations for WRC-03 have occurred in many ways:
Technical studies in ITU-R Study Groups in response to requirements in numerous Resolutions from WRC-2000 The CPM (Conference Preparatory Meeting) Report, November 2002, brought together the results of the Study Groups work and incorporating the outcome from the Special Committee on Regulatory and Procedural Matters Preparations within a large number of Administrations of Member States (often through government and industry-based preparatory groups) Regional preparations through Regional based Telecommunication Organizations such as CEPT (European countries), CITEL (Americas), APT (Asia-Pacific countries), ATU (African countries) and Arab Countries.
The Issues of WRC-03
The radiocommunication issues to be dealt with at WRC-03 were grouped during the Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM) as the following:
Radionavigation (terrestrial and satellite) and radiolocation issues Mobile, mobile satellite and space science services Fixed-satellite and broadcasting services Fixed and Fixed-satellite services (incorporating High Altitude Platform Services - HAPS) Maritime mobile, amateur, amateur satellite and broadcasting services in medium frequency and high frequency bands Equitable access to satellite orbit and frequency resources
1. Radionavigation (terrestrial and satellite) and radiolocation issues
The five agenda items related to this issue mainly concern the allocation of frequencies for air navigation systems (in cooperation with ICAO), airport landing systems, protection ratios for radionavigation satellite systems including protection in new allocations at WRC-2000 for GPS, Galileo and Glonass, radiolocation (radar) protection.
The additional allocations enabled the development of multiple systems to provide GPS capability, such as Galileo. However, while the green light was given to the Europeans 'Galileo' at WRC-2000, which it wanted in order to reduce its dependency upon a single global system, a number of follow-up items remain that could again turn up the heat on this debate.
As well, discussion can be expected to occur on a number of issues including the appropriate technical solution for sharing between radiolocation, radionavigation and space research, and GSO FSS in the band 13.75-14 GHz (mainly antenna size).
2. Mobile, mobile satellite and space science services
The ten agenda items within this area focus on a number of issues including:
Globally and regionally harmonized bands for future advanced solutions to meet the needs of public protection agencies (emergency situation, disaster relief, etc.). There appears to be wide support for the principle and for the solutions presented in the CPM Report, however WRC-03 will need to resolve the differences between administrations where they arise. New allocations for various services at 5150-5725 MHz (such as Radio LAN's and Fixed Wireless Access systems (for high-speed Internet access). The need to identify the most suitable solution to this issue is expected to generate significant discussion. The challenge will be to 'squeeze-in' requests for new allocations into an already tightly packed frequency table, while at the same time not compromising existing services. Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Services in the 14-14.5 GHz band. There is a need to recognize a growing demand for two-way broadband communication by passengers and operators of commercial and business aircraft. A number of technical and regulatory approaches to meeting this demand will be discussed. A number of proposals have been made concerning the allocation and associated regulatory issues for space science services to support deep space exploration. These are outlined in the CPM Report and include various technical and operational studies, which will frame the debate at WRC-03. There have been long-standing requests for spectrum to be made available for new allocations for NGSO-MSS (little LEO's) for both feeder links and service links at 1.4 GHz and below 1 GHz to meet the demand for 'niche' services such as electrical meter reading or stolen vehicle tracking. However, there appears to be little support for these allocation requests across all of the major regional groups. There is a need to obtain more spectrum space for Mobile satellite allocation at 1-3 GHz. This is needed to meet emergency demand and reduce current congestions. While the CPM Report has identified a number of possible scenarios to facilitate sharing with and between existing services in these bands, the issue is expected to generate significant discussion at WRC-03. Many administrations see significant long-term benefits in harmonization of spectrum for public protection and disaster relief in emergency situations, however, how these services can or should be grouped together is a point of contention. The technical, operational and regulatory issues relating to the operation of High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) to provide IMT-2000 applications at 2 GHz will be dealt with. Provisions for the operation of HAPS were originally made at WRC-97 and the use of HAPS for IMT-2000 was considered at WRC-2000. The latter Conference resolved to undertake some further studies. A way forward is expected to be outlined by delegates at WRC-03, using the CPM Report as a framework for discussion. Consideration will be given to providing up to 6 MHz of spectrum to the Earth Exploration Satellite Service in the band 420-470 MHz band. This is needed to meet an urgent need for observations of forest cover and the rate of forest degradation in temperate regions as well as mapping of continental ice (Antarctica) and permafrost mapping. A number of possible solutions have been proposed in the CPM Report, and these will certainly generate discussion at WRC-03.
3. Fixed-satellite and broadcasting services
The eight agenda items under consideration within this broad category involve:
A review of procedure and sharing criteria as well as the results of studies and consultation undertaken by the Radiocommunication Bureau concerning protection of Broadcast Satellite Systems (BSS) Plans approved at WRC-2000. There are a number of issues to be dealt with here, such as, the minimum size antenna that may be protected (45 or 60 cm) on which there are divergent views. It has been proposed that these issues be allocated to one Committee within the Conference structure, specifically for these issues alone. Consideration of the results of studies concerning sharing between Geostationary Satellite Orbits (GSO) and non-GSO systems. The CPM Report contains a number of options but agreement on the most suitable one will be challenging. The desire for non-GSO satellites to operate in spectrum space used by GSO satellites has created a complex technical challenge for spectrum 'sharing' and while studies have been undertaken, a number have yet to be completed. Consideration of possible changes to the procedures for satellite coordination and notification. This issue has generated considerable debate at WRC-97, WRC-2000 and various conferences and meetings, including PP-98 and PP-02 on ways to improve satellite process and eliminate the long backlogs in these processes. The debate can be expected to be complex and there are considerable differences of view on the necessary changes needed for conference consideration. To review the results of studies concerning frequency sharing between Broadcasting Satellite Systems (BSS) (Sound) and terrestrial services in the band 2535-2655 MHz. This issue relates to sharing and mutual protection between terrestrial IMT-2000 systems and non-GSO BSS. The CPM Report presents a variety of options on which there are differing views. To consider regulatory and technical provisions for satellite networks using highly elliptical orbits. The CPM Report contains the results of studies and presents various regulatory and technical options, but it may take some effort to finalize a result within the Conference.
4. Fixed and Fixed-satellite services (incorporating High Altitude Platform Services - HAPS)
The CPM Report contains the results of a number of studies in regards to HAPS that follow the decisions taken at WRC-2000 as well as regulatory issues to consider. For example, if a HAPS is supported by a dirigible balloon, it then falls somewhere between the definition for a fixed or fixed satellite service? The Regional Groups have taken various approaches to this issue, which will most certainly create debate.
As well, there are several fixed and FSS issues on the agenda regarding frequency allocation that should be resolved by WRC but a related issue of Earth stations on board vessels is expected to provide a challenge to the Conference. These earth stations operate within fixed satellite service networks but with a mobile capability by virtue of their use on ships, and can provide high-speed data, voice and video applications. The provision of such services has created regulatory challenges for some administrations. Issues related to technical operation and interference protection (linked to antenna size) will also be raised.
5. Maritime mobile, amateur, amateur satellite and broadcasting services in medium frequency and high frequency bands
The introduction of a new digital modulation technique is essential to the continued improvement and development of HF (short-wave) services. There appears to be broad acceptance of an arrangement proposed for the transition to digital modulated schemes.
A number of maritime related issues will be dealt with during WRC-03. These include: maritime mobile identity numbering, ship-to-shore priorities and measures to address harmful interference in maritime mobile bands. A number of measures to improve maritime communication and maritime safety have been approved and which appear to have relatively wide support.
6. Equitable access to satellite orbit and frequency resources
WRC-03 will consider a number of regulatory and procedural matters such as equitable access to satellite orbit and frequency resources. These matters are also a concern for a number of developing countries.
Improvements to procedures for the co-ordination of satellite systems and the work undertaken by the Radiocommunication Bureau in processing these proposals will also be examined by the conference and lessons learnt from practical experience in administering procedures since WRC-2000 will be brought to bare on the debate. However, further improvements to the roles played by Administrations, the Bureau and the Radio Regulations Board on this issue will also be the focus of debate.
|
