INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION RADIOCOMMUNICATION ADVISORY GROUP GENEVA, 23-25 JANUARY 1995 Document RAG95/11-E 12 December 1994 Original: English REPORT OF THE RAPPORTEUR ON WORK PROGRAMME AND STUDY GROUP STRUCTURE 1 Structure of Study Groups 1.1 Present situation At the CCIR Plenary in Düsseldorf (1990) Study Group 3 (HF systems) was deleted and integrated into Study Group 9. The work is now being continued by Working Party 9C of Study Group 9. Further, Study Groups 2 (Space research and radioastronomy services) and Study Group 7 (Standard frequencies and time signals) were merged into Study Group 7 called Science services. During the first Radiocommunication Assembly in Geneva (1993), the two propagation Study Groups 5 and 6 were merged and renamed Study Group 3, Radiowave propagation. Study Group 1 was tasked to develop ITU-R texts on long-term strategies for frequency spectrum management and to provide assistance to developing countries in cooperation with the Telecommunication Development Sector as given in Resolution ITU-R 4 (Annex 2). It was decided to continue Study Group 12, but renumber it as Study Group 2. ITU-R Study Group 2 works according to the principles given in Resolution ITU-R 4 (Annex 3). In addition the following mixed Working Parties were established, respectively reconfirmed: WP 10-11R: Recording for broadcasting WP 10-11S: Satellite broadcasting WP 4-9S: Frequency sharing between the fixed- satellite service and fixed services JWP 7-8R: Compatibility between active spaceborne sensors and systems in the radionavigation and radiolocation services 1.2 Conclusions Experience since the first Radiocommunication Assembly proved that the present organizational structure is adequate and efficient. The aspect of a possible merger of Study Groups 10 and 11 has been discussed in the Steering Group SG 10/11. The Group concluded that, for the moment, the work of the two Study Groups is too heavy to merge them, but it has to be done at a certain moment, together with the revision of the tasks and working methods of their Working Parties and Task Groups. Detailed results will be presented under agenda item 4.2. Study Group 12, now Study Group 2, which consists of two Task Groups, has been established on a temporary basis. Its continuation should be discussed under consideration of urgent tasks. 2 Work programme 2.1 Ongoing work 2.1.1 Preparations for WRC-95 Preparatory work for WRC-95 has a high priority in the Study Groups work programme. To meet the tight time-frame several Study Groups established specific Task Groups. Task Group 2/2 has been established to produce results on frequency sharing criteria within the range 1 - 3 GHz. Power limits for earth stations in the space science services near 2 GHz are considered by Working Party 7B. Technical constraints associated with the frequency bands below 3 GHz allocated to MSS are treated by Task Groups 2/2 and 8/3 in cooperation with Working Party 9D. Agenda items for WRC-95 identified for Study Group 3 by CPM-94 have been addressed by Task Group 3/1 and Working Party 3M. TG 3/1 has prepared up-to-date propagation information relating to mobile- satellite services at frequencies below 3 GHz, whilst WP 3M has provided propagation information concerning: i) slant-paths at higher frequencies (up to 35 GHz), ii) propagation methods for the evaluation of signal levels likely to cause interference, and iii) methods for the calculation of coordination distances. Reports containing the results of this work have been fed to Task Groups 8/3 and 2/2, and to Working Parties 7C and 10-11S. On the important issue of feeder links for the mobile- satellite service Study Group 4 established Task Group 4/5, Study Group 8, Task Group 8/3 and Working Party 4-9S, a Rapporteurs Group. Task Group 4/5 has been asked to coordinate and compile the text as "Leading Group". Task Groups 4/4 and 7/3 have concluded, in a well-coordinated manner, contributions to respond to Resolution 112 to be included in section 2.3 of the CPM Report. Working Party 10-11S produced a contribution to agenda item 3 of the CPM Report. Based on the contributions of these Working Parties and Task Groups, it is planned to prepare a draft consolidated report by the Chairman of CPM-95 during his meeting in mid-December 1994, in cooperation with the Vice-Chairmen of the CPM-95 and the relevant Study Group Chairmen. The goal is to circulate this draft Report by 10 February 1995. So far work is progressing very well within all Working Parties and Task Groups. It seems that the foreseen work programme will be met. However, the tight meeting schedule and overlapping meetings as for Task Groups 4/5 and 8/3 put a great burden on the delegates. This aspect should be considered in future meeting schedules. 2.1.2 Coordinating work with the T-Sector Experience shows that the division of work between the ITU-R and ITU-T Sectors as established during the Additional Plenipotentiary Conference in Geneva (1992) and confirmed at the Radiocommunication Assembly (1993) proves practicable. ITU-R Working Parties 9A and 4A reviewed the present structure of ITU-R Questions as asked for in Doc. TSAG/DT/88. A relevant document is presented to RAG 2 by the Chairmen of Study Groups 4 and 9. The established Intersector Coordination Groups (ICG on Satellite Matters and ICG on FPLMTS) are an important tool to guarantee that radio aspects are covered adequately in the standards produced by the T-Sector. Further information on these aspects may be covered under agenda item 6 (Coordination and cooperation with other Sectors). 2.1.3 Coordination and integration of the broadcasting activities in the ITU-R The RA-93 encouraged the establishment of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) of Study Groups 10 and 11 as a means to ensure a better coordination and integration of the broadcasting activities in the ITU-R. The JSC was to be established with participation open to other bodies outside ITU-R, including international and regional organizations. Meetings of the JSC were held on 27 February and on 25-25 October 1994 in Geneva. Membership includes: - Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Study Groups 10 and 11; - Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Working Parties and Task Groups of SGs 10 and 11; - Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of SG ITU-T 9; - international organizations: ITU-T (TSB), ITU-D (BDT), ISO, IEC, UNESCO, WBU; - broadcasting organizations: ABU, AIR, ASBU, CBU, EBU, NANBA, OTI, URTNA; - officials of the Study Groups. During the meetings the following terms of reference were adopted: - to harmonize the strategic planning for Study Groups 10 and 11; - to coordinate the activities of the Working Parties and Task Groups; - to organize the cooperation and coordination with other organizations; - to set up ad hoc Groups as required to ensure prompt resolution of issues that may arise; - to report to the Radiocommunication Advisory Group (RAG) on the progress of work; - to ensure that the special needs of the developing countries are taken into account in planning the work of the Study Groups. 2.1.4 Activities of ITU-R Study Group 10 Seventeen new or revised Questions have been approved by correspondence. They have been categorized and provisionally assigned to Working Parties or Task Groups by the Chairman of Study Group 10. Three Handbooks are in preparation by Study Group 10: one on digital sound broadcasting, prepared by JWP 10-11S and Working Party 10B, one on systems for HF broadcasting prepared by Working Party 10A and one on systems for LF and MF broadcasting prepared by Working Party 10A. 2.2 Long-term strategic aspects This subject may best be dealt with under item 7 (Strategic planning). Experiences stemming from the new working methods may be taken into account to prepare long-term strategic plans. Study Groups experienced great pressure to produce technical information based on requests from World Radio Conferences. An effective way to respond to this demand was to establish Task Groups on specific agenda items. The output of the Task Groups is compiled in the CPM Report to the WRC. These Task Groups have a clearly defined mandate and a limited lifetime. The other important task of Study Groups is the drafting of Recommendations. They are produced on the basis of Questions which contain the time-frame during which a Recommendation should be produced. This is normally the task of Working Parties. According to recent proposals of the VGE some of the ITU-R Recommendations may become an integral part of the Radio Regulations. Last but not least, the production of Handbooks should be carefully considered in cooperation with the ITU-D and market demands. Handbooks can be best produced by special, independently working Handbook Groups, assigned to a Study Group. ******