Agenda item 1.11

	Karen N. Gielen Executive Director,  International Regulatory Affairs Connexion by Boeing ITU 030067/Tony deLeo
			Agenda item 1.11:  "To consider possible extension of the allocation to the mobile-satellite service (Earth-to-space) on a secondary basis in the band 14–14.5 GHz to permit operation of the aeronautical mobile-satellite service as stipulated in Resolution 216 (Rev.WRC-2000)."

Member States attending  the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-03) have the opportunity to open the door for the commercial deployment of a new mobile information service: the two-way real-time broadband connectivity to aircraft passengers and crew. Already, Lufthansa and British Airways have successfully tested one such service on a demonstration basis over the North Atlantic. Delegates to the second Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM) for WRC-03 also had the opportunity to try the service on a test aircraft at the Geneva International Airport in November 2002 (see ITU News, March 2003).

This aeronautical mobile-satellite service (AMSS) will be offered to commercial airlines to provide their passengers full Internet access — including e-mail (with attachments), secure corporate intranet connectivity, shopping, travel destination information, and more. In addition, broadband connectivity will allow the airlines to improve their operational efficiencies by providing the ability for real-time monitoring of equipment and inventories — allowing for the faster turn-around of aircraft at the gate — as well as dynamic weather maps, crew information services and other non-safety-of-life services.

Agenda item 1.11 of WRC-03 addresses the possible broadening of the secondary mobile-satellite service (MSS) allocation in the band 14–14.5 GHz, based on the results of the technical studies performed by the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU–R) under Resolution 216 (Rev.WRC-2000). This frequency band already includes a secondary allocation to MSS — however, aeronautical MSS is excluded. Over the past study cycle, Working Party 8D (All mobile-satellite services and radiodetermination satellite service) has led an extensive programme of technical studies to analyse whether an AMSS allocation in the 14–14.5 GHz band would be compatible with the primary services allocated to the band, including the fixed-satellite and fixed services, and secondary services, including MSS, space research and radio astronomy services. In performing these studies, the Working Party reviewed system characteristics of two proposed AMSS systems.

Based on the contributions of Working Parties 4A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 9A and 9D*, Working Party 8D developed a Draft New Recommendation on the technical and operational requirements for aircraft earth stations operating in AMSS networks in the 14–14.5 GHz band. The new Recommendation is ready for approval by the Radiocommunication Assembly that will precede WRC-03 in June, and is provisionally known as DNR M.[AMSS] pending that approval. It affords technical guidelines for operation and licensing of AMSS networks to ensure compatible operations with other services operating in the band. The Working Party concluded that appropriately designed AMSS systems can operate on a secondary basis in the 14–14.5 GHz band without causing harmful interference to services having primary allocations in the band. Additional studies showed the feasibility of AMSS systems sharing with services operating under secondary allocations in this band. They concluded their work under Resolution 216 noting that this allocation could be broadened to include the AMSS secondary allocation and that no other regulatory changes are required.

Delegates at the second Conference Preparatory Meeting for WRC-03 preview a new high-speed Internet broadband service on board a test aircraft at the Geneva International Airport in November 2002

CPM confirmed these conclusions and provided two methods for allocating AMSS under Agenda item 1.11. Both methods would broaden the current secondary MSS allocation at 14–14.5 GHz by removing the current restriction "except aeronautical mobile-satellite service" from the Radio Regulations. Method B would accompany this action with a footnote incorporating by reference the Draft New Recommendation. These conclusions are described in Chapter 2 of the CPM Report (Section 2.4).

Many regional bodies, including the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL), the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT), the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), have prepared WRC-03 proposals to make the allocation to AMSS.

WRC-03 is thus set to take the final decisions that will propel this exciting new service into operation for the benefit of the airline industry and the world’s travellers, including weary ITU delegates. AMSS service is expected to be available over all the world’s major air routes by year-end 2005.