Communications for all in East Africa
1 INTRODUCTION
The 9th meeting of the EACO Working Group 11 (WG11) on Spectrum Management was held on 21st -23rd November 2016 in Arusha, Tanzania.
The EACO Secretariat representative, Ms. Caroline Koech welcomed members to the meeting and thanked them for attending. In her opening remarks she informed the participants that this was the first meeting after EACO Assemblies meeting held in June 2016 in Kigali-Rwanda.
2 ATTENDANCE AND ELECTION/CONFIRMATION OF THE BUREAU
The meeting was attended by the participants from five EAC Administrations namely Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania and EACO Secretariat representative. South Sudan was not represented in the meeting. The list of participants is attached as Annex 1.
The WG11 elected the bureau as follows:
1. Eng. Deo BIZINDAVYi: Chairman –Burundi
2. Mr. Henry MUGABI: Vice Chair-Uganda
3. Mr. Georges KWIZERA: First Rapporteur –Rwanda
4. Mr. Fuad ADAM: Second Rapporteur –Tanzania
3 ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
An agenda was proposed by the Chairman. Amendments were made to the agenda. The adopted agenda and a detailed programme are as shown in Annex 2.
4 Meeting Proceedings
4.1 Consideration of the report of the 7th and 8th meeting of WG 11
Participants reviewed the report of the 7th and the 8th WG11 meetings. The 7th meeting of EACO WG 11 was held from 16th to 18th March 2016 in Arusha, Tanzania and the 8th EACO WG 11 meeting was held on 21st June 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda.
The following were noted from the review of the 7th and 8th WG11 meeting reports:
Noted 1: the meeting agreed to submit the following document to the EACO Assemblies for consideration and approval:
· Guidelines for TV White Space deployment within EACO region;
· WRC-15 outcome and strategies for WRC-19 preparation.
Noted 2: No progress on the request to ITU for workshop on Satellite regulations. The meeting agreed on the following course of action:
· EACO secretariat to follow up the request for ITU workshop on Satellites regulations;
· One of the EACO member countries should request ITU to host the next Regional Radiocommunication Seminar;
· Eng. Daniel OBAM, to seek information from ITU, if no country has yet proposed to host the next Regional Radiocommunication Seminar during WRS16;
· Eng. Daniel OBAM to request information from ITU, on the requirements for a country to host a Regional Radiocommunication Seminar.
4.2 Consideration of the report of the 23rd EACO Regulatory Assembly meeting held at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village, Kigali-Rwanda from 21st -24th June 2016
The meeting reviewed the report of the 23rd EACO Regulatory Assembly held at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village, Kigali-Rwanda from 21st -24th June 2016.
The following were noted from the review of the report:
Noted 1: The Regulatory Assembly agreed that EACO Secretariat will liaise with EAC secretariat on how agreed upon proposals from EACO can be put forward to the council of Ministers for further consideration.
Noted 2: The Regulatory Assembly approved the Guidelines on TV White Space deployment within EACO region.
Noted 3: The Regulatory Assembly noted the following documents:
· A report on WRC-15 outcomes, its impact on the EACO region and implementation strategies;
· A strategy report on WRC-19 preparations.
Noted 5: the issue of poor participation to WG11 meetings of the operators and the academia persists. The following course of action was proposed by the meeting:
· The host country should use utmost efforts to sensitize and engage other stakeholders including operators and academia prior to the meeting;
· The regulators of EACO countries to involve other stakeholders in Spectrum Management activities and meetings;
· The host country should also consider using media channels to raise the awareness about the meeting.
4.3 Consideration of the draft recommendation on a harmonized approach to domestic licensing and mutual license recognition of ESIMs and Consideration of the draft recommandation on a harmonized spectrum access approach and mutual recognition of national authorisations for wireless in-flight communications systems at sub-region level
EACO secretariat received a letter dated 19th October 2016, reference 90/10/ATU/PC/EACO-16, from ATU secretariat submitting the following proposals from consideration:
- Mutual licence and Type Approval Framework on Earth Stations in Motion (ESIMs), and
- Mutual licence and Type Approval Framework on Wireless In-flight Communications Systems.
The meeting reviewed the proposals and agreed on the following course of action:
· EACO secretariat to reply to ATU secretariat, acknowledging receipt of the proposals and informing them that they are being considered. EACO shall provide its position and proposals by the next ATU meeting for WRC-19 preparation(APM19-2);
· Kenya to prepare a document, by the end of February 2017, recommending WG11 meeting on the appropriate approach on the two proposals.
4.4 Harmonized spectrum policy framework
The meeting noted that the draft harmonized spectrum policy framework was finalized and submitted to the WG1 which deals with ICT Policy and Regulatory Frameworks Harmonization for inputs and comments. However, no feedback has been received yet. The meeting requested the EACO secretariat to follow up the issue.
4.5 Guidelines for the management and allocation of radio frequency spectrum (Dynamic Spectrum access including TV white space)
The meeting noted that the guidelines for TV White Space deployment were submitted and approved by the 23rd EACO Regulatory Assembly. It was agreed that Rwanda, the coordinator of this activity, shall update the document to include the guidelines on development of TV White Space database.
4.6 Report recommending on the protection of satellites orbital slots and efficient use of associated frequency spectrum
Rwanda informed the meeting that a report recommending EACO member countries on the protection of satellite orbital slots and efficient use of associated frequency spectrum is being developed and will be circulated to members before the next WG11 meeting, by the end of February 2017.
4.7 Consideration of the draft recommendation on the optimal usage of the specified band(s)-Digital Dividend Spectrum
Kenya informed the meeting that the document was at its final development stage and will be presented to the next WG11 meeting. The meeting agreed that Kenya circulate a draft document to the members by the end of February 2017.
4.8 Mechanism for cross-border frequency coordination
Mr. Henry MUGABI from Uganda, presented a draft mechanism for the frequency coordination to be used as a guideline for EACO countries during frequency coordination exercise that shall take place from 24th -25th November 2016. The meeting reviewed and adopted the mechanism. The mechanism is attached as Annex 3
4.9 The framework for regional agreement for frequency coordination
Uganda informed the meeting that the document is still under development and shall be presented in the next WG11 meeting. The meeting agreed that Uganda circulate the draft document to the members by the end of February 2017.
4.10 The digital dividend spectrum planning
Mr. Francis MIHAYO from Tanzania presented a document containing a compilation of responses from EACO Member States to the questionnaire on Digital Dividend spectrum. He also presented the proposed structure for the Digital Dividend spectrum planning report.
The meeting noted that, the report should be finalized as soon as possible, since some of the EACO countries have commenced with assignment of the second digital dividend spectrum.
The meeting agreed that the draft report shall be circulated to members for comments and inputs by the end of February 2017.
4.11 Preparation for WRC-19
Mr. Georges KWIZERA from Rwanda presented to the meeting the current status of WRC-19 preparation within EACO Region.
The following were noted from the presentation:
Noted 1: during the workshop on WRC-15 outcome which was held in Arusha-Tanzania from 14th -15th March 2016, EACO chapter coordinators and their assistants were appointed as follows:
(i). Mr. Deo BIZINDAVYI, from BURUNDI will coordinate all WRC-19 preparatory activities
(ii). CHAPTER 1 : Land mobile and fixed services(Agenda items:1.11, 1.12, 1.14, 1.15)
Rapporteur:Mr. Henry MUGABI-UGANDA
Assistant: Ms. Stella BANYENZA-TANZANIA
(iii). CHAPTER 2 : Broadband applications in the mobile service (Agenda items: 1.13, 1.16, 9.1 (issues 9.1.1, 9.1.5, 9.1.8))
Rapporteur: Mr. Wako GABABO-KENYA
Assistant: Ms. Sarah KABAHUMA-UGANDA
(iv). CHAPTER 3: Satellite services (Agenda items:1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 7, 9.1 (issues 9.1.2, 9.1.3, 9.1.9)
Rapporteur: Mr. Georges KWIZERA-RWANDA
Assistant: Ms. Anne Kinyanjui-KENYA
(v). CHAPTER 4: Science services(Agenda items:1.2, 1.3, 1.7)
Rapporteur: Mr. Clovis NUGAME-BURUNDI
Assistant: Mr. George KASANGAKI-UGANDA
(vi). CHAPTER 5 : Maritime, aeronautical and amateur services(Agenda items: 1.1, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 9.1 (issue 9.1.4))
Rapporteur: Mr. Othman KHATIB-TANZANIA
Assistants:
- Mr. Juma MALOVA (maritime)-KENYA
- Mr. Eurald GAKWANDI(Aeronautical)-RWANDA
(vii). CHAPTER 6 : General issues(Agenda items: 2, 4, 9.1 (issues 9.1.6, 9.1.7), 10)
Rapporteur: Mr. Peter NGIGE-KENYA
Assistant: Mr. Francis MIHAYOTANZANIA
Noted 2: the first ATU preparatory meeting (APM19-1) was held in Nairobi-KENYA from 19th -22nd September 2016. A detailed report is attached as annex 4
Noted 3: the APM19-1 adopted WRC-19 APM structure. The terms of Reference of the Working Groups are attached as Annex 5. The Working Groups Chairs and Vice-chairs were appointed as shown on the ANNEX 6
Note 4: EACO proposed names of EACO members to ATU to coordinate some of WRC-19 Agenda Items. The proposed list is attached as annex 7
Noted 5: the meeting discussed some developments within ITU Working Parties regarding some WRC-19 Agenda Items as shown below:
· ITU-R WP 4A:
o Regarding WRC19 Agenda Item 9.1 issue 9.1.3 on sharing between Broadcasting Satellite Service (sound) and IMT in the frequency band 1 452-1 492 MHz, China is planning to launch a BSS(sound) Satellite in this band and It may impose unnecessary constraints on IMT. EACO countries are encouraged to closely follow up the issue.
o Regarding WRC19 Agenda Item 1.5 on Earth Stations In Motion (ESIMs), a number of working Document are being developed on the operation of earth stations in motion (ESIMs) communicating with geostationary space stations in the fixed-satellite service allocations at 17.7-19.7 GHz and 27.5-29.5 GHz. EACO countries are encouraged to follow up the studies and take them into consideration in studying ATU proposal on licensing harmonization and mutual license recognition of ESIMs within EACO region.
· ITU-R WP 5D: Regarding WRC19 Agenda Item 1.13 on candidate bands for IMT, the meeting noted that USA and the Republic of Korea are conducting studies on deployment of IMT services in 28 GHz frequency band which is not among the proposed candidate bands by WRC-15. EACO countries are invited to take note of the development.
4.12 Review and update of WG 11 action plan
The meeting reviewed and updated the WG11 action plan of the year 2016/2017.
The updated action plan is attached as ANNEX 8.
5 NEXT MEETING
The next EACO WG 11 meeting shall be held in March 2017. The actual dates and the venue of the meeting shall be confirmed by the EACO secretariat.
6 CLOSING
The chairman Eng. Deo Bizindavyi thanked members for their active participation. He gave special thanks to the EACO secretariat for facilitating the meeting. He urged the participants to regularly consult the action plan for the update progress of the activities.
There being no other business, the meeting was closed at 1300 hours on 23rd November 2016.
Prepared in Arusha, on 23rd November 2016
...... / ...... / ......Eng. Deo Bizindavyi Chairman / Mr. Georges KWIZERA
First Rapporteur / Mr. Fuad ADAM
Second Rapporteur
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Annex 1: Meeting of Working Group 11and WRC 15: Spectrum Management
21ST – 23rd November 2016 ARUSHA, TANZANIA
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
NAME / ORGANIZATION / EMAIL1. / Caroline Koech / EACO /
2. / Georges Kwizera / RURA /
3. / Frederick NTOBI / TCRA /
4. / Francis F. S. Mihayo / TCRA /
5. / George Charles / TCRA /
6. / Henry Mugabi / UCC /
7. / Deo Bizindavyi / ARCT /
8. / Fuad Adam / TCRA /
9. / Fredrick Kabusia / Safaricom /
10. / Nikola S. Mgalla / TCRA /
11. / Daniel Obam / NCS Kenya /
12. / Lawi Odiero / TCRA /
13. / Charles GITONGA / CA /
14. / Said H Athumani / TTCL /
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ANNEX 2: AGENDA AND PROGRAMME
WG11 MEETING 21-23 NOVEMBER 2016
1. Registration
2. Opening of the meeting
3. Election/Confirmation of The Bureau
4. Adoption of the Agenda
5. Consideration of the minutes of the 7th and 8thmeeting of WG 11
6. Consideration of the report of the 23th EACO regulatory Assembly
7. Consideration of the draft recommandation on a harmonized approach to to domestic licensing and mutual licence recognition of ESIMs
8. Consideration of the draft recommandation on a harmonized spectrum access approach and mutual recognition of national authorisations for wirelwss inflight communications systems at sub-region level
9. Status update for the activities in progress as per the Action Plan
10. Frequency coordination
11. Consideration and Adoption of the Report
12. Closing the meeting.
PROGRAMME OF THE 9TH WG11 MEETING HELD IN ARUSHA TANZANIA FROM 21 TO 23 NOVEMBER, 2016
ANNEX 3: MECHANISM FOR CROSS-BORDER FREQUENCY COORDINATION
ANNEX 4: THE REPORT OF THE FIRST ATU PREPARATORY MEETING FOR WRC19 PREPARATION
ANNEX 5: TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ATU WORKING GROUPS FOR WRC19 PREPARATIONS
ANNEX 6: CHAIRS AND VICE-CHAIRS OF ATU WORKING GROUPS FOR WRC19 PREPARATIONS
ANNEX 7: NAMES OF EACO MEMBERS PROPOSED TO ATU FOR COORDINATION OF SOME WRC-19 AGENDA ITEMS
ANNEX 8: UPDATED WG11 ACTION PLAN
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