Draft CEPT Brief on Agenda Item 1.7

Draft CEPT Brief on agenda item 1.7

1.7to consider the results of ITU-R studies in accordance with Resolution222 (Rev.WRC-07) in order to ensure long-term spectrum availability and access to spectrum necessary to meet requirements for the aeronautical mobile-satellite (R) service, and to take appropriate action on this subject, while retaining unchanged the generic allocation to the mobile-satellite service in the bands 1525-1559MHz and 1626.5-1660.5MHz

Issue

The Agenda Item covers the following issues:

Resolution 222 (WRC-07)

invites ITU-R

to conduct, in time for consideration by WRC-11, the appropriate technical, operational and regulatory studies to ensure long-term spectrum availability for the aeronautical mobile-satellite (R) service (AMS(R)S) including:

(i)to study, as a matter of urgency, the existing and future spectrum requirements of the aeronautical mobile-satellite (R) service;

(ii)to assess whether the long-term requirements of the AMS(R)S can be met within the existing allocations with respect to No. 5.357A while retaining unchanged the generic allocation for the mobile-satellite service in the bands 1 525-1 559 MHz and 1 626.5-1 660.5 MHz, and without placing undue constraints on the existing systems operating in accordance with the Radio Regulations;

(iii)to complete studies to determine the feasibility and practicality of technical or regulatory means, other than the coordination process referred to in resolves 1 or the means considered in Report ITU-R M.2073, in order to ensure adequate access to spectrum to accommodate the AMS(R)S requirements as referenced in resolves 3 above, while taking into account the latest technical advances in order to maximize spectral efficiency;

(iv)if the assessment identified in invites ITU-R (i) and (ii) indicates that these requirements cannot be met, to study existing MSS allocations or possible new allocations only for satisfying the requirements of the aeronautical mobile satellite (R) service for communications with priority categories 1 to 6 of Article 44, for global and seamless operation of civil aviation taking into account the need to avoid undue constraints on existing systems and other services.

Preliminary CEPT position

CEPT supports the interest of the WRC-12 Agenda Item 1.7 for accommodating existing and future AMS(R)S operational requirements in Europe.

CEPT also recognises that the generic MSS allocations 1 525-1 559 MHz and 1 626.5-1 660.5 MHz are utilised by different MSS systems for a range of applications including aeronautical safety communications referred in No 5.357A and non-safety communications.

Considering that studies within CEPT show that the long term aviation requirements would not be higher than 3.3 MHz in the forward link and 1.3 MHz in the return link in 2025 over Europe, CEPT concludes that the AMS(R)S requirements can be met within the 2x10 MHz bands identified by footnote No. 5.357A, in order to take advantage of the existing usage of these frequency bands for AMS(R)S, without placing undue constraints on the existing systems operating in accordance with the Radio Regulations.

However, CEPT will continue the studies to see whether the current regulatory provisions are sufficient or not to ensure long-term spectrum availability and accessto spectrum for AMS(R)S in those bands and whether changes to the current radio regulations are required.

Background

Before the WRC-97 the band 1545-1555 MHz and 1646.5-1656.5 MHz was allocated to the AMS(R)S (see Fig.1 below). At the initiative of MSS operators and their Administrations and from the fact that such allocation was lightly utilised, contributions to the WRC-97 proposed to convert the whole range of frequencies between 1525-1559MHz and 1626,5-1660.5 MHz (except the SAR bands 1544-1545MHz and 1645.5-1646.5 MHz) this allocation to a generic MSS allocation.

Then at WRC-97, the bands 1525-1559 MHz (space-to-Earth) and 1626.5-1660.5MHz (Earth-to-space) were allocated to the mobile-satellite service (MSS) to facilitate the assignment of spectrum to multiple MSS systems in a flexible and efficient manner (See figure 1). However, provisions were put into the ITU RR, i.e. footnote No.5.357Afor the bands 15451555MHz and 1646.5-1656.5MHz, which gives priority to accommodate spectrum requirements for AMS(R)S and protection from unacceptable interference to aviation safety communication applications providing transmission of messages with priority categories 1 to 6 as defined in Article44. CEPT supported those proposals. This footnote was expected to meet the AMS(R)S requirements.

With this solution the AMS(R)S spectrum needs are currently being requested and assigned through a spectrum coordination assignment process under an MSS multilateral frequency coordination meeting, as agreed upon by Administrations having notified MSS systems through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Hence, the coordination and assignment of spectrumto MSS networks in these frequency allocation is carried out through yearly multilateral Operator Review Meetings (ORM) . This is a dynamic process, allowing for the frequency assignments to each operator to be reviewed annually and only for the next year.

The projected spectrum requirements for AMS(R)S applications are included in the discussions of spectrum assignment of the ORM.

Figure 1 Historical changes to the global L-Band MSS allocations

The spectrum in the bands 1525-1559 MHz and 1 626.5-1 660.5 MHz is currently used by several MSS operators for provision of MSS services in Europe (including Inmarsat and ESA, which are based in Europe). The spectrum in the bands for which No 5.357A applies is currently used for safety and non-safety applications.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of the MLM is the agreement between Administrations of MSS systems. Under the current Multi-Lateral Meetings (MLM) process, agreed by the notifying administrations of the MSS systems, within the MoU, priority is afforded to AMS(R)S communications in accordance with the provisions of the Radio Regulations, including No. 5.357A and the Resolves of Resolution 222.The MLM meetings happen as required and they are less frequent than the ORM.

Some views are that under the current coordination process between operators (ORM), the capacity-planning approach leads to difficulties for new or existing AMS(R)S systems to get priority access to spectrum within the frequencies specified by No. 5.357A.

Other views are that the ORM coordination process within the MoU does give the required priority to AMS(R)S communications in accordance with the Radio Regulations.

[However, since in Region 1 & 3 the yearly ORM frequency coordination and frequency assignment meetings are attended only by the MSS operators, the discussions and conclusions of such meetings are not known by Administration and also could result to difficulties for new and existing AMS(R)S systems to get priority access to spectrum.] As is usual in the ITU-R, frequency coordination agreements are confidential to the notifying administrations.

[In several occasions, ORM meetings resulted in no agreement being reached and the spectrum assignments of the previous year continued to apply.

However, to date the coordination process has satisfied the spectrum requirements of the AMS(R)S operators. No dissatisfaction with the coordination outcome for the AMS(R)S operator has been raised to the level of requiring actions by the notifying administrations.]

Additionally, as there are two different and independent regional MLM and ORM entities, one for Region 2 and one for Region 1 & 3, there could bedifficulties to synchronise spectrum assignments for AMS(R)S systems between Region 2 and Region 1 & 3. [Note: some notifying administrations are attending both MoUs. Some systems need to coordinate in both Regions]

The SESAR[1] Joint Undertaking (SJU) was created under European Community law on 27 February 2007, with EUROCONTROL and the European Community as founding members, in order to manage the SESAR Development Phase. In addition to the two founding members, 15 organisations have already shown a strong interest in the SJU initiative and are currently finalising their membership agreement. The identification of stable spectrum access for AMS(R)S is now integrated in SESAR program and will be closely followed by the SJU.SESAR is expected to be operational from 2020. Before 2020, it is expected to have some pre-operational deployment of the system. Under the SESAR framework, ESA is developing an AMS(R)S satellite link in the frequency bands (i.e. 1545-1555 MHz and 1646.5-1656.5 MHz) under the ESA ARTES 10 programme named “Iris”. If “Iris” receives the necessary approval and funding, it is expected that the first payload would be launched around 2015. Other options are also considered, including using existing satellite to accommodate AMS(R)S requirements.

It has also to be noted that implementing normalized ICAO standards onboard aircrafts need long-term and stable spectrum availability.

At September 2009 meeting of WP 4C, the framework for WRC-11 Agenda Item 1.7 was revised for the 2008-2011 study period. It assigns different tasks that need to be done to the coming meetings of WP 4C.

Studies on the spectrum requirement:

CEPT considers that WP 4C, in accordance with A.I. 1.7, have studied only AMS(R)S spectrum requirement for Air Traffic Management(ATM) communications for aircrafts,which also includeAir Traffic Control messages directly to/from aircraft of Unmanned Aircraft Systems(UAS).Communications specific to UASs, i.e. Air Traffic Control Relay, Command And Control, Sense and Avoid, are studied within WP 5B.

The aviation communications requirements are based on flight models and aviation communication requirements per flight and take the form of the aggregate information volume over a given airspace (e.g. European airspace, or smaller area). This then is combined with satellite system characteristics to determine the overall bandwidth requirements per coverage region.

Studies and results, conducted by ESA, are based on the following assumptions:

• COCR[2] V2 which provides a list of aviation safety communication services of Air Traffic Service (ATS), Aeronautical Operational Control (AOC) and Network Management (NET) services applicable to the satellite link;

• Flight domains applicable to the aviation services through a satellite infrastructure taken from the COCR V2;

•Busiest day of the year, IFR flights between 12:00 and 18:00 UTC;

•Medium growth taken from the Eurocontrol traffic estimation;

• Airspace region: the Geostationary satellite view covering the European region

The results of ESA studies, which assume that all the European aviation communication traffic in the year 2025 is carried out through the satellite link (the studies assumed that there is no VHF terrestrial operation use):

-For the forward link between 2.1 MHz in the optimal case and 3.3 MHz in the conservative case;

-For the return link around 1.3 MHz

Results from other studies carried out by Inmarsat are that in year 2025:

-For the forward link between 0.4 and 0.7 MHz in the optimal case and 2.9 MHz in the conservative case. The 0.7 figure assumes that the traffic is carried in broadcast mode. The 0.4 figure assumes broadcast mode and that a portion of the traffic is carried by the terrestrial infrastructure;

-For the return link around 0.24 MHz.

Additionally, the preliminary results of the September 2009 WP4C show that the global overall spectrum requirements for AMS(R)S at about 2025 will not exceed the 2 x 10 MHz. These figures are under consideration and the first set of results which assumes larger spot beams configuration than in the cases above is as follows:

-For the forward link between 2.6 MHz in the optimal case and 4.2 MHz in the conservative case;

-For the return link around 1.6 MHz.

The development of a preliminary draft report on the estimation of the AMS(R)S spectrum requirements has also been started.

Studies whether the existing bands covered by Resolution 222 are sufficient to meet AMS(R)S long term requirements without placing undue constraints on existing systems:

One administration believes the impacts of meeting these requirements through the spectrum resource identified in Ν 5.357А on already existing MSS systems operating in the frequency bands 1525-1559 MHz and 1626.5-1660.5 MHz have not yet been studied.

To complete studies to determine the feasibility and practicality of technical or regulatory means, other than the coordination process referred to in resolves 1 or the means considered in Report ITU-R M.2073, in order to ensure adequate access to spectrum to accommodate the AMS(R)S requirements as referenced in resolves 3 above, while taking into account the latest technical advances in order to maximize spectral efficiency:

Some administrationsare of the view that no regulatory change is needed to the Art. 5 of the Radio Regulations and propose a modification of ITU Resolution 222that ensures priority access to spectrum for AMS(R)S systems providing aviation safety communication services.

Other administrations are of the view that no regulatory changes are needed to the Art. 5 of the Radio Regulations other than consequential changes to Resolution 222 to remove the current invites.

If necessary, studies about existing MSS allocations or possible new allocations only for satisfying the requirements of the aeronautical mobile satellite (R) servicethat could not be accommodated in frequency bands referred to in No 5.357A,taking into account the need to avoid undue constraints on existing systems and other services:

CEPT studies have shown that it is not necessary to study existing MSS allocations or possible new allocations to satisfy the requirements of the aeronautical mobile satellite (R) service.

One administration is of the view that order to ensure adequate access to spectrum to accommodate the AMS(R)S requirements and avoid the coordination process referred to in resolves 1 as mentioned in invites iii) above and also taking into account that the long-term AMS(R)S spectrum requirements up to the year 2025 will not exceed 2x10 MHz, it is reasonable to initiate studying new allocations for AMS(R)S, other than 1.5/1.6 GHz bands. The long-term AMS(R)S spectrum requirements will be surely accommodated within new allocations, making up only a small portion of new higher frequency bands contrary to overloaded L- bands.In this respect the frequency band 5000-5150 MHz allocated to AMS(R)S on a primary basis in accordance with RR 5.367 can be used. This frequency band is also under consideration under A.I. 1.3.

List of relevant documents

Reports:

ITU-R M.2073 – “Feasibility and practicality of prioritization and real-time preemptive access between different networks of mobile-satellite service in the bands 1 525-1 559 MHz and 1 626.5-1 660.5 MHz”

* ITU-R documents from WPs:

* 4C/338 Annex 09 of Chairman Report - Working document towards a preliminary draft new Report ITU-R M.[AMSRS SPECTRUM ESTIMATE] - AMS(R)S communication requirements forecasts and estimated future spectrum requirements

* 4C/338 Annex 14 of Chairman Report – Working document toward draft CPM text on WRC-12 Agenda item 1.7.

* 4C/338 Annex 15 of Chairman Report – Work Plan for WRC-11 A.I. 1.7 (Resolution 222 (WRC-07))

Actions to be taken

Develop the ECP with possible modification or deletion of Resolution 222.

Relevant information from outside CEPT

European Union

Regional telecommunication organisations

APT (September 2009)

APT are of the view that,

(1) further study to ensure the long-term access to required spectrum for AMS(R)S in 1.5/1.6 GHz bands is needed taking into account of difficulty of giving priority to AMS(R)S in a practical manner.

(2) support the studies being conducted by ITU-R WP4C which develop the methodology for estimation of the aeronautical mobile satellite (R) service spectrum requirements for global and seamless operation of civil aviation taking into account of existing services.

(3) support studies into appropriate regulatory provisions to ensure long-term spectrum availability and access for AMS(R)S in the current, revised and/or eventual new allocations. Also, depending upon decisions taken by WRC-11, to support consequential regulatory changes that safeguard spectrum access for AMS(R)S.

(4) The 1.5/1.6 GHz (1 545 1 555 MHz and 1 646.5-1 656.5 MHz) band should remain the core band for AMS(R)S, while retaining the existing R.R. Nos.5.357A. If the studies identified by Res. 222 (Rev. WRC-07) indicate that the long-term spectrum needs of AMS(R)S cannot be satisfied without placing undue constraints on the existing systems operating in accordance with the Radio Regulations, then to support additional allocations for AMS(R)S in other frequency bands through appropriate regulatory provisions.

(5) Past experience had demonstrated that the implementation of the “priority referred to in the Radio Regulations” does not work satisfactorily. Consequently the relevant regulatory text needs to be improved or reinforced to better serve its objectives.

ATU (date of proposal)

Arab Group (September 2009)

•Study the possibility of availing spectrum for the aeronautical mobile-satellite (R) service in the mentioned band.

•Emphasize the necessity of protecting other primary services in the bands 1.5 and 1.6 GHz, specially the qualitative primary allocation for the mobile satellite service.

CITEL (October 2009) (Brazil, Canada)

Generic allocations to MSS are retained in order to maintain flexibility and increased use of the MSS spectrum 1.5/1.6 GHz bands

Future spectrum requirements of AMS(R)S must be carefully assessed and quantified; and

Any spectrum designation for such future needs of AMS(R)S is solely used in the provision of such safety services

RCC (March 2009)

RCC CAs consider that:

1.Ensuring guaranteed long-term access to spectrum of the AMS (R) S in the bands 1525 – 1559/1626.5 – 1660.5 MHz should not result in the change of the existing general allocation to the MSS in these frequency bands or impose constraints on existing and planned MSS systems operating in accordance with the RR provisions.

2.Additional allocation to the AMS (R) S in the framework of this WRC-11 agenda item should be considered provided that long-term well-grounded requirements for the AMS (R) S cannot be satisfied neither in the bands 1525 – 1559 / 1626.5 – 1660.5 MHz nor in any other frequency bands having been already allocated to the MSS on the primary basis.