Information Document from SITA on Proposed GSM Use Aboard Aircraft

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ACP/WGF12 - WP/12

Agenda Item 6:Interference to aeronautical systems

Information document from SITA on
proposed GSM use aboard AIRCRAFT

(Presented by John Mettrop)

RA5 on Satellite Communications

Info doc 1

Date issued: 3.6.2004

Source: RA5 Chairman

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

DRAFT

ECC Decision

of DD MMM 2004

on the use of MPAX Base transceiver Stations on board aircraft

in the frequency bands

1710 – 1785 and 1805 – 1880 MHz

(ECC/DEC/(04)**)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1INTRODUCTION

There is increasing demand to use mobile communications from wherever you are located and the MPAX system provides a means of using GSM mobile phones onboard aircraft. However to ensure successful operation of the system there is a need for a harmonised approach to the licensing of the Base Transceiver Stations. There is also a need to establish a basis for the free circulation of equipment and to gain access to the required spectrum.

2BACKGROUND

It is a general aim of the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) to facilitate the free circulation and use of radio equipment.

The equipment under consideration in this decision, the GSM Base Transceiver Station fitted onboard aircraft, is intended to provide an interface between the passengers GSM handsets and the terrestrial GSM networks providing the full range of services normally provided on a GSM network. It is considered that by providing an approved GSM network onboard aircraft flight safety will be improved. There is a need for a harmonised approach to the authorisation of the GSM Base Transceiver Station to ensure the provision of an uninterrupted service to users whilst aircraft using such equipment crosses the borders of various countries and to reduce the regulatory requirements placed on administrations, GSM network operators and aircraft operators.

The GSM Base Transceiver Stations shall conform to the following requirements . . . .

3LICENSING ISSUES

There may be a few cases where an aircraft operates within the airspace of a single administration but generally an aircraft will travel through the airspace of more than one country with the time spend in the airspace of any particular country could be of short duration. Thus some procedure is required to ensure that the GSM Base Transceiver Station can be used in any national airspace that the aircraft is crossing through.

It is also possible to licence the station by the aircraft where the equipment is installed (so that the aircraft operator is the licensee) or alternatively the network can be licensed (so that the licensee is either the network operator or the service provider). In the event of interference occurring, the later approach would give administrations a single point of contact with the MPAX system operator who would have the responsibility for dealing with the issue. Alternatively there is a possibility that there may be an avionic requirement to separately licence each radio station.

A number of different approaches can be envisaged, each with its own pros and cons. Due to the international nature of aircraft operation a harmonised approach would benefit MPAX users, service providers, network operators and administrations.

4REQUIREMENT FOR AN ECC DECISION

There is a need for an ECC Decision to allow for the harmonised operation of MPAX GSM Base Transceiver Stations and to permit access to the GSM frequency bands.

ECC Decision

of DD MMM 2004

on the use of MPAX Base transceiver Stations on board aircraft

in the frequency bands

1710 – 1785 and 1805 – 1880 MHz

(ECC/DEC/(04)**)

“ The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations,

considering

a)that the bands 1710 – 1785 and 1805 – 1880 MHz are allocated to the mobile service on a co-primary basis in the ITU Radio Regulations with an implied understanding that this allocation is referring to terrestrial services only;

b)that within Europe the bands 1710 – 1785 and 1805 -1800 MHz have been designated for GSM usage;

c)that the spectrum power levels and frequency bands used will be controlled to ensure that there is no interference with GSM systems operating outside of the aircraft cabin airspace;

d)the MPAX GSM system will permit the sharing of spectrum by multiple operators resulting in more efficient use of spectrum;

e)that the technical characteristics of the GSM system will be in accordance with the relevant ETSI standards and specifications, subject to the control of power levels and frequency band used;

f)there are various ECC Decisions permitting the free circulation and use of GSM handsets and this Decision is extending the coverage of these existing Decisions;

g)that the MPAX GSM Base Transceiver Stations will be licensed by one administration but will be operated within the airspace of other countries;

h)that the MPAX GSM Base Transceiver Station will be subject to approval by the Civil Aviation Authorities;

i)that in some countries additional limitations on the operation of the MPAX GSM system, such as at low altitudes, may be necessary;

j)that this Decision shall not impede EEA member countries from fulfilling their obligations according to Community law;

DECIDES

1. that within Europe the bands 1710 – 1785 and 1805 -1800 MHz have been designated for GSM usage;

1. that the aircraft cabin space is considered to be part of the national territory of the of the country of aircraft registry and the MPAX GSM system will only be used within the aircraft cabin so that service can be considered to be a national terrestrial service;

1. that the spectrum power levels and frequency bands should be controlled to ensure that there is no interference with GSM systems operating outside of the aircraft cabin airspace;

1. that administrations shall allow free circulation and use of the MPAX GSM Base Transceiver Station provided that[the MPAX system operator holds the required network licence] [ the Base Transceiver Station is covered by a radio station licence held by the aircraft operator], subject to the provisions of this Decision and compliance with the requirements related to considering i) above;

1. that the Base Transceiver Stations must be subject to appropriate certification by the relevant Civil Aviation Authorities;

1. that administrations should notify to the Office their requirements related to considering i) above, if any;

1. that this Decision shall enter into force on [dd mmm yyyy] [or if possible a date before that];

1. that administrations shall communicate the national measures implementing this Decision to the ECC Chairman and the Office when the Decision is nationally implemented.

Note:

Please check the CEPT web site () for the up to date position on the implementation of this and other ECC Decisions.