Report of the Third Annual Review Meeting of the GMPCS-Mou Group

- 1 -

Document 12-E

13 December 2000

Original: English

REPORT OF THE THIRD ANNUAL REVIEW MEETING

OF THE GMPCS-MoU GROUP

The Third Annual Review Meeting of the GMPCS-MoU Group (hereinafter referred to as the Group) was held on 30 November – 1 December 2000 at the ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Chairman Mr. E. N. OleKambainei opened the Meeting (Item 1 on the Agenda), welcoming the participants and highlighting all that has been accomplished during the past one year since the Second Annual Review Meeting. The Chairman also noted that Document 10 should be added to Agenda Item 7.

The Chairman also remarked on the changes in the Management Team. He indicated that Mr. Mohamed Al Ghanim will be replacing Mr. Jamal Al Jarwan as Vice-Chairman from the Arab region and that the Group will decide the Vice-Chairman for Europe on the second day of the Meeting under Agenda Item 8.

The Chairman next presented the Agenda (Document 1-E Rev1) for the Meeting, which was adopted without objection (Item 2 on Agenda).

The Chairman then introduced Mr. Max-Henri Cadet, Manager, GMPCS-MoU Project, who welcomed the participants on behalf of the Secretary General. Mr. Cadet told the Meeting that, because of his earlier commitments and very busy schedule, the Secretary-General would not be able to attend the Meeting; but he has conveyed his best wishes for the success of the Meeting and the work of the Group.

The Report of the Secretary General (Agenda Item 3), as contained in Document 3, was presented in detail by Mr. Cadet. The presentation by Mr. Cadet focused on the following aspects of the GMPCS-MoU:

1. Depository Role of the Secretary General
2. GMPCS-MoU Registry
3. Cost recovery, and
4. Current ITU Developments.

Mr. Cadet also reported, in accordance with the depository role of the ITU Secretary-General, the following:

1. The list of signatories of the GMPCS-MoU has been maintained and currently there are 153 signatories that include 70 Administrations;
2. System specific implementation has been carried for ACeS and Thuraya during the current year.

Mr. Cadet presented and explained the financial records, which are maintained in accordance with ITU Council Resolution 1116, confirming that the existing system of recovering costs is adequate to cover the expenditures related to the activities of the GMPCS-MoU Project. He also underlined the fact that the implementation process is proceeding very well and that the cost recovery commitment for the activities of the Group is adequately being fulfilled. Mr. Cadet also pointed out that now other sectors are also having a closer look at the activities of the Group as witnessed during the Working Party 8F Meeting in October, which is discussing the issue of circulation of IMT2000 terminals.

At the end of the Report of the Secretary General, the delegate of Syria commented on the absence of information on Opinion 5 of the First World Telecommunication Policy Forum (WTPF 1996) and the resulting Checklist of Factors, as well as on Resolution 100 (Minneapolis 1998) authorizing the role of the Secretary-General as depositary of Memoranda of Understanding. He also mentioned the recent Recommendation adopted by the Radiocommunication Assembly in May 2000 on the Essential Requirements for GMPCS terminals where the GMPCS-MoU Arrangements reference was conditional to the Recommendation’s adoption.

Mr. Cadet indicated that the BDT dealt with Opinion 5 issues; but reports by the Secretary-General could include information concerning the topics raised by the delegate of Syria.

The Meeting then turned to Agenda Item 4, the Reports of the Vice-Chairmen. Vice-Chairman Richard Parlow reported on the budget and finance issues indicating that the Group currently has significant surplus. He also recognized that, although in the near future no new system will be appearing on the horizon, it is expected that the surplus will be able to absorb the upcoming costs. The Management Team is also looking into the collection of arrears as well as income that is also expected from registration of new terminals.

Mr. Mohamed Al Ghanim, on behalf of Vice-Chairman Al Jarwan who was responsible for the Outreach Program, gave a brief report. He pointed out that two GMPCS Regional Workshops have been arranged this year – one in South America and the other in Africa. These Workshops successfully promoted the cause of the Group, which plans to continue with the Workshops with the assistance of BDT, the Administrations and the operators.

Vice Chairman Lee, who is responsible for the liaison with the ITU General Secretariat, reported that after the 1999 Council decision of not imposing any financial obligation on the use of ITU GMPCS-MoU Mark, not much liaison work was undertaken this year. He said that the experience of Administrations and the GMPCS industry with regards to the GMPCS-MoU was solicited after consultation with the Chairman; but as the process was started late this year, only three documents from the industry were received till now. Mr. Lee indicated that not much activity took place in the Asia Pacific region this year either on the policy-related issues or on the promotion of GMPCS. He also expressed the hope that the GMPCS industry once again provides a clear vision, taking into account recent changes in the business circumstances.

The Chairman, while reporting on the experience of the African region on the GMPCS-MoU process, informed that a lot of work on the development of regulatory and policy framework has been carried out. The Chairman also indicated that on a global level GMPCS has been recognized as one of the tools for bridging the gap between the developing and developed countries.

In the absence of a report from the Vice-Chairman responsible for customs issues, the representative of Iridium questioned what work has been done on the customs issues. The Chairman indicated that this issue was discussed at the Management Team Meeting on 29 November 2000 and appropriate action will be taken.

The Chairman invited Mr. Bairi (BDT) to give a brief report on the activities under the ITU-D GMPCS Regional Workshops. He discussed two series of successful Workshops organized in partnership with the GMPCS Operators, which contributed both expertise and funds. Mr. Bairi stated that these Workshops are an important tool in assisting the developing countries with their GMPCS policy and regulatory guidelines. While the first series of Workshops focused on technical and operational issues, the second dealt with regulatory and licensing issues. The outcome of the Workshops, adopted in the form of Resolutions, was used in the development of the ITU GMPCS Reference Book prepared by the BDT.

The representative of Globalstar provided some update on the handbooks being developed by the Working Party 8D and Working Party 8F for the Mobile Satellite Service and IMT-2000 services respectively.

Then the Chairman invited Orbcomm to present Document 6. The Orbcomm representative indicated that, after the Workshop in South Africa and after discussion with fellow operators, the industry (ten operators) decided to send a letter to the Director, BDT requesting the BDT to continue its assistance in the promotion of GMPCS through a new series of Workshops. Orbcomm also stated that it would like to avail this opportunity to express its deep appreciation of the work carried out by the BDT in general and Mr. Bairi in particular.

The delegate of Lebanon then proposed that the Group adopt a Recommendation to be forwarded to the BDT supporting the idea of continuing with the Workshops, finding them a valuable tool in dissemination of information regarding the GMPCS-MoU and its Arrangements.

The Chairman next turned to Agenda 6 regarding Cost Recovery and Financial Contributions and indicated these issues were already covered under Agenda Items 3 and 4.

The Meeting then turned to Agenda Item 7, Review of the GMPCS-MoU, the Arrangements and its Annex. The Chairman indicated that he had prepared Document 4 to identify the elements to be considered while reviewing the implementation of the GMPCS-MoU Arrangements.

The Group agreed to the proposal from the Chairman regarding the continuation of a moratorium on interpretation considering the cost implications and level of attendance.

Other elements of Document 4 were also discussed.

Then Mr. Cadet presented Document 5 stating that this document suggests a minor technical modification to the GMPCS-MoU at the request of a Signatory. The amendment only adds identity and contact information at the very end of the GMPCS-MoU. The proposed changes were adopted and the Group requested the General Secretariat to provide access to the information from the new version on the web site.

The Meeting than turned to contributions submitted on the experiences of the GMPCS-MoU and the Arrangements.

The Globalstar representative presented Document 7, which identifies and discusses three issues: the GMPCS-MoU Arrangements, Terminal Registration and Regional Meetings. Globalstar also expressed its satisfaction with the outcome of the licensing and regulatory framework that was developed because of the GMPCS-MoU.

The Orbcomm representative while presenting the Document 8 indicated that Orbcomm also fully supports the comments made by the representative from Globalstar regarding the usefulness of the GMPCS-MoU and the Arrangements.

The Skybridge representative presented Document 9 indicating that the Group should also focus on issues concerning the licensing of fixed broadband systems, as the telecommunications world is evolving from circuit switched to packet switched technology. The representative also expressed its satisfaction with the progress of the implementation of the GMPCS-MoU Arrangements.

The Chairman presented Document 10 on behalf of the representative of Eutelsat, who apologized for not being able to present the document himself. The document also highlighted the importance of the GMPCS-MoU instruments and suggested the desirability of having regulatory framework for broadband multimedia applications.

The ACeS representative gave a brief oral report indicating that the GMPCS-MoU indeed facilitated in the licensing of ACeS services within their coverage area. However, ACeS Service Providers have also experienced problems with getting operational licenses, particularly in countries that do not authorize a GMPCS policy. Therefore, ACeS fully supports the continued promotion of the transborder circulation of the GMPCS terminals as well as facilitating GMPCS type approval.

Mr. Lee, Vice-chairman, Asia-Pacific, presented the views of some Administrations from the Asia-Pacific countries, including Japan, Korea and Australia concerning the issues raised by Globalstar and Skybridge in their respective contributions. He conveyed the view of the Australian Administration that the requirement for registration and marking of terminals under GMPCS-MoU did not provide any value from their point of view and they subscribed to the view of Globalstar on this matter. He said however that Japan and Korea expressed the view that it is necessary to maintain the current procedure for the time being; and, at this moment, the self-certification declaration by manufactures are thought to be premature. At the same time he explained that the cooperation at the regional level is being progressed through APEC in the form of mutual recognition agreements (MRAs).

Concerning the Skybridge contribution on the need for a set of principles concerning licensing for the packet-switched systems using satellite, Mr. Lee said that Australia would support a consensus for change by the Annual Review Meeting to the GMPCS-MoU, which reflects the current developments in the Radiocommunication operating environment.

The delegate from Canada provided some information on the mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) being implemented by the CITEL countries. He indicated that discussions are under progress with other regions on similar MRAs.

The delegate from European Commission (EC) stated that the R&TTE Directive is in place within the European Union (EU). This Directive harmonizes the legislation of the Member States and is compatible with the GMPCS-MoU Arrangements. Other (mostly European) Administrations are implementing the Directive, and MRAs with third countries have been signed.

The representative of Iridium LLC stated that she was pleased to report that, contrary to a statement in the Globalstar contribution, as has been reported in the press, a purchaser for the Iridium system, Iridium Satellite LLC, has been approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court. She also indicated that she was attending this Meeting as a representative of both Iridium LLC and Iridium Satellite LLC and that she hoped to have more information on the transaction for the delegates during this Meeting. She reported that Iridium Satellite LLC expects to acquire and operate the Iridium System and business. Although Iridium has no written contribution for this Meeting, Iridium reported orally that Iridium’s experiences with the GMPCS-MoU and Arrangements were very positive. Iridium implemented the Arrangements, as did its terminal manufacturers and most gateway operators and service providers. The Iridium System was authorized to provide services in over 160 countries. Iridium’s representative thanked and congratulated the GMPCS-MoU Group, the Management Team, and the ITU staff for their work and their efforts.

The Group discussed in detail the issues arising out of the documents and interventions submitted under Agenda Item 7. The representative from the EC raised an issue that has arisen out of the EC’s simplification of conformity assessment procedures. Specifically, because a terminal manufacturer can self-certify its compliance with terminal requirements and, therefore, will not receive a type approval letter from an Administration, there was confusion over how a terminal manufacturer that self certifies in Europe can obtain the right to affix the GMPCS-MoU mark. After discussing this issue, the Group agreed that as per the notification procedures, the three letters required are from a GMPCS System Operator, a GMPCS Terminal Manufacturer and an Administration or Competent Authority that has type-approved a terminal. The definition of the Competent Authority is as per the GMPCS-MoU Arrangements, which definition is broad enough to encompass notified bodies performing conformity assessment functions under the R&TTE Directive. In practice, the notified bodies are the entities that have been submitting the required Type Approving Administration(s) letters to the ITU to date, and the Group approved the continuation of that practice.

The Group then addressed the issue raised by Skybridge and supported by other operators concerning licensing of broadband systems. The Chairman indicated that we should not introduce any new changes that may confuse the regulators. Furthermore, as we received these contributions very late, it will be very difficult to come to an agreement during this short Meeting. The Chairman, in view of the above and noting the concerns of these operators, suggested the establishment of a Correspondence Group that will be headed by Vice-Chairman Lee with support from all the Vice-Chairmen.

The suggestion was accepted and the Meeting agreed to form a Correspondence Group to discuss guiding principles to assist Administrations wishing to licence packet switched data services over satellite, including broadband converged services (i.e. voice, video, data). The principles will be voluntary with a view to elaborating and building upon the existing GMPCS-MoU and Arrangements to facilitate the licensing of such services, whilst keeping intact the existing regimes for mobile telephony systems, which are covered by the GMPCS-MoU Arrangements.

The goal of the Correspondence Group, which shall be open to all interested parties, is to provide proposals for consideration at the next GMPCS-MoU Group Meeting. Anyone interested in participating in the Correspondence Group should address their request for participation to Mr. Lee (e-mail: or ).

The Group recognised the need to cooperate with ITU-R WP 8F with respect to the work in the global circulation of IMT-2000 terminals, and agreed to invite the Secretary-General to make use of the experience of the Group in the relevant work on the IMT-2000 within the ITU.

The Group agreed not to change the Arrangements under the GMPCS-MoU and its notification and implementation procedures.

The Meeting adjourned for the day at 17:00 hours.

The Meeting resumed on Friday morning. The Chairman turned to Agenda Item 8 (Election of the Executive Committee). The Meeting elected Mr. Richard Parlow as Vice-Chairman (Americas Region), Mr. Hong Lim Lee as Vice-Chairman (Asia Pacific Region), Mr. Mohamed Al Ghanim as Vice-Chairman (Arab Region) and Mr. Stephen Priestman as Vice-Chairman (European Region). The Meeting also enthusiastically re-elected Mr. E. N. OleKambainei as Chairman.