WRC-2003 Agenda Item 1.3
To consider identification of globally/regionally harmonised bands, to the extent practicable, for the
implementation of future advanced solutions to meet the needs of public protection agencies, including
those dealing with emergency situations and disaster relief, and to make regulatory provisions, as
necessary, taking into account Resolution 645 (WRC-2000)
Issue
Resolution 645 calls for studies on the identification of frequency bands that could be used on a
global/regional basis by administrations intending to implement future solutions for public protection
agencies and organisations, including those dealing with emergency situations and disaster relief. There
is also a need to study regulatory provisions necessary for identifying globally/regionally harmonised
frequency bands for such purposes.
Background
ITU-R WP8A was the lead group in developing CPM text for this Agenda Item. At its meeting in May 2002
the CPM text, which includes candidate bands, was approved by WP8A for transmission to CPM. There
is a Draft New Report intended to accompany the CPM Report as a reference doument which gives
further detail of the requirements and objectives for Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR). There
is also a new Recommendation on Cross Border circulation of equipment to be used for PPDR and a draft
Resolution for consideration by WRC-03 as a potential method of satisfying the Agenda Item.
Significant Recent and Future /Developments
The CPM text for this agenda item is now mature.
FM38 and latterly CPG PT2 are providing the CEPT line. In WP8A in May 02, US proposed that PP be
separated from DR in the CPM text, but this was not accepted by 8A. In CPG PT2 in Helsinki May 02, NL
made a similar proposal to change the draft CEPT Brief. PT2 amended the draft CEPT brief to add text to
reflect this proposal to separate the concepts in square brackets - CEPT administrations are urged to
consider for next PT2 in October whether the added text should be kept or deleted. CEPT Administrations
are also urged to consider which of the 3 ways proposed in the CPM text is best to satisfy the Agenda
Item. In its June meeting, FM38 reviewed the candidate bands in light of 8A output and will submit this to
PT2. The UK line has been reflected in the bands and their categorisation in the FM38 output on
candidate bands. UK supports conceptual separation of PP and DR but the net effect of this is not to
have separate spectrum, but rather core bands for PP and extension bands for DR to be used as required
in disaster situations, all within the tuning range of equipment. In terms of methods to satisfy the Agenda
Item, my current preference is for a Resolution only, on the grounds that PPDR is not a recognised
service.
The CPM text also quantifies the amount of spectrum sought for harmonisation - this is an average
derived using several calculation methodologies. A flexible approach is advocated for the solution so that
administrations are free to decide on a national basis how much spectrum should be used and what
proportion should be used for PP (which is day to day operations and large emergency and/or public
events) and DR (large scale national disaster, which could be viewed as an almost war-like state). The
identification of spectrum is viewed as providing a long-term migration opportunity to accommodate future
PPDR operational needs. As individual countries will only need part of the ITU-R identified bands, this
gives flexibility to determine, at the national level, how much spectrum to make available to public
protection and disaster relief systems and also to develop transitional plans appropriate to national
conditions and requirements.
S R Limb
pp D Sweeney
RA2/PBSU
UK Coordinator, agenda item 1.3
5 August 2002