Train Crash Scenario - a draft spectrum assessment example (Nov. 2002) (.pps - 1.8 MB)

INTRODUCTION

The ITU World Radio Conference 2000 adopted a resolution calling 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 organizations, including those dealing with emergency situations and disaster relief. It also identified the need to conduct studies for the development of a resolution identifying the technical and operational basis for global cross-border circulation of radio communication equipment in emergency and disaster relief situations.

Project MESA is an international standardization partnership project covering ITU Regions 1 and 2, with participation from Region 3 also.

In preparation for the ITU World Radio Conference 2003 spectrum regulators, national as well as regional, have accomplished a lot of work. At the ITU level, ITU-R Working Party 8A has been studying the requirements for PPDR and has documented its studies in ITU-R Report M.2033, “Radiocommunication Objectives and Requirements for Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR)”. In Region 1 the CEPT/EEC (1) CPG-PT2 (2) has submitted to CPG its final draft brief (3) on WRC03 Agenda Item 1.3 (4). A summary of this ECP is found below.

Region 2, through CITEL (The Inter-American Telecommunication Commission), has also been active on this issue. A summary of their position is also found below.

REGION 1

CEPT/ECC Position (5)

• Support the identification of the band 380-470 MHz as common frequency tuning range for public protection and disaster relief by a Resolution.
   

• Support the 380-385/390-395 MHz as a core global harmonized band for permanent public protection activities.
   

• Support the inclusion of an agenda item on WRC-07 on the identification of additional frequency tuning ranges (possibly including harmonized bands) for public protection and disaster relief.

The aim of the CEPT is to support the identification of the band 380-470 MHz as frequency tuning range for public protection and disaster relief by a Resolution. This will allow national administrations to determine as appropriate, given their national conditions and requirements, how much spectrum and where within the frequency tuning range can be made available at a national level for permanent and temporary operations.

Within this frequency tuning range the band 380-385/390-395 MHz should be harmonized for permanent public protection activities as has been done in Europe by CEPT/ERC Decision (96)01.

It is recognized that frequencies for disaster relief operations falling within the frequency tuning range are likely to be planned and used for other purposes in normal times.

Additional frequency tuning ranges (possibly including harmonized bands) need further studies on the operational and spectrum requirements. Therefore an agenda item needs to be included in the agenda of WRC-07, noting that applications requiring wider bandwidths would generally be accommodated in progressively higher bands.

CEPT/ECC views on spectrum requirements

Narrowband: (6)

• Digital narrow band systems are already being used or will be used in the near future. In the CEPT the frequency bands 380-385 MHz and 390-395 MHz have been designated as harmonized bands for the introduction of the Digital Land Mobile Systems for the emergency services by the CEPT Decision ERC/DEC/(96)01.

Wideband:

• Standardization of digital wide band systems is ongoing and digital wideband systems capable of supporting envisioned wideband requirements will be available in the near future.

A first set of studies have been done, but further studies are needed on the required amount of spectrum and on the identification of additional frequency tuning ranges (possibly including harmonized bands) within which the requirements for wideband applications can be met. Therefore inclusion of an agenda item in WRC-07 is supported.

Broadband:

• The studies on Broadband techniques have recently started and systems are envisaged in a longer term than for wideband systems.

Further studies are needed on the required amount of spectrum and on the identification of additional frequency tuning ranges (possibly including harmonized bands) within which the requirements for broadband applications can be met. Therefore inclusion of an agenda item in WRC-07 is supported.

CEPT/ECC Views on the possible harmonized candidate bands of ITU-R CPM Report

The ITU-R CPM Report has identified possible candidate bands for Public Protection and Disaster Relief. A list of candidate bands with the CEPT comments can be found in a separate information document (see Doc. CPG/PT(02)73). A summary is provided below:

The following categories have been used: "1" (preferred), "2" (further studies necessary), "3" (not possible).

The "category 2 bands" are bands, which would be feasible from a technical point of view, but of which the availability for public protection and disaster relief purposes within CEPT has to be considered.

It should be noted that the CEPT categorization of the candidate bands was made on the assumption of these being individually proposed as harmonized bands. This categorization reflects the majority view of CEPT.

The table below summarizes the CEPT results:

List of relevant documents

ITU-R:

Resolution 645 (WRC-2000)

8A/56 (also as CEPT/ECC FM38(2001)41)

8A/TEMP/110r1 : new Report ITU-R M.2033 - Radio communication objectives and requirements for PPDR (also as CPG 03-PT2/085).

CPM Report-02-C2 (also as CPG 03-PT2/132)

ECC:

ERC/DEC/(96)01

ERC REPORT 25

CPG 03-PT2/073  (FM38 final list candidate bands commented)

CPG 03-PT2/074 

CPG 03-PT2/075  (FM38 final report to PT2 also referring to doc. PT2/074)

 
REGION 2

CITEL Position

The Inter-American Telecommunication Commission, CITEL, proposes that any spectrum recognized for future advanced solutions for public protection and disaster relief applications should be developed in a WRC Resolution, consistent with Method B in the CPM report. The Inter-American Proposal (IAP) for a Resolution recognizes the importance of spectrum used for public protection and disaster relief, and the need for future advanced solutions to meet the needs of PPDR agencies. Therefore, CITEL encourages administrations to consider the use of frequencies in the ranges 746‑806 MHz, 806-869 MHz and 4 940-4 990 MHz for future advanced solutions for public protection and disaster relief, taking into account their national requirements. CITEL also encourages administrations to encourage public protection and disaster relief agencies and organizations to utilize both existing and new technologies and solutions (satellite and terrestrial) to satisfy their public protection and disaster relief interoperability requirements and to further the goals of public protection and disaster relief agencies and organizations. Furthermore, administrations are urged to encourage agencies and organizations to use advanced wireless solutions, such as IMT-2000, ITS and satellite for providing complementary support to public protection and disaster relief agencies and organizations. 

Concerning this agenda item, CITEL believes every effort to complete the work for WRC-03 is essential. To address any future developments after WRC-03, the IAP for a new Resolution invites ITU-R to continue its technical studies and to make recommendations concerning technical and operational implementation, as necessary. The complete proposal can be found at http://www.citel.oas.org/wrc.asp (in document PCC.II-RADIO/doc.216/03 rev.2).

 
SUMMARY

From these regional positions, it is quite clear that a difference in opinion exists, in particular with regard to the identification of spectrum for future broadband PPDR applications, which Project MESA, as the only international entity, is addressing. 

Region 1/CEPT expresses the need for further study before  identification of spectrum for public protection and disaster relief broadband applications can be further elaborated and defers the matter to WRC07. The Region 2 views on the other hand seem to be more progressive, stating that every effort should be made to complete the agenda item 1.3 at WRC03. One administration in this Region has also taken the lead regarding PPDR spectrum for broadband applications by designating, in 2002, part of the 4 GHz radio frequency spectrum in support of public protection applications.

 
Notes

(2) Conference Preparatory Group – Project Team 2

(3) CEPT/ECC/CPG 03-PT2/199r2

(4) 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)

(5) Text from CEPT/ECC/CPG 03-PT2/199r2, March 31, 2003.

(6) Narrow band systems are using channels up to 25 kHz. Note: the definitions of narrow band, wideband and broadband systems are not harmonized with definitions given elsewhere.