National Preparatory Working Group meeting for World Radio-communications Conference 2015 Aeronautical Agenda Item 1.7 Presented by Takalani Tshikalaha

Agenda Item: 1.7 To review the use of the frequency band – MHz by the fixed satellite service (Earth-to-space) (limited to feeder links of the non-geostationary mobile-satellite systems in the mobile-satellite service) in accordance with Resolution 114 (Rev.WRC -12).

Relevant Resolution/s Resolution 114 (Rev. WRC -12) – Call for studies on compatibility between new systems of the aeronautical radio- navigation service (ARNS) and the fixed-satellite service (FSS) (Earth-to-space) (limited to feeder links of the non- geostationary mobile-satellite service) in the frequency band – MHz.

Reason for Resolution 114 / Issues Resolves 2 states; –that the allocation to the ARNS and the FSS in the frequency band MHz should be reviewed at a future competent conference prior to 2018 –This also relates to the two date constraints in Radio Regulation (RR) 5.444A that place limitations on the FSS. i.e.; after 1st January 2016, no new assignments shall be made to earth stations providing feeder links of non-geostationary mobile-satellite systems; after 1st January 2018, the FSS will become secondary to the ARNS. (WRC-07) Resolves 3 states; –that studies be undertaken on compatibility between new systems of the ARNS and the FSS providing feeder links of the non-GSO systems in the MSS (earth-to-space), in the band MHz

Frequency Bands under consideration – MHz

Summary of Relevant ITU SG/WP Progress Recommendation ITU-R S.1342 – “Method for determining coordination distances, in the 5 GHz band, between the international standard microwave landing system (MLS) stations operating in the ARNS and non-GSO MSS stations providing feeder uplink services”. Recommendation ITU-R M.1827 – “Technical and operational requirements for stations of the aeronautical mobile (R) service (AM(R)S) limited to surface application at airports and for stations of the aeronautical mobile service (AMS) limited to aeronautical security (AS) applications in the band MHz”.

Method(s) to satisfy the agenda Item Method A This method proposes that the use of the frequency band MHz by systems of the FSS providing earth-to-space feeder links, of non-GSO systems in the MSS: –be maintained as a primary allocation; –that each of the conditions on this allocation given in RR No A, be suppressed (i.e. after 1st January 2016 no new assignments shall be made, and after 1st January 2018 the FSS will become secondary to the ARNS) –that use of the band MHz by FSS feeder links be added to the footnote (shall be made in accordance with Resolution 114 (Rev.WRC-12) –that flexibility for AM(R)S be improved while ensuring protection of the FSS. –that coordination between FSS earth stations and ARNS ground stations is required under certain circumstances to ensure that the ARNS is protected from harmful interference and that RR Appendix 7 be used in determining the coordination area, and

Preliminary SA Position South Africa supports primary allocation of the band – 5150 MHz by the FSS (Earth-to-space) (limited to feeder links of the non-GSO in the mobile–satellite service) provided that ITU-R studies show convincingly that the operation of these feeder will not interfere with the existing microwave landing systems (MLS) operating in the band – MHz.

Conclusion  Being an internationally standardised ARNS, a MLS may use the band MHz if its requirements cannot be satisfied in the band MHz.  In order to protect ARNS in the band MHz, the RR No A provides that the FSS providing feeder links for non-GSO in the MSS can use the band MHz on a primary basis prior to 1st January 2018, and will become secondary to ARNS after 1st January Also, no new assignments can be made to the FSS in this band after 1st January 2016.

The end!