WRC–12 Industry Debrief 23 April 2012 Agenda item 1.4 – New AM(R)S in the bands 112– , 960–1 164 and 5 000– MHz Presenter: Eddy D’Amico

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Background Under this agenda item, regulatory measures were made to finalise the provisional allocations made at WRC-07 to the aeronautical mobile (route) service (AM(R)S) Three separate issue considered: –in order to support future requirements for air-ground communications, in particular extending the current usage of the band MHz in congested areas, WRC-07 made a provisional AM(R)S allocation in the MHz band, pending further studies. (Resolutions 413 (Rev.WRC-07)). –in order to support the introduction of future applications and concepts in air traffic management requiring safety critical aeronautical communication, WRC-07 made a provisional AM(R)S allocation in the band MHz. Noting ICAO will take care of compatibility issues between ICAO standardised ARNS and AM(R)S systems sharing this allocation, the ITU-R considered compatibility with non-ICAO ARNS systems and RNSS. (Resolutions 417 (WRC-07)). –at WRC-07 a 59 MHz wide allocation was made to the new airport surface communications system currently being standardised for use in the 5 GHz band. One of the tasks of WRC-12 was to determine whether this system needed more spectrum, and if so, whether an additional allocation could be made. (Resolutions 420 (WRC-07))

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Summary of Australian Position Res 413: Australia supported modification of Res 413 to reflect that ITU-R studies were complete, showing compatibility of new (AM(R)S) systems in the band MHz with FM broadcasting receivers below 108 MHz. Australia supported ongoing compatibility studies between AM(R)S and digital sound-broadcasting below 108 MHz (Method A in the CPM Report). Res 417: Australia supported modification of Res 417 to introduce operational and technical means to facilitate sharing between AM(R)S systems and non-ICAO ARNS systems in the band MHz, and to introduce equivalent isotropic radiated power limits on AM(R)S systems below MHz to protect RNSS systems above MHz (Method B in the CPM Report). Res 420: Although ITU-R studies show sharing is possible between AM(R)S and existing services (including RNSS and adjacent band RAS) in the MHz band, Australia was of the opinion that it has yet to be conclusively shown that spectrum requirements cannot be met in the existing MHz allocation for airports in Australia, and therefore supported no additional allocation (Method C1 in the CPM Report). Australia fully supported the APT common proposals to WRC-12 for this agenda item.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Discussion on Res 413 The result of ITU-R studies confirmed that no harmful interference will arise from the introduction of AM(R)S in the band MHz into analogue FM broadcasting receivers below 108 MHz. All input contributions to WRC-12 were similar supporting Method A of the CPM Report (except for some differences in regards the conference name and how to reference Annex 10 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation). The COM 4 Chairman prepared a revised Res 413, addressing these concerns, for consideration at the first COM 4 meeting. Regarding the compatibility with digital broadcasting service below 108 MHz, it was agreed to pursue this matter under traditional ITU-R activities and outside the WRC process.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Discussion on Res 417 The results of the ITU-R studies provide separation distances below which site-specific compatibility studies should be performed in order to ensure that non-ICAO ARNS systems remain protected. There was considerable debate between APT countries (South Korea, Japan and China) and RCC members on the coordination process for these compatibility studies. In the end a compromise was developed where APT countries agreed not to apply No in the coordination process (hence not involving the BR) and RCC countries agreed to a timeframe of four- months to respond to a request seeking agreement, or otherwise being considered as unaffected (the timeframe given in No. 9.52C). It was also agreed that the APT proposal to develop practical operational measures to facilitate the coordination between AM(R)S systems and non-ICAO ARNS systems be included as noting c) of the revised Res 417, and China’s name being included in a list of countries requiring coordination.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Discussion on Res 420 ITU-R studies focused on two issues; a) whether more spectrum was required; b) compatibility studies to identify whether this service could share the MHz band, or parts of that band. For issue a), the outcome of ITU-R studies was a Report that proved to be inconclusive. –One method concluded that the existing 59 MHz shared allocation is not sufficient (based on a max of 500 airports being visible to the satellite footprint, and only one transmitter being active on each frequency, at each airport at any given time). –A 2nd method concluded that the existing 59 MHz is sufficient (based on a frequency reuse of one, even though such reuse requires 20 to 30 dB higher transmitting power per transmitter for appropriate signal/noise shaping and no attempt was made to satisfy sharing conditions to protect the FSS (earth-Space) feeder links). For issue b), as the current GNSS user & service link requirements are immature, only the band MHz was studied. –An ITU-R Report confirmed that sharing in the band MHz is feasible.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Discussion on Res 420 (Con’t) At WRC-12, an additional allocation of 10 MHz at 5 GHz was only supported by the USA & African States: –The USA & African States indicated they could accept a country footnote. –CEPT strongly oppose the development of a country footnote, even though the airport systems would not cause interference issues beyond country borders. –The APT remained silent on this matter as it was a USA verses Europe debate. A proposal with 2 options was developed: 1) NOC; & 2) allocating MHz to AM(R)S through a multi- country footnote, including two sub-options (options 2a and 2b) on measures required to protect RNSS. COM 4 agreed to approve the NOC option: –package deal agreed between the US and CEPT on Agenda items 1.3, 1.4 & –CEPT agreed to remove their proposal for terrestrial UAS at 15 GHz (AI 1.3), therefore allowing a global allocation for radars at 15 GHz (AI 1.21), provided the US removed their proposal for an additional allocation for AM(R)S.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Summary of Outcomes Res 413 –The AM(R)S allocation in the band MHz was confirmed & Res 413 amended accordingly –Minor Mod to No A Res 417 –The AM(R)S allocation in the band MHz was confirmed & Res 417 amended accordingly –Minor Mod to No A Res 420 –Res 420 was suppressed Other Issues –WRC-12 revoked the use of the band MHz for aeronautical security systems (Mods to No B and Res 418 & 748; Sup of Res 419)

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Future Impact The outcomes are very closely aligned with both Australia’s position and APT’s Common Proposals to WRC-12 The new AM(R)S allocations are limited to systems which meet ICAO SARPs published in Annex 10 to the ICAO Convention. –These new allocations are shared with existing allocations to the ARNS in a manner which does not burden existing and future implementations of ARNS systems –The new allocations allow for more efficient & flexible aeronautical use of these frequency bands –The development of SARPs for L-band datalinks (LDACS) needs to be closely monitored Although no additional allocation was made in support of the new aeronautical airport surface systems, some countries may operate these systems in the MHz band under No. 4.4 –US propose to operate system under domestic AM(R)S allocation –SARPs developed for AeroMACS will need to take this into account for interoperability with foreign aircraft flying into those countries –RTCA/EUROCAE standards specify frequency bands MHz –The development of SARPs for AeroMACS needs to be closely monitored