1. On-Going Activities in the CEPT (European Spectrum Regulation) on Broadband Direct-Air-to-Ground Communications Systems
International Conference „IFE & Connectivity“, Hamburg, 24 – 26 March 2015
Thomas Weber, ECO, Spectrum Management

2. Content CEPT Organisation (48 European Frequency Regulators)
BDA2GC in MHz and MHz
Aero CGC in / MHz
Existing Work in CEPT
Draft Regulatory Framework (Frequency Management)
Mandates from the European Commission to CEPT
Current situation in frequency bands, roll-out considerations, standardisation activities
Options
Outlook & Challenges

3. Where does the action take place?

5. Activities in CEPT - Trigger
Trigger: 3 ETSI System Reference Documents:
ETSI TR V1.1.1 ( ) [11], System Reference Document on Broadband Direct-Air-to-Ground Communications operating in part of the frequency range from 790 MHz to 5150 MHz;
ETSI TR V1.1.3 ( ) [12], System Reference Document on Broadband Direct-Air-to-Ground Communications System employing beamforming antennas, operating in the 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz bands;
ETSI TR V1.1.1 ( ) [13], System Reference Document on Broadband Direct-Air-to-CEPT Ground Communications System operating in the GHz to GHz band using 3G technology.
SRDocs also describe the addressable market ‘over Europe’
SE40 studies on Aero CGC (triggered by INMARSAT and supporting CEPT admins)

6. Activities in CEPT – Important conditions
Various frequency bands below 6 GHz were identified which could be suitable for fulfilling the spectrum requirements for the BDA2GC systems when the activities within CEPT started.
Some frequency bands were selected for detailed investigations and for conducting compatibility and sharing studies. Some bands were considered less suitable after initial studies or considerations.
A short term solution for BDA2GC (by end of 2017) could not be realised in a frequency band above 6 GHz.
However, higher frequency bands could be considered in the future for next generation BDA2GC systems.

7. Published ECC Reports
ECC Report 209: Studies related to BDA2GC in the bands MHz / MHz and in the adjacent bands;
ECC Report 210: Studies related to BDA2GC in the bands MHz, MHz and MHz;
ECC Report 214: Broadband Direct-Air-to-Ground Communications (DA2GC) – Frequency regulatory concept;
ECC Report 220: Compatibility/sharing studies related to PMSE (programme making and special events, e.g. video links, cordless cameras in this context), DECT and SRD (Short Range Devices) with DA2GC in the 2 GHz unpaired bands and MFCN in the adjacent 2 GHz paired band.

8. New ECC Decisions
The draft new ECC Decision for broadband Direct Air to Ground Communications in the frequency band MHz
The draft new ECC Decision for broadband Direct Air to Ground Communications in the frequency band MHz
TDD (Time Division Duplex)
harmonised use
free circulation
common framework for authorising
on a non-exclusive basis
application of the technical and operational requirement
co-existence between DA2GC Ground Stations and other fixed terrestrial stations and FSS earth stations (only 5.8 GHz)
DA2GC Ground stations individually licensed
exempt from individual licensing and free circulation and use of DA2GC Aircraft stations under the control of a network

9. 1900-1920 MHz (new usage) Only 1 DA2GC in the band (TDD)
There are practically 3 options in discussions, all using the same technical framework
SRDs are indoor limited
Existing license situation (34 countries have licenses for UMTS/IMT in all or parts of the band) needs to get resolved

10. 5855-5875 MHz Only 1 DA2GC in the band (TDD)
There are practically 2 options in discussions. Technical framework slightly different depending on usage of fixed antennas or beamforming antennas.
Non-exclusive usage – existing applications: Fixed Satellite Uplink, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Fixed Wireless Access, in future also Wi-Fi
Positive results in compatibility studies

11. Approaches
Some of the current BDA2GC TDD proponents are flexible with regard to these two frequency options
A typical DA2GC ground station uses multiple sector antennas with fixed azimuth and elevation patterns. A fixed elevation up-tilt to maximise reception at normal cruising altitudes. The aircraft station antenna is based on an existing commercial aircraft antenna, enhanced to support operation in the allocated frequency band, and so facilitates retrofit while not creating any additional drag for the aircraft.
Alternatively, a beamforming system can be implemented, advanced phased array and signal processing technology on the aircraft and at the ground station, to produce shaped and steerable beams. This enables dynamic beam pointing at both ends of the link such that the ground station and the aircraft mutually track each other. The use of beamforming helps to reduce co-channel interference and improves both the DA2GC link performance and its frequency sharing capabilities.
Power control is used in both directions, to maintain the required receive power level at the GS and AS receivers.

12. European Commission Mandates to CEPT
To undertake studies on the harmonised technical conditions for the MHz and MHz frequency bands (“Unpaired terrestrial 2 GHz bands”) in the EU; -> Proposal to use MHz for BDA2GC -> CEPT Report 52 published
- To study and identify harmonised compatibility and sharing conditions for Wireless Access Systems including Radio Local Area Networks in the bands MHz and MHz ('Wireless Access Systems/RLAN extension bands')
Mandate not on BDA2GC but BDA2GC is compatible with existing radio services and WAS/RLAN – long timetable of the mandate

13. Aeronautical CGC (Complementary Ground Component)
1 980 – MHz and 2 170–2 200 MHz used by the MSS and with Aero-CGC

14. Aero CGC Work Item Draft ECC Report 233 in public consultation
Preliminary results show that Aero CGC does not create harmful interference to other terrestrial radio systems
Airborne terminals to implement a ‘mask’ to protect other terrestrial systems
2 MSS licences awarded: INMARSAT and Solaris (each 2x15 MHz duplex)
COCOM: no final decision
ECC Decision (06)09 and 2009/449/EC in place
Aero CGC authorisation: national decisions

15. Standardisation activities
Relevant standardisation activities for the creation of harmonised European standards for all BDA2GC options are already on its way in 3GPP and ETSI (Technical Committee BRAN). This is for new Harmonised European Standards for BDA2GC in MHz and MHz.
At the 3GPP TSG-RAN WG4 Meeting #72bis in Singapore, 6 – 10 Oct, 2014, a contribution was made; currently in 3GPP/RAN4 there is a study item to have a new band considering B1 (2.1 GHz cellular band) + MSS band. The MSS band for Complementary Ground Components (CGCs) deployment in Region 1 was studied in 3GPP TR A new WID was started in RAN #65 for MSS + B1 with 2 x 90 MHz introduction in Europe. The input at the 3GPP TSG-RAN WG4 Meeting #72bis raised a question on the MSS complementary ground component usage, the 2 x 90 MHz MSS + B1 seems not to follow current regulations, i.e. MSS band operation independent of satellite operation.

16. Technical Options
MHz: 3 Options, all TDD based, with/without beamforming, higher emission values possible when introducing a ‘guard band’ to public mobile above 1920 MHz
MHz: 2 options, both TDD based, with/without beamforming, technical requirements slightly deviate depending on the option because of spectrum compatibility reasons
1 980 – MHz and 2 170–2 200 MHz Aero CGC: 2 potential operators could use (INMARSAT, Solaris)
From the feedback received from market participants such as Austrian/Lufthansa/Swiss, Air France KLM, Air Berlin and British Airways during the course of the work in CEPT in recent years, it may be reasonable to expect one or two options to materialise in the future (current assumption!)

17. Outlook
Based on the situation described before, it is believed that CEPT administrations may further consider the selection and authorisation process for a DA2GC provider in MHz and also for the MHz range. This action may be supported by the EC. For each single frequency band, stakeholder need to clearly come forward requesting an European harmonised solution, otherwise, it may be difficult to get final EU implementation acts in place for BDA2GC.
An EU led selection process seems to have very limited support among EU member states.
Higher frequencies & outside of Europe: FCC considers regulation in GHz for the future – if interest stated from stakeholders, this may be considered in CEPT in the future (not for implementation by end of 2017). APT (Asia/Pacific) also investigates the situation. China does field trials and has implemented a first DA2GC one domestic flight route.

18. Identified Challenges identified in CEPT/ECC
Existing licenses in relevant frequency bands(is the band used? Compatible with exist. Use?)
Technology and service neutrality (common technical framework)
Efficient use of the relevant spectrum throughout Europe (non-exclusive/sharing)
Value of the relevant spectrum
Competition aspects
Confidence in the market to single out (a) viable BDA2GC operator(s) and technical solution
Roaming possibilities if BDA2GC is provided by different operators in different countries
Bringing into use and coverage conditions (roll-out)
Sanctions for not bringing BDA2GC into use according to a stipulated schedule or conditions
Possibility to review and withdraw harmonisation measures (with or without a selection process)
Alternative uses in countries where BDA2GC is not implemented or partial implemented

19. Thank you for you attention
Questions??
See also whitepaper