1. NBTC/ITU Workshop on Cross-Border Frequency Coordination June 29 - 30, 2015 Bangkok, Thailand

2. Roles of Regional Offices Regional Offices may represent the first contact point for applicants requiring radio frequency assignments. The presence and/or necessity of Regional Offices may depend on: Historical development of organizational structure of the Frequency Administration Country size and population density Two types/roles of Regional Offices*: In the center of a country frequency assignment might be possible without frequency co-ordination Frequency assignment in the border zones will probably require foregoing frequency co-ordination *may be co-located with other organizational units/tasks, e. g. Monitoring

3. Roles of Regional Offices In history the role of Regional Offices was quite substantial. To evaluate applications on frequency assignment and the potential border co- ordination obligation staff in Regional Offices had to be familiar with the geographical characteristics of the landscape. Nowadays with the availability of electronic geo-data knowledge upon geography is no more bound to local presence. It is accessible by Spectrum Management Systems or Geographical Information Systems (GIS). E. g. within the German Frequency Administration in recent years the number of Regional Offices entrusted with frequency assignment has been reduced stepwise from about 50 to 5 !

4. Roles of Regional Offices If Regional Offices are established their tasks regarding frequency assignment my be restricted to specific radio services or applications, e. g. Small business radio (PMR) Radio for emergency services Short-wave / long-wave broadcasting Amateur service whereas other radio services may be assigned from a Central Office, e. g. Trunk Radio (TETRA, TETRAPOL) Radio Relay Broadcast (DAB, DVB-T) Satellite Services

5. Roles of Regional Offices Central Office International Frequency Co-ordination Country A Country B Country C Country X Regional Office Fr. Assignment Regional Office Fr. Assignment Central Office Fr. Assignment Central Office Fr. Assignment (Illustration refers to one radio service)

6. Roles of Regional Offices Conclusions: Existing Regional Offices may be maintained but the necessity to establish new Regional Offices is doubted Intended assignments in the border area have to be evaluated by Regional Offices if international frequency co-ordination is necessary If yes, it is recommended that Regional Offices send the co- ordination request to their Central Office which initiates co- ordination with neighboring administration(s) Single contact points for international frequency co-ordination considered advantageous

7. Thank you !