Main results of the III meeting of the Permanent Consultative Committee II: Radiocommunications including Broadcasting

The III Meeting of Permanent Consultative Committee II: Radiocommunications, including Broadcasting, was held from July 19-22, 2004 in Orlando, United States.

This meeting was chaired by Venezuela and vice-chaired by Argentina, Mexico, and, representing the Caribbean countries, Jamaica. Delegates from 19 CITEL administrations participated and significant progress was made in each of the working groups currently forming part of this Consultative Committee, which focuses on the planning and efficient use of the radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbits for radiocommunication services, including broadcasting.

With a view to optimizing the work of each Working Group, each Group Chair submitted a proposed work plan covering the key topics currently being discussed in radiocommunication and broadcasting circles. Work on these topics is scheduled to get under way following the IV Meeting of PCC II, as the aforementioned work plan is executed.

As regards the III Meeting, held in Orlando, the main achievements for each Working Group were as follows:

In connection with the activities of the Working Group for the Preparation of CITEL for Regional and World Radiocommunication Conferences, the coordinators presented the reports corresponding to each of the four WRC-07 preparatory subgroups. They established coordinators, rapporteurs, and alternate rapporteurs for each item on the order of business, and requested assistance in respect of the few items for which rapporteurs have still to be found. Information documents on the administrations’ preliminary positions were prepared, including background, queries, and initial progress made in study committees. These documents will provide the basis or starting point for future meetings of the Working Group.

With respect to the Working Group Relative to Satellite Systems to Provide Fixed and Mobile Services, topics discussed were harmonized licensing for global mobile personal communication system (GMPCS) satellite service networks, proposed guidelines for authorizing earth stations on board Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Service network aircraft, and proposals regarding the development of common procedures for granting block or generic licenses for Fixed Satellite Service earth station uplinks. The Group also continued its review of progress made by the administrations with respect to guidelines or recommended instructions that facilitate the deployment of broadband satellite systems in the Americas, approved at the previous meeting of PCC II, held in San Salvador in October 2003.

In addition, at the meetings of the Working Group on Terrestrial Fixed and Mobile Radiocommunication Services, a large number of papers were submitted on use of the radio spectrum for the fixed service, progress in ITU-R Working Party 8F (responsible for IMT-2000 topics), and updates on the deployment of CDMA and GSM technology  in the Americas, as well as other issues.

The three issues that attracted most attention during the III Meeting of PCC.II were: current and planned use of the 450 MHz band for IMT-2000; actions currently being taken by the administrations to implement the terrestrial component of IMT-2000 in the band 2500-2690 MHz; and progress made in regional harmonization of frequencies and technical conditions for operating unlicensed devices in the 5 GHz band.

With respect to the first issue, a Decision was made to request member states to remit, before the next meeting of PCC.II information regarding current and future plans to use portions 410-430 MHz and 450-470 MHz.

As regards the band 2500-2690 MHz, a recommendation was approved on proposals for frequency arrangements for implementation of IMT-2000 in that band.

Regarding the last of the aforementioned issues, a Decision was taken to distribute the Report containing the conclusions of the Sub-Working Group on 5 GHz and to request the Members of PCC.II to comment on use of portions of the band prior to the next meeting.

For its part, the Working Group on Broadcasting devoted considerable attention to progress made by the administrations with respect to terrestrial sound broadcasting and television.

As regards digital sound broadcasting, documents were presented on the current status of efforts to introduce In-Band-on-Channel digital sound broadcasting, best known as IBOC.

With respect to digital television, attention focused on the administrations’ progress in implementing Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT).

After ample debate by several administrations regarding the development of model guidelines for implementing digital terrestrial television, the Committee adopted resolution RES.15 (III-04), “Desirability and Timeliness of Developing and Executing an Action Plan for Supporting the Implementation of Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting in the Americas,”  aimed at developing a work program between now and the end of 2005 to support CITEL member states in their efforts to set goals and formulate policies for implementing digital terrestrial television broadcasting and to develop their individual plans for introducing the services involved.

The Ad Hoc Working Group on Coordination of the Activities resulting from the AHCIET Proposed Study listed achievements and mentioned the great success of the technical seminar on terrestrial broad band, held during the second meeting of PCC.II, which prompted debate on four issues related to the deployment of broadband services:             Economic and Social Benefits; Real World Experiences of Deployment and Lessons Learned; Emerging Technologies and the Development and Application of Standards.

During the III Meeting of PCC.II, a Decision was taken (PCC.II/DEC. 16 (III-04)) to send a note to those interested in the publication of the procedures during the Wireless Broadband Access Seminar to request sponsorship for the publication, especially to presenters, seminar participants, and others that may be interested.

Alvin Lezama
Chair PCC.II
Director of CONATEL-Venezuela