+------------------------------------------------+---------------------+
| **World Radiocommunication Conference          | ![](media/im        |
| (WRC-07)\                                      | age1.png){width="1. |
| Geneva, 22 October - 16 November 2007**        | 9270833333333333in" |
|                                                | height="0.8125in"}  |
+------------------------------------------------+---------------------+
|                                                |                     |
+------------------------------------------------+---------------------+
|                                                |                     |
+------------------------------------------------+---------------------+
| **PLENARY MEETING**                            | **Addendum 13 to**  |
|                                                |                     |
|                                                | **Document 5-E**    |
+------------------------------------------------+---------------------+
|                                                | **7 September       |
|                                                | 2007**              |
+------------------------------------------------+---------------------+
|                                                | **Original:         |
|                                                | English**           |
+------------------------------------------------+---------------------+
| United States of America                       |                     |
+------------------------------------------------+---------------------+
| PROPOSALS FOR THE WORK OF THE CONFERENCE       |                     |
+------------------------------------------------+---------------------+
| Agenda item 7.2                                |                     |
+------------------------------------------------+---------------------+

7.2 to recommend to the Council items for inclusion in the agenda for
the next WRC, and to give its views on the preliminary agenda for the
subsequent conference and on possible agenda items for future
conferences, taking into account Resolution **803** **(WRC‑03)**

Introduction

There is an increasing interest in the ability to accurately measure the
currents and waves in coastal waters and to maintain awareness of ships
for security purposes. Systems operating above 50 MHz are currently
limited in their ability to provide data meeting current accuracy, range
and resolution requirements. As a result, the global oceanography
community is planning for the implementation of high-frequency surface
wave radar networks for ocean observations. The benefits to society for
improved measurement of coastal currents and sea state include a better
understanding of issues like coastal pollution, fisheries management,
search and rescue, beach erosion, maritime navigation and sediment
transport. High-frequency surface wave radar measurements of the sea
surface provide support to meteorological operations through the
collection of sea state and dominant ocean wave data. In addition,
high-frequency surface wave radar technology has applications in global
maritime domain awareness by allowing the long-range sensing of surface
vessels. This will benefit the global safety and security of shipping
and ports. High-frequency surface wave radar technology has been used on
an experimental basis for more than 30 years to conduct measurements of
coastal sea conditions. This experimental use has allowed the
development of radar technology for such a purpose, and provided insight
into the areas of the radio spectrum where coastal sea surface radar
operation would be most suitable in terms of both compatibility with
other users and effectiveness of the ocean measurements. The need for
additional data to mitigate the effects of disasters including tsunamis,
understand climate change, and ensure safe maritime travel has lead to
the consideration of operational use of high-frequency surface wave
radar networks on a global basis. The establishment of a network of
high-frequency surface wave radar monitoring sites has been recommended
by the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Development Plan,
part of the U.S. portion of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
which is itself a substantial component of the Global Earth Observing
System of Systems (GEOSS). The Group on Earth Observations, GEO, was
established by a series of three ministerial-level summits. GEO includes

64 member countries, the European Commission, and 43 participating
organizations working together to establish a Global Earth Observation
System of Systems. The GEO vision for GEOSS is to realize a future
wherein decisions and actions for the benefit of humankind are informed
via coordinated, comprehensive and sustained Earth observations and
information. The change from experimental status to an operational
network supporting maritime safety and security, disaster management,
meteorological and oceanographic operations creates the need for
recognized regulatory status within the Radio Regulations. The fact that
a number of these radars have operated on an experimental basis for more
than 30 years is an indicator that radiolocation allocations for such
surface wave applications may have little or no effect on incumbent
users of the bands in 3 to 50 MHz range. Operators of the experimental
radars have studied ways to make the most efficient use of the spectrum
by timing operations of radars in a geographic area, using GPS signals,
so many radars can share a single frequency. A Question was approved by
ITU-R Study Group 8 (ITU‑R 240/8) addressing the sharing aspects and
appropriate frequency ranges for operation of high-frequency surface
wave radars. The work ongoing within Study Group 8 directly supports the
objectives of this proposed agenda item, making it possible for all
necessary studies to be complete in time for the 2011 World
Radiocommunication Conference.

The United States proposes to submit a new agenda item on the use of the
radiolocation service in bands around 4.5, 13 and 25 MHz to support
high-frequency surface wave radar operations to be considered at WRC-11,
as shown in the attachment.

**Attachment**: 1

ATTACHMENT

Proposal for an additional agenda item on the use of the radiolocation
service\
in bands around 4.5, 13 and 25 MHz to support high-frequency\
surface wave radar operations

***Subject:*** Radiolocation service in bands around 4.5, 13 and 25 MHz
to support high-frequency surface wave radar operations

***Origin:*** United States of America

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  ***Background/reason:*** There is   
  an increasing interest in the       
  ability to accurately measure the   
  currents and waves in coastal       
  waters and to maintain awareness of 
  ships for security purposes.        
  Systems operating above 50 MHz are  
  currently limited in their ability  
  to provide data meeting current     
  accuracy, range and resolution      
  requirements. As a result, the      
  global oceanography community is    
  planning for the implementation of  
  high-frequency surface wave radar   
  networks for ocean observations.    
  The benefits to society for         
  improved measurement of coastal     
  currents and sea state include a    
  better understanding of issues like 
  coastal pollution, fisheries        
  management, search and rescue,      
  beach erosion, maritime navigation  
  and sediment transport.             
  High-frequency surface wave radar   
  measurements of the sea surface     
  provide support to meteorological   
  operations through the collection   
  of sea state and dominant ocean     
  wave data. In addition,             
  high-frequency surface wave radar   
  technology has applications in      
  global maritime domain awareness by 
  allowing the long-range sensing of  
  surface vessels. This will benefit  
  the global safety and security of   
  shipping and ports. High-frequency  
  surface wave radar technology has   
  been used on an experimental basis  
  for more than 30 years to conduct   
  measurements of coastal sea         
  conditions. This experimental use   
  has allowed the development of      
  radar technology for such a         
  purpose, and provided insight into  
  the areas of the radio spectrum     
  where coastal sea surface radar     
  operation would be most suitable in 
  terms of both compatibility with    
  other users and effectiveness of    
  the ocean measurements. The need    
  for additional data to mitigate the 
  effects of disasters including      
  tsunamis, understand climate        
  change, and ensure safe maritime    
  travel has led to the consideration 
  of operational use of               
  high-frequency surface wave radar   
  networks on a global basis. The     
  establishment of a network of       
  high-frequency surface wave radar   
  monitoring sites has been           
  recommended by the U.S. Integrated  
  Ocean Observing System (IOOS)       
  Development Plan, part of the U.S.  
  portion of the Global Ocean         
  Observing System (GOOS) which is    
  itself a substantial component of   
  the Global Earth Observing System   
  of Systems (GEOSS). The Group on    
  Earth Observations, GEO, was        
  established by a series of three    
  ministerial-level summits. GEO      
  includes 64 member countries, the   
  European Commission, and 43         
  participating organizations working 
  together to establish a Global      
  Earth Observation System of         
  Systems. The GEO vision for GEOSS   
  is to realize a future wherein      
  decisions and actions for the       
  benefit of humankind are informed   
  via coordinated, comprehensive and  
  sustained Earth observations and    
  information. The change from        
  experimental status to an           
  operational network supporting      
  maritime safety and security,       
  disaster management, meteorological 
  and oceanographic operations        
  creates the need for recognized     
  regulatory status within the Radio  
  Regulations. The fact that a number 
  of these radars have operated on an 
  experimental basis for more than 30 
  years is an indicator that          
  radiolocation allocations for such  
  surface wave applications may have  
  little or no effect on incumbent    
  users of the bands in 3 to 50 MHz   
  range. Operators of the             
  experimental radars have studied    
  ways to make the most efficient use 
  of the spectrum by timing           
  operations of radars in a           
  geographic area, using GPS signals, 
  so many radars can share a single   
  frequency. A Question was approved  
  by ITU-R Study Group 8 (ITU-R       
  240/8) addressing the sharing       
  aspects and appropriate frequency   
  ranges for operation of             
  high-frequency surface wave radars. 
  The work ongoing within Study Group 
  8 directly supports the objectives  
  of this proposed agenda item,       
  making it possible for all          
  necessary studies to be completed   
  in time for the 2011 World          
  Radiocommunication Conference.      

  ***Radiocommunication services      
  concerned:*** Fixed, mobile,        
  broadcast, radiolocation            

  ***Indication of possible           
  difficulties:*** An initial         
  negative reaction to surface wave   
  radars operating in the 3 to 30 MHz 
  range can be overcome when          
  allocated services have an          
  opportunity to review the radar     
  system characteristics and          
  mitigation techniques available to  
  minimize impact to incumbent        
  services.                           

  ***Previous/ongoing studies on the  
  issue:*** Work is ongoing within    
  Working Party 8B, in response to    
  Question ITU-R 240/8 to determine   
  spectrum requirements and document  
  technical characteristics of        
  surface wave radars operating near  
  3 MHz, 13 MHz and 26 MHz.           

  ***Studies to be carried out by:*** ***with the participation of:***
  Study Group 8 (Working Party 8B)    Study Groups 6 and 9 as well as
                                      Study Group 8 (Working Party 8A)

  ***ITU-R Study Groups concerned:*** 

  ***ITU resource implications,       
  including financial implications    
  (refer to CV126):*** Work can be    
  completed within the existing       
  resources of the ITU-R Study        
  Groups, placing no additional       
  burden on ITU-R                     

  ***Common regional proposal:*** No  
  ***Multicountry proposal**:* No\    
  ***Number of countries:***          

  ***Remarks***                       
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

**MOD** USA/5A13/1

RESOLUTION 803 (Rev.WRC-~~03~~[7]{.underline})

Agenda for the 2011 World Radiocommunication Conference

The World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva,
200~~3~~[7]{.underline}),

...

**ADD** USA/5A13/2

**2.XYZ** taking into account the results of ITU-R studies ensuring
protection of existing services, if studies show compatibility with
existing services, consider the creation of radiolocation allocations in
bands around 4.5, 13 and 25 MHz; no larger than 300 kHz, 500 kHz and 600
kHz in bandwidth, respectively; for surface wave radar applications
(refer to Resolution **\[USA-02\]** **(WRC‑07)**);

**Reasons:** Allocations created on the basis of no undue constraints
placed on, and no compatibility issues with existing services will
provide adequate spectrum in which to conduct high-frequency surface
wave radar operations for ocean observations, on a global basis.

**ADD** USA/5A13/3

RESOLUTION \[USA-02\] (WRC-07)

Use of the radiolocation service in bands around 4.5, 13 and 25 MHz\
to support high-frequency surface wave radar operations

The World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva, 2007),

considering

*a)* that there is increasing interest, on a global basis, in the
operation of high-frequency surface wave radars for measurement of
coastal sea surface conditions to support environmental, oceanographic,
meteorological, climatological, maritime and disaster mitigation
operations;

*b)* that high-frequency surface wave radar technology has applications
in global maritime domain awareness by allowing the long-range sensing
of surface vessels, which provides a benefit to the global safety and
security of shipping and ports;

*c)* that operation of high-frequency surface wave radars provides
benefits to society through environmental protection, public health
protection, improved meteorological operations, increased coastal and
maritime safety and enhancement of national economies;

*d)* that high-frequency surface wave radars have been operated on an
experimental basis around the world, providing an understanding of
spectrum needs and spectrum sharing considerations, as well as an
understanding of the benefits these systems provide;

*e)* that between 3 and 50 MHz, no radiolocation allocations exist;

*f)* that performance and data requirements dictate the regions of
spectrum that can be used by high-frequency surface wave radar systems
for ocean observations;

*g)* that spectrum around 4.5 MHz supports long-range, low-resolution
data collection, spectrum around 13 MHz supports medium-range,
medium-resolution data collection, and around 25 MHz supports
short-range, high-resolution data collection,

recognizing

*a)* that high-frequency surface wave radars have been operated on an
experimental basis for more than 30 years;

*b)* that developers of the experimental systems have implemented
techniques to make the most efficient use of the spectrum and mitigate
interference to other radio services;

*c)* that Radiocommunication Study Group 8 has approved Question ITU-R
240/8 on the study of the most appropriate frequency bands for operation
of high-frequency surface wave radars considering both radar system
requirements and the protection of existing services;

*d)* that high-frequency surface wave radars operate with peak power
levels on the order of 50 Watts,

resolves

1 to invite ITU-R to identify high-frequency surface wave radar system
applications within the 3 to 50 MHz band, to include bandwidth
requirements, appropriate portions of this band for these applications,
and other characteristics necessary to conduct sharing studies;

2 to invite ITU-R to conduct sharing analyses between the radiolocation
service applications identified from *resolves* 1 and incumbent services
in the bands identified to be suitable for operation of high-frequency
surface wave radar systems;

3 to recommend that WRC-11 review the results of the studies under
*resolves* 2 and confirm the operation of the radiolocation service
would be compatible with, and not placing undue constraints on, existing
services in bands identified to be suitable for operation of
high-frequency surface wave radar systems;

4 that if compatibility with existing services is confirmed under
*resolves* 3, to recommend that WRC-11 consider creation of
radiolocation allocations for operation of surface wave radars in
suitable bands around 4.5, 13 and 25 MHz, no larger than 300 kHz, 500
kHz and 600 kHz in width, respectively,

invites administrations

to contribute to the sharing studies between the radiolocation service
and incumbent services in portions of the 3 to 50 MHz band identified as
suitable for high-frequency surface wave radar operations,

invites ITU-R

to complete the necessary studies, as a matter of urgency, taking into
account the present use of the allocated band, with a view to
presenting, at the appropriate time, the technical information likely to
be required as a basis for the work of WRC-11,

instructs the Secretary-General

to bring this Resolution to the attention of the International Maritime
Organization (IMO), World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and other
international and regional organizations concerned.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_