***RCS WRC --07 Agenda Item Scope and High-Level Work Plan***[^1]

**Agenda Item**: **1.7:** to consider the results of ITU-R studies
regarding sharing between the mobile-satellite service and the space
research service (passive) in the band 1668 - 1668.4 MHz, and between
the mobile-satellite service and the mobile service in the band 1668.4 -
1675 MHz in accordance with Resolution **744** **(WRC‑03);**

**Short Description**: Resolution **744** **(WRC-03)**, deals with
sharing between the MSS (Earth-to-space) and the research (passive)
service in the band 1668 -- 1668.4 MHz and between the MSS
(Earth-to-space) and the fixed and mobile services in the band 1668.4 --
1675 MHz.

**Background**: At WRC-03, a new global allocation was made to the MSS
(Earth-to-space) in the band 1668 -- 1675 MHz and a global allocation to
the MSS (space-to-Earth) in the band 1518 - 1525 MHz. Inmarsat and
Thuraya provided support for this Agenda Item. In the U.S., the band
1668 -- 1668.4 MHz is allocated to the Meteorological Aids (radiosonde)
and Radio Astronomy, both on a primary basis. The band 1670 - 1675 MHz
is currently planned for use in the United States for the fixed and
mobile services, and the MSS shall not claim protection from fixed and
mobile stations operating within the U.S. Mexico expressed interest in
new allocations for the MSS at the WRC and thus there may be
cross-border issues to be resolved.

There is currently no use and no plans for use of the SRS service in the
1668-1668.4 MHz.

**Countries with Particular Interest**: The U.K. supported this agenda
item. France has been interested, to the extent of providing initial
sharing studies with Radio Astronomy. The Arab countries also expressed
a high level of interest in this agenda item and were active
participants in the discussion of this issue at WRC-03.

**Scope of Agenda Item**: The U.S. will not be heavily involved in
sharing studies between the mobile service and the MSS in the1668.4 --
1675 MHz band.

**Key technical/regulatory issues to be resolved**: Studies relating to
provisions to protect radio astronomy and MetAids from harmful
interference from mobile earth stations in the band 1668 - 1668.4 MHz.
This will likely involve the need for position location information on
the MESs. Studies for the use of the band 1668.4 -- 1675 MHz by the
mobile service, and to complete any relevant sharing studies between the
mobile service and the MSS in this band, taking care to avoid undue
constraints on either service;

**Key policy issues to be resolved**: These two sharing studies will be
addressed in the Radio Regulations. The U.S. will not need a domestic
rulemaking, since MSS is not used in the above bands.

**Work Plan and Organization Participation**: Low level participation
from the U.S. is expected, with the U.S. RAS community keeping an eye on
the sharing studies that take place. Studies will be performed by
Inmarsat and possibly by the French Space Agency (CNET), or Alcatel.

The responsible group for this agenda item is WP 8D, while WP 7C is a
contributing group and WP 8A and WP 9D are interested groups.

**Reference Material:** Resolution **744**

[^1]: **Author:** Chris Hofer and Tom Gergely **Date**: May 26, 2004