*r Tir COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 18.06.1997 
COM(97) 304 final 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 
TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 
THE WORLD RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE 1997 
(WRC-97) 

TABLE OF CONTENT 
SUMMARY 
1. INTRODUCTION 
2. BACKGROUND TO SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT AND WORLD 
RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCES 6 
2.1 Why spectrum management is important 6 
2.2 The international regulation of the radio spectrum 7 
2.3 The European approach towards WRC s 8 
3. WRC DECISIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF COMMUNITY POLICIES 10 
3.1 Radio frequencies and Community policies on radiocommunications 10 
3.2 Frequencies in relation to other Community policies 11 
4. THE NEED FOR A CONCERTED APPROACH IN VIEW OF THE WRC-97 
4.1 Analysis of current approach and proposals for improvement 
4.2 The WRC-97 agenda 
4.3 Issues for forthcoming WRCs 15 
15 
18 
20 
5. CONCLUSIONS 21 
ANNEX I: MAIN ISSUES ON THE WRC-97 AGENDA ?^ 
ANNEX II: GLOSSARY 24 
/ C \ 
SUMMARY 
The radio spectrum is a scarce resource, essential for the provision of radiocommunications 
services. Spectrum-based technologies are a major contributor to economic growth both 
directly and by bringing down barriers to trade in a wide range of other economic sectors. ' 
Due to an increase in demand for spectrum as a result of economic growth, 
telecommunications liberalisation, and technical innovations in radio communications, 
decisions on the cross-border availability of harmonised radio spectrum depend on the level of 
development of the radiocommunications sector across nations.2 
The future planning of frequency bands in the Community to a large extent depends on 
decisions taken at World Radiocommunications Conferences (WRCs) which are organised 
under the auspices of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). At WRCs, countries 
decide upon frequency allocations and sharing arrangements. The next WRC (i.e. WRC-97) 
will be held in Geneva from 27 October to 21 November 1997. 
The implications of the decisions taken at WRCs go beyond the technical requirements for the 
coordination of radio frequencies at the global level. In fact, decisions on radio frequencies 
concern issues of public policy regarding the availability and efficient use of an economic 
scarce resource. It is therefore essential to relate the technical decisions taken at WRCs 
to broader policy aspects, for example as concerns telecommunications regulation, 
competition policy, and trade issues. 
In the context of Community telecommunications policy, Council Directives on GSM (Global 
System for Mobile communications), DECT (Digital European Cordless 
Telecommunications), and ERMES (European Radio Messaging System), as well as a 
Council Decision on S-PCS (Satellite Personal Communications Services) have been adopted 
which include important binding provisions for the availability and use of radio frequencies 
for these important second generation mobile technologies. More recently, the Commission 
adopted a Communication on the further development of mobile and wireless 
communications (UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) which, in the 
context of the emerging 'wireless information society', addresses key issues, including on 
frequencies, in order to ensure that the Community's considerable economic stake in radio 
communications is safeguarded into the next Century. Decisions on frequencies in the 
context of WRCs should therefore comply with the acquis communautaire in the policy 
areas mentioned above. 
In the context of the recently concluded agreement on basic telecommunications in the World 
Trade Organisation (WTO), it was agreed that any national spectrum management measure 
which has the purpose or effect of blocking, or unreasonably limiting, market access for 
operators from other WTO Member countries in a discriminatory manner would violate the 
' As an example, in the UK the radio sector is estimated to contribute about 1.5% of gross domestic 
product and 1% of employment. 
For example, penetration rates of cellular mobile radiocommunications in the Community, currently at 
an average level of 14%, have already reached 30% in some countries and it is anticipated that they will rise to 
40-50% of the population by 2005. 
1 K 
GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services), since the GATS outlaws discriminatory, 
anti-competitive or arbitrary frequency management decisions. WRC decisions may further 
downstream impact on market access commitments made under the GATS. In this context, it 
is important to avoid that certain countries use the ITU or a WRC to reformulate or re­
interpret their GATS market access commitments. 
In accordance with the Council's views on the Europe-wide cooperation on radio frequencies, 
the Member States of the European Union (EU) work out European Common Proposals for 
WRCs in the CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications 
administrations), the inter-governmental cooperation platform on telecommunications 
regulation between 43 European countries. The CEPT coordination proved to be reasonably 
effective at the previous conference in 1995 which adopted nearly all 86 European Common 
Proposals. However, it should be mentioned that the CEPT coordination focuses on items on 
the WRC agenda but lacks a mechanism to deal with proposals which are submitted at the 
conference itself and concern issues for which no coordinated position has been developed. 
This became evident when a proposal was submitted at the WRC-95 to have frequencies 
allocated to broadband satellite services (i.e. the so-called Teledesic issue). 
The WRC-97 will deal with an extensive agenda of technically detailed issues, for which 
nearly 160 European Common Proposals have been adopted by the CEPT . For the most part, 
the WRC-97 agenda items relate to inconclusive results of the WRC-95 on important items 
which include the mobile satellite and fixed satellite service and are therefore expected once 
more to become items of major technical and political discussion. In addition, proposals for 
the agendas of forthcoming WRC conferences in 1999 and 2001 have been formulated. In this 
respect, and in accordance with the Community policy on the future of wireless 
communications, the CEPT will propose to have the WRC-99 deal with the frequency 
requirements of third generation mobile technologies (i.e. UMTS) and a failure to have it 
become an agenda item at the WRC-99 would have major consequences for the European 
stakes in the mobile sector. 
Against this background, and considering that the availability of radio frequencies is a sine 
qua non for the further development of the Community's radiocommunications sector, 
the purpose of the present Communication is to inform Council and Parliament about the 
issues at stake at WRCs, to identify how WRC decisions relate to Community policy on 
radiocommunications, and to propose the following necessary improvements: 
• the Community should be more closely involved in the WRC process, in particular as 
concerns the support for CEPT work, to liaise with industry, to raise political awareness, 
and to assist in establishing and maintaining contacts with third countries in order to ensure 
that WRC results are fully compatible with the acquis communautaire, telecommunications 
and other policy objectives; 
• the Commission or Member States should call for the establishment of a common 
Community position: 
a) in case Member States disagree amongst themselves on proposals submitted to 
the conference which affect the Community as a whole; 
b) when Member States disagree with other CEPT countries on such proposals; 
c) when CEPT proposals do not comply with Community interests; or 
d) when a common Community position can contribute to strengthen the CEPT 
proposals in discussions with third countries. 
industry at Community level should be more vocal in contributing to the development of 
positions to be worked out by the CEPT and should participate at WRCs where there is a 
need for on-the-spot consultation; and 
the positions worked out prior to and at the conference itself are appropriately endorsed by 
industry and political instances. 
1. INTRODUCTION 
The further development of the radio communications sector in the Community depends to a 
large extent on national, regional, and international decisions on the availability and usage of 
radio frequencies. For example, penetration rates of cellular mobile radiocommunications in 
the Community have already reached 30% in some countries and it is anticipated that they 
will rise to 40-50% of the population by 2005. In order to meet the demand for such 
radiocommunications services, frequencies need to be made available. 
The future planning of frequency bands in the European Union depends on the decisions taken 
at World Radiocommunications Conferences (WRCs3). These are held every two years under 
the auspices of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the specialised agency of 
the United Nations for telecommunications. The WRCs decide whether, how, and under what 
conditions frequency requirements for current and planned radiocommunications systems can 
be accommodated. 
The next WRC will be held in Geneva from 27 October to 21 November 1997. 
The implications of the decisions taken at WRCs go beyond the technical requirements for the 
coordination of radio frequencies at the global level. In fact, decisions on radio frequencies 
concern issues of public policy regarding the availability and efficient use of an economic 
scarce resource. It is therefore essential that public policy objectives are taken into account in 
the technical decisions taken at WRCs, for example as concerns telecommunications 
regulatory and trade policy. 
All 15 Member States of the European Union are full members of the ITU. The European 
Community has the status of observer within the ITU. On the basis of its existing 
observership status within the ITU, the Community has participated most recently at the 
WRCs in 1992 and 1995. 
As requested by Council4, common European positions in relation to the use of the frequency 
spectrum concerning international frequency harmonisation, in particular with regard to the 
ITU and its relevant WRCs, should be worked out by the Member States using mechanisms 
set up by CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications administrations).5 
Within CEPT, the Conference Preparatory Group (CPG) co-ordinates the preparation for 
WRCs through the adoption of so-called European Common Proposals (ECPs) and provides 
J Prior to 1993, these conferences were called World Administrative Radio Conferences (WARCs). The 
text will however refer to WRCs which does not make a difference of substance. 
4 Council Resolution of 28 June 1990 on the strengthening of the Europe-wide cooperation on radio 
frequencies, in particular with regard to services with a pan-European dimension, 90/C 166/02, OJ No CI66/4, 
7.7.90. 
5 CEPT comprises the following 43 European (including all 15 EU) countries: Albania, Andorra, Austria, 
Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, 
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, 
Malta, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, 
Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, 
Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City. 
its members with standpoints with briefing material and proposed positions (the so-called 
CEPT Briefs) which together should ensure European coordination at WRCs. 
The Community is represented in the CPG by the Commission which has the status of 
Counsellor. The Commission ensures that the ECPs to be adopted comply with the acquis 
communautaire, in particular as concerns the frequency directives on GSM, DECT, and 
ERMES6. Compatibility of WRC decisions with the Community's telecommunications 
regulatory framework and other relevant policies, such as the Community's obligations under 
the international trade regime, also needs to be ensured. 
WRC decisions may influence Community policy on radiocommunications. For example, as a 
result of WRC decisions on the availability of frequencies for satellite personal 
communications services (S-PCS), the Council adopted on 6 March 1997 a Decision on S-
PCS in order to facilitate the introduction of such services in Europe while, at the international 
level, a MoU on GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communications Services by satellites) is 
being formalised. On the other hand, the emerging European policy with respect to the 
transition of second generation, such as GSM and DCS-1800, to third generation mobile 
technologies, such as UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), should include 
firm action with respect to WRCs in order to secure sufficient frequencies. In this respect, 
Community policy should result in WRC decisions. 
For the last WRC in 1995, 40 of the 43 CPG member countries, including all EU Member 
States, co-signed 87 ECPs most of which were adopted by the conference and which support 
the further development of Europe's radiocommunications sector. For the WRC-97, the CPG 
is expected to adopt around 160 ECPs on virtually all agenda items. 
In order to ensure common Community and wider European positions at the WRCs which 
safeguard the Community's interest in the international arena, the aim of this Communication 
is, firstly, to: 
• inform Council and Parliament about the issues at stake at WRCs, 
• identify how WRC decisions relate to Community policy on radiocommunications, and 
• describe how Europe is preparing its positions. 
Secondly, to propose complementary actions with the aim to: 
• raise awareness at the political level and at the level of industry as to the issues and 
interests at stake at WRCs and to achieve a greater level of involvement and support for the 
positions worked out; and 
• ensure that the decisions taken at WRCs comply with the acquis communautaire and 
relevant Community policies, in particular on telecommunications regulation and trade. 
6 EU Member States are required under Community law to ensure that international agreements which 
they enter into, (which would include the WRC), are compatible with Community law. 
2. BACKGROUND TO SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT AND WORLD RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS 
CONFERENCES 
2.1 Why spectrum management is important 
The radio spectrum7 has to be managed and carefully planned in order: 
• to ensure the proper functioning of radiocommunications services; 
• to avoid transmission interference; 
• to ensure a predictable frequency environment which allows for investment in radio 
equipment; and 
• to achieve economies of scale through international coordination of frequencies for cross-
border or global networks and services or for services provided in contingent areas. 
Spectrum management requires a careful balancing between the interests of existing users and 
new candidates (e.g. analogue mobile and broadcasting services vs. digital services, terrestrial 
vs. satellite communications) as well as amongst users (e.g. civil vs. military and other 
government use, incumbent vs. 'new' operators). This often results in trade-offs between 
economic interests, national security considerations, and international obligations. 
The technical coordination of the radio spectrum was relatively easy as long as enough 
spectrum was available to accommodate all applicants. However, economic growth, greater 
competition in telecommunications and broadcasting, and technical innovation have fuelled 
demand for spectrum. Such demand is particularly acute for private mobile radio, mobile 
telephony (i.e. GSM, DCS-1800, S-PCS), terrestrial broadcasting, and fixed radio 
communications links. In the field of satellite communications, the systems which appear to 
offer great potential in terms of service package, number of subscribers, and geographical 
coverage concern in particular S-PCS and, more recently, decisions have been made for the 
use of the higher frequency bands, i.e. 19/29 GHz, by broadband radio communications 
services, including voice, data, video. *© 
Beyond the technical requirements for the coordination of the radio spectrum, frequency 
management increasingly also relates to regulatory issues and trade policy. 
At the time of the negotiations on Basic Telecommunications Services conducted in the 
framework of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) under the auspices of the 
WTO,8 it was recognised that, although frequency management is not per se incompatible 
with the GATS principles, frequency allocation and assignment measures or technical 
7 The radio spectrum is usually taken to comprise that part of the electromagnetic spectrum between 
frequencies of 3 kHz and 3000 GHz. Different frequencies have different characteristics that make them suited 
for particular applications. The limits of use of the radio spectrum are set by propagation factors and other 
technical criteria. 
8 WTO/GATS Agreement on Basic Telecommunications Services, concluded on 15 February 1997: 69 
Member countries of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) -- including the European Community and its 
Member States -- reached agreement on the liberalisation of the global market for telecommunications, currently 
estimated to be worth more than 600 billion US dollar. 
coordination procedures taken by WTO Member countries for radio-based systems may 
operate as disguised barriers to trade. 
Radiocommunications operators, in particular in the area of satellite communications, would 
prefer to have exclusive access to certain frequency bands without having to share that 
spectrum with other (competitive) operators since technical provisions to allow for shared 
spectrum usage makes service provision significantly more expensive. However, the exclusive 
assignment of frequencies àt thé national and international level to a single operator is 
unlikely for economic, political, and cultural reasons. In other words, the use of radio 
frequencies is in essence a question of public policy concerning the efficient use of an 
economic scarce resource. It is therefore essential that technical decisions on the use of radio 
frequencies are set against wider public policy objectives. 
2.2 The international regulation of the radio spectrum 
WRCs decide upon the future frequency allocations and sharing arrangements which will 
effect the potential for telecommunications development9. All countries at WRCs are 
therefore pressing claims, often conflicting, upon scarce radio frequencies and orbital 
positions. WRCs result in a Final Act, embodying a regulation which in principle will be 
binding on all ITU members10. Member countries may, however, make reservations 
indicating parts of the Final Act which they will not or will only partially implement. . 
The aim of the ITU regulations11 is to provide the minimum treaty-level agreements required 
to permit the existing global telecommunications system to function, and to facilitate the 
development and application of new technologies. As radio waves cannot be contained within 
national boundaries, it is essential that governments agree at both a global and regional level 
on which radiocommunications services will use which frequencies, as well as on the rules 
and procedures to avoid harmful interference, for example between terrestrial radio stations 
and earth orbiting satellites. 
9 How systems eventually enter the market through a series of international, regional, and national 
agreements can be illustrated with DCS-1800. At the WRC-92, decisions were made concerning the future 
global use of the radio spectrum by terrestrial mobile communications and satellite based communications 
systems. Consequently, decisions were made at the European level in the CEPT framework to allocate certain 
frequency bands to DCS-1800. At the level of the EU, DCS-1800 is considered to pave the way for the provision 
of personal communications services in the emerging Information Society and Member States have been 
required by Directive 96/2/EC to allocate licenses for the deployment of such systems. At the national level, 
certain Member States have in fact assigned spectrum to DCS-1800 operators while in other Member States the 
identified bands first need to be cleared since they are still in use by incumbent telecommunications 
organisations or the military. 
10 Currently, the ITU has 186 members, including all CEPT member countries. 
H The basic instrument of the ITU is the International Telecommunication Convention, which has 
international treaty status when ratified. Regulations and plans for spectrum allocation and usage, known as the 
ITU Radio Regulations, are agreed through World Radiocommunications Conferences (WRCs), which are 
organised on a biannual basis. The frequency allocations in the ITU Radio Regulations for satellite 
communications services are divided amongst their technical transmission (and not regulatory) characteristic 
the most important being the fixed, mobile, broadcasting, and radiodetermination satellite services. 
The ITU Radio Regulations embody these agreements. 
Examples of issues discussed at WRCs include: 
• To what extent are (additional) frequency allocations required for new or existing 
radiocommunications systems, such as mobile and satellite communications and 
broadcasting? 
• In which part of the frequency spectrum can new allocations be accommodated? 
• What impact do frequency allocations have on existing or planned systems in terms of 
interference and sharing possibilities and which system should have priority over the other 
in the use of the spectrum? 
The Community has the status of observer within the ITU but its participation is limited to the 
attendance of WRCs and meetings of the ITU study groups. On the basis of its existing 
observership status, the Community has most recently participated at the WRCs in 1992 and 
1995. 
National frequency allocation12 tables are based on the ITU Radio Regulations, although 
minor national variations may sometimes occur. Rather, the national tables usually clarify the 
user (or users) to whom the bands are allocated. In the Member States of the EU, it is the radio 
communications department of the National Regulatory Authority for telecommunications 
(NRA) which manages nearly all the civil radio spectrum and is responsible for spectrum 
allocated for military use and certain other government departments and bodies. These "radio 
authorities" are responsible for enforcement against illegal transmitters, ensuring compliance 
with license conditions, and resolving complaints about interference; they usually also 
represent the national interests in international fora such as the CEPT and ITU. 
2.3 The European approach towards WRCs 
Beyond the global allocation of frequency bands, agreement at regional level (in Europe 
within the CEPT) is equally important on the precise identification of frequency ranges within 
the globally established bands which particular services and systems will use. This ensures 
both avoidance of interference between different systems, and, in a European Community 
context, that Europe-wide service provision and operation, supported by roaming, is enabled. 
1- Allocation (of a frequency band): entry in the Table of Frequency Allocations of a given frequency 
band for the purpose of its use by one or more terrestrial or space radiocommunication services or the radio 
astronomy service under specified conditions. Allotment (of a radio frequency or radio frequency channel): entry 
of a designated frequency channel in an agreed plan, adopted by a competent conference, for use by one or more 
administrations for a terrestrial or space radiocommunication service in one or more identified countries or 
geographical areas and under specified conditions. Assignment (of a radio frequency or radio frequency 
channel): authorisation given by an administration for a radio station to use a radio, frequency or radio frequency 
channel under specified conditions. It is important to note that national administrations, and not the ITU or 
WRCs, actually determine which operators may use certain radio frequencies or radio frequency channels. 
In accordance with Council Resolutions 90/C 166/0213, 92/C 318/0114, and the Council 
Conclusions of 7 December 199315, the Commission is required to give full consideration to 
the mechanism of decisions of the European Radiocommunications Committee (ERC) of the 
CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations) as the 
primary method of ensuring the provision of the necessary frequencies for new Europe-wide 
radio services. 
As to the international dimension of the regulation of the radio spectrum, Council Resolution 
90/C 166/02 considers as a major policy goal developing common European positions in 
relation to the use of the frequency spectrum concerning international frequency 
harmonisation, in particular with regard to the ITU and its relevant WRCs, using mechanisms 
set up by CEPT. 
These common European positions are developed within the Conference Preparatory Group 
(CPG) of the CEPT. It co-ordinates the preparation for WRCs through the adoption of so-
called European Common Proposals (ECPs), which are co-signed by the individual CPG 
administrations, and the CEPT Brief which gives the CEPT line on each agenda item, together 
with background information and, where appropriate, comments on proposals from other 
countries. This is intended to ensure that Europe speaks with one voice in negotiating its 
interests in radiocommunications at WRCs. 
Taking into account that WRCs take place every two years, the CEPT established in 1994 the 
CPG as a permanent autonomous working group to coordinate the preparations for WRCs. 
The preparation of ECPs is of a highly teclinical nature carried out by several hundreds of 
frequency experts of the CPG member countries. It not only requires in-depth knowledge of 
the current and planned use of the frequency spectrum at the European level but also at the 
global level in order to formulate positions on third country proposals. 
The Commission represents the Community in the CPG as Counsellor, though the EU 
Member States participate in their own right. It ensures that the common positions to be 
adopted comply with the acquis communautaire and are in accordance with Community 
policies on, in particular, telecommunications and trade. The Commission also closely 
scrutinises the balance to be struck between representation of the interests of the Community 
in the formulation of positions to be defended by the CPG which comprises 43 countries with 
very differing levels of radiocommunications development. 
l-3 Council Resolution of 28 June 1990 on the strengthening of the Europe-wide cooperation on radio 
frequencies, in particular with regard to services with a pan-European dimension, 90/C 166/02, OJ No CI66/4, 
7.7.90. 
14 Council Resolution of 19 November 1992 on the implementation in the Community of the European 
Radiocommunications Committee Decisions, 92/C 318/01, OJ No C318/1, 4.12.92. 
15 See Council press release 10910/93 224-G. 
3. WRC DECISIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF COMMUNITY POLICIES 
3.1 Radio frequencies and Community policies on radiocommunications 
The objectives of Community policy with regard to radio frequencies16 are: 
• to secure required radiocommunications frequencies for the implementation and operation, 
as far as possible in competition, of Community-wide and Europe-wide trans-European 
systems and services to foster the creation of an internal market for radiocommunications 
equipment and services. The adoption of Council Directives on GSM17, DECT18, and 
ERMES19 were inspired by this objective. 
• to achieve Community-wide markets in order to allow economies of scale for the 
introduction of new equipment, in particular equipment produced according to European 
standards worked out by the European standardisation system. This objective will be 
essential in many cases if the Community wants to make full use of the work undertaken in 
the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). 
• to ensure common Community and wider European positions at the WRCs, in order to 
safeguard the Community's interest in the international arena. 
As stated above, and at the request of the Council, these common European positions are 
worked out in the framework of the CPG and not at the level of the Community. However, 
considering that the availability of frequencies is a sine qua non for the further development 
of Europe's radiocommunications sector, the Community's political weight should be 
employed to its full extent in order to ensure that the relevant policies are taken into account 
in the deliberations at the level of the CPG and WRCs. 
In addition to the availability of frequency bands, the development of mobile, satellite and 
wireless services in the Community should be seen in a wider context and also depends on. 
inter alia: 
• the liberalisation of telecommunications markets in the Community by 1 January 1998 
which is stimulating the demand for spectrum (e.g. considerable growth of mobile 
16 A New Approach to the co-ordination of radio frequencies in the Community. Communication from the 
Commission concerning a proposal for a Council Decision on the implementation by the Member States of 
measures concerning radio frequencies, COM(93) 382 final, 10.9.93. 
17 Council Directive of 25 June 1987 on the frequency bands to be reserved for the co-ordinated 
introduction of public pan-European cellular digital land-based mobile communications in the European 
Community (GSM), (87/372/EEC; OJ L 196/85, 17.07.1987). 
'8 Council Directive of 3 June 1991 on the frequency bands designated for the co-ordinated introduction 
of digital European cordless telecommunications into the Community (DECT), (91/287/EEC; OJ L 144/45, 
08.06.1991). 
19 Council Directive of 9 October 1990 on the frequency bands designated for the co-ordinated 
introduction of pan-European land-based public radio paging in the Community (ERMES), (90/544/EEC; OJ L 
310/28,09.11.1990). 
10 
networks such as GSM and DCS-1800 in terms of subscribers, network providers, and 
coverage); 
• the degree to which industry develops new radiocommunications systems in order to meet 
the requirements for communications in the emerging Information Society (e.g. the 
development of so-called third generation mobile systems such as UMTS and S-PCS); 
• the Community's policy with respect to the cross-border provision and mutual recognition 
of telecommunications and radiocommunications equipment (e.g. standardisation and CE 
marking policies); 
• social and cultural policies with respect to the dissemination of information and 
broadcasting services (e.g. data protection and cross-border television policies); and 
• the Community's trade relations with third countries in terms of market access 
commitments in view of its obligations under the international trade regime (e.g. the WTO 
Agreement). 
Taking into account that the availability of harmonised spectrum across the Community and 
more widely throughout the CEPT countries is a prerequisite for the pan-European provision 
of mobile, fixed, and satellite radiocommunications services and related equipment, it is 
essential to ensure that the decisions to be taken by WRCs are in accordance with Europe's 
interests in the radiocommunications sector. 
3.2 Frequencies in relation to other Community policies 
Community policy on radiocommunications is both influenced by WRC decisions and should 
aim at obtaining results at WRCs which are consistent with those policy objectives. This 
means that in approaching frequency issues, the Community must look beyond the Member 
States obligations to ensure timely implementation of frequency decisions taken at WRCs, in 
order to establish clear objectives for the Community at WRCs. Those objectives will be 
established in the light of current policy priorities20. 
Community policy on S-PCS 
Following frequency allocations by the WRC-92, satellite personal communications services 
(S-PCS) have been licensed in the United States and launch programmes are underway. 
These services be soon commercially available and have the potential to offer voice telephony 
on a world-wide basis with a hand-held terminal. On the basis of a Communication on S-
PCS21, Council adopted in December 1993 a Resolution22 emphasising the importance of 
20 Including but not limited to policies related to: second generation and third generation mobile 
communications systems and satellite communications (GSM, DECT, ERMES, DCS-1800, UMTS, S-PCS), 
broadcasting, radionavigation and positioning, Earth observation applications. 
-1 Communication from the Commission on satellite personal communications, COM(93) 171 final, 
27.04.93. 
22 Council Resolution of 7 December 1993 on the introduction of satellite personal communications 
services in the Community (93/C 339/01 ; 16.12.93). 
11 
developing a Community policy in this area and inviting the Commission, inter alia, to 
investigate the significance of satellite personal communications in the formulation of Union 
policies for telecommunications, space, trade, industry, regional development, and, where 
necessary, to propose appropriate measures and/or actions. As proposée! by the Commission23, 
Council adopted on 6 March 1997 a Decision with the aim of establishing by July of 1997 a 
common selection of satellite systems for such services and the adoption of harmonised 
conditions for services, equipment, interconnection, numbering, and gateway access operating 
in determined frequency bands.24 
Furthermore, since S-PCS services will be global, it was decided at the ITU World Policy 
Forum of 1996 to set up a MoU (i.e. GMPCS MoU) to address international regulatory issues, 
such as type approval and marking, terminal licensing, access to traffic data, and customs 
issues. 
S-PCS is again on the agenda of the WRC-97. It is important to ensure that any new WRC 
decisions regarding S-PCS comply with the Community policy established thus far. 
Community policy on UMTS 
The Commission Green Paper on mobile and personal communications25 identified the 
continued support for the evolution towards personal communications and the need to ensure 
a smooth transition towards UMTS as important pre-requisites for providing Europe with a 
long-term perspective for the telecommunications sector. Today, broad consensus exists as to 
the important role of UMTS in establishing global information infrastructures. It should be 
noted that the WRC in 1992 identified frequency bands for FPLMTS (Future Public Land 
Mobile Telecommunications Systems)26, whose European version is UMTS. As was the case 
with the introduction of GSM in the 1980s, important regulatory issues (e.g. licensing, 
numbering, and frequency band allocation) for UMTS need to be addressed in the near future 
in order to create the conditions for investment and a predictable environment for the alliances 
likely to emerge to develop UMTS. 
To this end, the Commission has initiated the set-up of a UMTS Forum, the objective of 
which is to contribute to the elaboration of a European policy for the transition towards the 
UMTS environment. The UMTS Forum will provide its recommendations, including on 
frequency requirements for UMTS, in the summer of 1997. In parallel, the Commission has 
23 Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on an action in the field of satellite personal 
communications services in the European Union, COM(95) 529 final, OJ C 15/6, 20.1.96. 
24 Decision No 710/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on a coordinated authorisation 
approach in the field of satellite personal-communications services in the Community, OJ L105, 23.4.97. 
2^ Towards the personal communications environment: Green Paper on a common approach to mobile 
and personal communications in the European Union, COM(94) 145 final, 27.04.94. 
26 Recently, the ITU changed the acronym FPLMTS into IMT-2000 (International Mobile 
Telecommunications with 2000 referring to the year IMT is likely to be implemented). 
12 
initiated the political debate on the possible need for further regulatory action as regards 
UMTS in a Communication27 which outlines the regulatory and strategic issues at stake. 
The frequency bands identified at the WRC-92 for UMTS are likely to be insufficient to 
accommodate the requirements in Europe in the longer term. It is therefore important to 
ensure that Europe formulates its position with regard to frequency requirements for UMTS as 
a matter of urgency in order to seek additional frequency allocations at forthcoming WRCs. 
Community policy with respect to Research and Technological Development 
The Commission proposal for the Fifth Framework Programme of the EC for RTD Activities 
(1998-2002)28 includes research activities on the development of generic earth observation 
technologies, notably satellite technologies for environmental monitoring and resources, and 
ecosystem management which are closely related to other Community policies, such as 
agriculture, fisheries, environmental, etc.. R&D activities on earth observation are also called 
upon in the broader context of the Communication to the Council and the European 
Parliament on the European Union and Space: Fostering Applications, Markets and Industrial 
Competitiveness29. 
At this critical stage of the further opening up of the potential of space research and earth 
observation, it is important that the WRC negotiations closely follow the potential 
development of these initiatives, and do not act as a detriment to stakeholders in their 
successful application (industry, users, research organisations, and international agencies, 
such as ESA and EUMETSAT). It is particularly important to identify the necessary 
frequencies for this use of general interest and to avoid possible impediments restricting such 
optimum use. 
Community competition policy 
Directive 96/2/EC on mobile and personal communications30 has set out the basic framework 
regarding the attribution of frequencies. Under this Directive, Member States must publish 
every year or make available on request, the allocation scheme of frequencies reserved for 
mobile and personal communications services, according to the scheme set out in the annex of 
the Directive. Furthermore, Directive 96/19/EC on the implementation of full competition in 
telecommunications markets31 states the obligation of the Member States not to refuse 
licenses as far as frequencies are available. The Treaty competition rules do not distinguish 
between mobile systems based on standards developed by European bodies, such as ETSI, or 
27 Communication to the European Parliament and the Council on the further development of mobile and 
wireless communications in Europe -- challenges and choices, COM(97)217 final, 29.05.97. 
28 COM(97)142,30.04.97. 
29 COM(96)617, 04.12.96. 
J0 Commission Directive of 16 January 1996 amending Directive 90/388/EEC with regard to mobile and 
personal communications, 96/2/EC, OJ L 20/59, 26.01.96. 
J' Commission Directive of 13 March 1996 amending Commission Directive 90/388/EEC with regard to 
the implementation of full competition in telecommunications markets, 96/19/EC, OJ L 74/13, 22.03.96. 
13 
other systems. Priority to European Standards must be given only where provided for in 
Community legislation. 
The aim of the competition rules as regards frequency allocation is to1 ensure that choices in 
this area do not privilege technical solutions at the expense of competing technologies, which 
could better match the needs of the users in the Community where such an allocation would 
limit production, output or teclinical development in the sense of Article 86(c). 
Community policy with respect to trade 
The GATS WTO GBT agreement will open up national markets to foreign competition, allow 
foreign participation in national telecommunications companies, and provides for an 
international framework of regulations. 
It should be noted that the GATS obligations apply to the processes of domestic frequency 
management and licensing As stipulated in the GATS context32, the sovereign right of every 
WTO Member to manage frequencies should be administered in an objective, transparent, not 
discriminatory and not more burdensome than necessary manner.33 Furthermore, most 
countries have committed themselves explicitly to manage frequencies in an objective, timely, 
transparent, and not-discriminatory manner and to make publicly available the current state of 
allocated frequency bands.34 Therefore, any national spectrum management measure which 
has the purpose or effect of blocking, or unreasonably limiting, market access for operators 
from other WTO Member countries in a discriminatory manner would violate the GATS, 
since the GATS outlaws discriminatory, anti-competitive or arbitrary frequency management 
decisions.35 Nevertheless the GATS recognises that frequency management policies, if 
implemented in accordance with these provisions, do not per se constitute a disguised barrier 
to trade. 
As a result, frequency allocations to radiocommunications services within the ITU and WRC 
context should be distinguished from market access commitments under the GATS. However, 
the GATS obligations do apply to regional and national frequency management procedures, -
i.e. to the process by which countries license and assign spectrum to radiocommunications 
operators —, as well as to the technical stage of getting a satellite or satellite system fully 
coordinated at the international level. WRC decisions may further downstream impact on 
market access commitments made under the GATS. In this context, it is important to avoid 
that certain countries use the ITU or a WRC to reformulate or re-interpret their GATS market 
access commitments. At the same time, WRC decisions should take into account the impact 
such decisions eventually may have on market access commitments under the GATS. 
J2 See: Chairman's Note on market access limitations on spectrum availability. 
JJ See Article VI (Domestic Regulation) of the GATS. 
34 See Reference Paper on regulatory principles as attached for instance to the EC schedule of 
commitments on basic telecommunications services. 
35 See: Reference Paper on regulatory principles; most countries have included these principles in their 
offer as a binding commitment, and Article VI (Domestic Regulation) of the GATS. 
14 
THE NEED FOR A CONCERTED APPROACH IN VIEW OF THE WRC-97 
4.1 Analysis of current approach and proposals for improvement 
The CPG coordination 
At the WRC-95, on the basis of a last-minute proposal which became to be known as the 
Teledesic issue, the conference was requested to allocate frequencies to the non-geostationary 
fixed-satellite service (NGSO FSS i.e. basically satellite broadband services) which was not 
on the agreed agenda and for which the CPG had not formulated a position. The CPG argued 
that time was needed to examine which impact allocations to NGSO FSS would have on 
existing and planned networks in Europe and that therefore WRC-95 should postpone the 
discussion until 1997. However, the CPG countries were outvoted by the majority of WRC 
delegations and had to co-operate in facilitating the introduction of NGSO FSS.36 
It should be noted, however, that the mechanism of the coordination of national positions in 
the CPG proved to be reasonably effective at the WRC-95: 40 member administrations of the 
CPG37, including all EU Member States, negotiated during the WRC conference on the basis 
of 87 specific ECPs covering all agenda items. Most of these ECPs were adopted by the 
conference, a fact that will further strengthen the development of Europe's 
radiocommunications sector. 
There are several advantages for the European Community to co-ordinate positions within the 
framework of the CPG: 
• the fact that the CPG comprises 43 European countries has the potential that the use of 
frequencies is harmonised beyond the level of the Community; 
• the technical expertise as regards the use of frequencies in Europe lies primarily in the 
national administrations which are represented in the CPG and which has the political 
support of the Member States; 
• the coordinated point of view at WRCs of potentially 43 European countries adds value to 
the position of the Community or of individual CPG member countries alone (i.e. strength 
in numbers); 
36 Eventually, detailed negotiations with in particular the US and Japan led to a reduction of the requested 
amount of frequencies for NGSO FSS and to make these allocations provisional pending sharing studies. WRC-
97 would then have to decide on actual allocations in the light of these sharing studies. Furthermore, a number 
of CPG members took reservations on this issue which were included in the Final Acts of the conference. 
37 Only Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Russia did not sign the ECPs. 
15 
• the radiocommunications industry, which increasingly aims for the European rather than 
the Community market, is invited to be involved in the preparation of common positions 
by the CPG. 
However, it appears on the basis of experience that a number of improvements should be 
introduced in order to ensure appropriate representation of Europe's interests in 
radiocommunications vis-à-vis WRCs. 
Raising political awareness 
The fact that the agenda for WRCs appears to deal with technical issues alone hiay explain the 
rather low level of interest from the part of political instances of the CEPT members, which 
normally refer to their technical frequency departments to deal with these issues, both in 
preparing for and negotiating at WRCs. 
In the context of the WRC-95, the impression at the political level on in particular NGSO 
FSS/Teledesic issue was given that, on the one hand, the CPG delegations were obstructing 
frequency allocations to a new radiocommunications systems and that, on the other hand, the 
European interests were not adequately secured. 
As mentioned, the CPG had not developed a position on NGSO FSS since it was not included 
on the agenda. For this reason, it appears that the extent to which Europe's industry would be 
affected by allocations to NGSO FSS had not been discussed with the telecommunications 
ministries. Political awareness on the issue was only raised after the telecommunications 
ministries were contacted by NGSO FSS proponents who requested a more favourable 
attitude by the European delegations towards the proposal. 
This illustrates the need to ensure that decisions on frequency are not confined to a technical 
level, but that full information is provided at a political level about the European positions to 
be negotiated and the possible consequences of WRC decisions for telecommunications 
regulation and trade policy. A cohesive and pro-active approach towards WRCs should be put 
in place which not only appropriately secures Europe's own interests in radiocommunications 
but which is also capable of adequately responding to issues other negotiating parties attach 
importance to. In this context, it is equally important for strategic reasons to ensure a common 
Community position to proposals which are of less importance to the Community. This is 
essential to obtain the necessary political support on issues of priority to the Community and 
to facilitate trade-offs with third countries in areas of lesser importance to the Community. 
Involvement of industry 
The current arrangements for preparing for WRCs could be further strengthened by 
mobilising industry to express its current and planned priorities for radiocommunications and, 
consequently, to cooperate in the formulation of common positions with respect to expected 
frequency requirements. This should result in articulated support by industry for any common 
positions worked out, both at and following WRCs. 
Industry is not in a position to endorse the ECPs which are developed, nor is its participation 
in national delegations to WRCs sufficient for on-the-spot consultations. In order to consult 
industry on the preparations for the WRC-97, the Commission Services has organised two 
16 
consultation meetings in the run-up to the WRC-97 from which the following conclusions can 
be drawn: 
• industry believes that the preparatory work carried out by the CPG is useful; 
• individual companies participate in the development of ECPs but only when the issue is of 
direct concern; 
• industry sees a need for further political support to the positions worked out by the CPG; 
• industry believes that the preparatory lobby of third countries by the United States has been 
an important factor in their success at WRCs; European action in this respect needs 
improvement; 
• industry sees advantages in participating at WRCs but does not have the resources; 
• no industry platform exists which could rapidly assess the positions worked out by the 
CPG or the development of negotiations at WRCs. 
Relations with third countries 
Within the CPG, it was agreed that Europe should take the initiative at the WRC-97 rather 
than being forced on the defensive by having to react to other countries' proposals. Therefore, 
initiatives should be developed to identify their positions on the various agenda items and to 
ensure that full awareness exists as to the issues at stake. The promotion of innovative 
technologies, in particular by the European radiocommunications industry, should avoid that 
WRC decisions lead to the introduction of distortions towards technologies in the market. 
Regarding developing countries, the exchanges in this field would be considered in the 
general framework of existing cooperation activities. 
For this purpose, a number of informal contact groups have been established to ensure a 
dialogue between negotiating parties on their preparations for the WRC-97. The participants 
will exchange information on the development of their proposals, provide each other with 
comments and take account of such comments in the further development of their proposals. 
With this process it is hoped that a certain level of approximation of the proposals can be 
achieved already before the conference, and that the number of contentious issues to be 
resolved at the conference can be minimised. 
It should be mentioned that contacts with third countries require levels of resources which can 
constitute a considerable burden for administrations and industry alike. 
Involvement of the Community 
Despite the relevance of WRCs for Community policy, and due to a lack of legal instruments 
and political support, the involvement of the Community in advance of and at WRCs has been 
rather limited. Nevertheless, the Community could and should play a role of importance, in 
particular: 
• to support the CPG in the working out of common positions and to assess these in the 
context of Community policies; 
• to be instrumental in mobilising industry for the WRC process; 
17 
to raise political awareness and support regarding the issues at stake and the objectives to 
be reached; 
to ensure Community coordination with respect to the common positions to be worked out 
prior to and at the WRCs; 
to assist and participate in contacts with third countries. 
Proposals for improvement 
Against the background sketched above, a number of recommendations can be made: 
• It would be appropriate to enhance political awareness and raise the necessary backing for 
the positions worked out on the basis of the agreed agenda items. 
• Industry should be more vocal in its support for the positions worked out by the CPG and 
should participate at WRCs where there is a need for on-the-spot consultation. 
• Preparatory activities of third countries with respect to WRCs should be closely monitored, 
for example in order to minimise the risk of surprise at the conference itself (i.e. in case of 
last-minute proposals or the emergence of non-agreed agenda items). 
• Finally, the Community should be more closely involved in the WRC process, in particular 
as concerns the support for CPG work, to liaise with industry, to raise political awareness, 
and to assist in establishing and maintaining contacts with third countries. Also, 
Community coordination will be essential in order to formulate a Community position in 
areas where the views of EU Member States may initially diverge (e.g. last-minute 
proposals by third countries), are not in agreement with other CPG countries, or are not 
fully aware of the potential impact on Community policies. 
4.2 The WRC-97 agenda 
Agenda overview 
During the four week period of the WRC-97, the negotiating countries will have to deal with 
an extensive agenda comprising of a large number of technically detailed issues, such as: 
• simplification of the Radio Regulations; 
• High Frequency broadcasting service; 
• maritime mobile and maritime mobile-satellite service; 
• global maritime distress and safety system; 
• aeronautical mobile service; 
• mobile satellite and fixed satellite services; 
• Earth exploration-satellite service; 
18 
• space research service; 
• fixed service for high-density applications. 
An overview of main issues at the agenda38 of the WRC-97 is provided in Annex I. 
For the most part, these issues do not concern new telecommunications services, but rather 
services whose frequency requirements of which may have altered over time or as to which 
the sharing criteria with other services need to be refined. 
The CPG has developed 160 ECPs on virtually all the agenda items at WRC-97 and it is 
expected that, as was the case in 1995, the majority of member countries of the CPG will co-
sign these ECPs. At the industry consultation meetings, industry involvement in the 
formulation of some of those positions was noted. . It should therefore be assumed that, under 
the current arrangements, both the CPG member administrations as well as industry will 
support the common positions developed. 
These common positions are developed on the basis of the agreed agenda and do not cover 
any issues which other negotiating parties may put forward at the conference itself. At this 
point in time, however, no information is available which indicates that other major issues 
will be raised at the last minute; nevertheless continuous monitoring of third country 
preparations is required. 
Recurring issues in relation to the WRC-97 agenda 
The WRC-97 will discuss two issues which have caused considerable debate at the previous 
conferences. 
Plans exist for the provision of NGSO FSS, such as proposed by the US-based Teledesic 
consortium. These networks are presented as the satellite equivalent to fibre-optic cable for 
rural and remote areas which do not have access to terrestrial broadband facilities. Europe, 
however, has several thousands terrestrial wireless fixed links operate in the frequency bands 
(19/29 GHz) identified for NGSO FSS. It is unclear whether sharing of the bands is feasible. 
Furthermore, the possibility of sharing between NGSO FSS and geostationary orbit fixed 
satellite services (GSO FSS), in which Europe has considerable current and planned interests, 
is also unclear. On the basis of sharing studies which have been carried out at the national 
level and in the ITU study groups, WRC-97 has now to decide on actual frequency 
allocations. 
Another teclinical innovation in the area of radio communications concerns the provision of 
voice telephony services via so-called Big LEO systems for hand-held, mobile, ubiquitous 
telephone services. The mobile satellite service (MSS in ITU terminology) is better known in 
Europe as Satellite Personal Communications Service (S-PCS). WRC-92 already made 
spectrum available for MSS between 1-3 GHz, but additional world-wide frequency 
allocations are likely to be requested to WRC-97 by geographically large-scale countries 
outside Europe. Considering that several global proposals are currently set-up (not to count 
38 A prioritisation of the issues at stake at the WRC-97 cannot be derived on the basis of the agenda alone 
since it merely lists the detailed technical issues to be dealt with. . 
19 
numerous others which have at least been notified to the ITU in view of requesting spectrum) 
and when projecting demands of various S-PCS MSS operators with concrete intentions to 
provide service in Europe, there may be insufficient spectrum available. Spectrum 
requirements for MSS may clash with those of second generation (e.g. DCS-1800, DECT) or 
third generation (e.g. UMTS) terrestrial mobile services which are expected to provide a more 
ubiquitous and complete service in most parts of Europe for mobile communications than 
MSS satellite systems are probably capable of providing. For this reason, deployment of 
UMTS may also well serve the radiocommunications needs of third countries, as was the case 
with GSM, and may offer opportunities to further enhance Europe's export position in mobile 
technologies. 
In both cases, the challenge to the international radiocommunications sector would be to 
secure its current and planned interests regarding, e.g., terrestrial fixed links, GSO networks, 
and UMTS while at the same time facilitating the introduction and operation of S-PCS and 
NGSO FSS. 
4.3 Issues for forthcoming WRCs 
The general scope of the agenda of a WRC should be established four years in advance and 
the final agenda preferably two years before the conference. The final agenda is normally 
established on the basis of a Resolution by the previous WRC and needs to be confirmed by 
the Administrative Council of the ITU. 
The agenda of forthcoming WRCs may include frequency requirements for systems which are 
not yet in operation or constructed. For example, WRC-92 and WRC-95 (provisionally) 
allocated frequency bands to S-PCS and NGSO FSS even though such systems only existed 
on paper at that time. However, considering that radiocommunications systems are designed 
and developed to operate at certain frequencies, the availability of frequencies needs to be 
secured at an early stage. It is therefore important that WRCs take decisions on frequencies in 
order to allow industry to make investment decisions for the development and operation of 
new systems. 
As regards the agenda for the WRC-99, the CPG will propose to WRC-97 to include the 
following issues: 
• examination of the adequacy of frequency allocations for High Frequency (HF) 
Broadcasting from about 4 to 10 MHz; 
additional frequency allocations for Satellite Radionavigation39; 
additional frequency allocations to UMTS; 
-^ New allocations in the range 1-10 GHz are required to support future second generation global 
navigation satellite systems (GNSS). Work is currently in progress to develop a European Navigation Satellite 
System (ENSS) which is supported by various entities including the European Space Agency, 
EUROCONTROL, and the European Commission. 
20 
• HIPERLANs (wireless Local Area Networks supporting advanced features, such as mobile 
computer and multi media applications). 
Ensuring spectrum for systems under development 
Even though the availability of spectrum in Europe for the deployment of terrestrial 
radiocommunications networks has been sufficient, a proactive approach towards WRCs is 
required in order to ensure that the transition to UMTS is not hindered by a lack of available 
frequency. Such an approach should seek additional frequency allocations to (terrestrial) 
UMTS while facilitating the operation of S-PCS networks, which compete for the use of the 
same frequency bands. 
Even though the WRC-92 identified frequency bands for UMTS, it is likely that these bands 
are insufficient to accommodate the requirements in Europe in the longer term. For this 
reason, the CPG will submit a proposal to the WRC-97 with the aim to have frequency 
requirements for UMTS included on the agenda of the WRC-99. Taking into account that 
WRCs normally adhere to the agreed agenda, the adoption by the WRC-97 of the CPG 
proposal on UMTS is essential to provide industry with the prospect of sufficient frequency 
availability for UMTS in the medium term on the basis of which UMTS applications and 
equipment can be further developed. A failure to do so would practically mean that the 
proposal would have to be resubmitted at the WRC-99 for consideration by the WRC-2001 
which would cause significant delays in the development of this strategic element of the 
"wireless information society'. 
5. CONCLUSIONS 
Objectives: 
Taking into account that the decisions on frequencies taken at WRCs go beyond mere 
technical considerations and in fact have a major impact on the telecommunications 
regulatory framework and competitive position of the radiocommunications sector in the 
Community and in the CEPT countries, concerted action is called for in order to ensure: 
• that common Community and, more widely, common European positions at the WRCs are 
adopted, in order to safeguard the Community's interests in the international arena with 
respect to frequency allocations 
• that WRC negotiations on frequency allocations are set against other telecommunications 
regulatory and policy objectives while taking due account of commitments under the 
international trade regime; 
• that the results of the WRC-97 which impact on Community interests are fully compatible 
with the acquis communautaire; 
• that at the time of identification of Community interests of particular importance at the 
WRC-97, technical, economic and political considerations can be brought to bear on the 
negotiations, where appropriate; 
21 
Conditions to be met: 
In order to reach these objectives, the following conditions must be met: 
• that early agreement on frequency requirements at the European level is established 
regarding existing and planned radiocommunications systems in order to formulate 
corresponding positions vis-à-vis WRCs; 
• that a concerted and coordinated approach towards the WRC-97 and forthcoming 
conferences is worked out, building on existing working arrangements, which comprises 
the technical expertise of the CPG in frequency matters, and appropriate input and 
participation from the part of industry as concerns Europe's industrial interests in 
radiocommunications, and from the Community in terms of telecommunications regulation 
and other relevant policies; 
• that such a concerted approach is supported by the Member States at the highest political 
level, both in the process of establishing ECPs and during the WRC-97 negotiations. 
Appropriate measures: 
Appropriate procedures must be put in place in order to ensure efficient representation of 
Community interests; this involves in particular: 
• that the Commission or Member States should call for the establishment of a common 
Community position: 
a) in case Member States disagree amongst themselves on proposals submitted to 
the conference which affect the Community as a whole; 
b) when Member States disagree with other CEPT countries on such proposals; 
c) when CEPT proposals do not comply with Community interests; or 
d) when a common Community position can contribute to strengthen the CEPT 
proposals in discussions with third countries. 
• that an appropriate mechanism is established with the European industry to ensure that the 
adoption of European Common Proposals (ECPs) by the CEPT do reflect Europe's 
industrial needs in the radiocommunications sector; and that such a mechanism can be 
rapidly utilised during the WRC to obtain industry reaction, where appropriate. 
22 
ANNEX I 
MAIN ISSUES ON THE WRC-97 AGENDA40 
Agenda Issue Background 
item 
1.1 Deletion country footnotes Administrations may add country footnotes to allocations, specifying 
national situations. The aim is to reduce the number of national 
divergencies. 
1.2 Simplification of the Radio The RR are technically very complex and require detailed 
Regulations (RR). coordination procedures. The aim is to simplify this. 
1.3 Earth station frequency coordination Due to technical and commercial developments, the coordination of 
relating to the Fixed Service (FS) and frequencies for small fixed and hand-held Earth stations needs to be 
Fixed Satellite Service (FSS). improved. 
1.4 Planning procedures for High Consideration of a flexible, simplified planning procedure, 
Frequency Broadcasting developed in the ITU Radiocommunication Sector. 
Communications (HFBC). 
1.6 Global Maritime Distress and Safety To allow administrations to release stations in the international 
Communications (GMDSS). maritime service from the listening watch at certain frequencies after 
1 February 1999. To ensure the overall safety of life at sea. 
1.6 Frequencies for stations in the New (digital) technologies will be implemented in the VHF-band 
Maritime Mobile Service: to offer with additional frequency requirements. 
administrations more flexibility to 
relieve present congestion in the 
maritime band. 
1.6 Order of priority of communications Level of priority should be redefined. 
of the maritime mobile service and 
the maritime mobile satellite service 
(in the same frequency bands). 
1.6 Use of new digital technology in the Identification of suitable characteristics of digital systems to replace 
maritime radiotelephony channels. existing analogue technology. 
1.8 Use of the band 136-137 MHz by To ensure that no harmful interference will be caused to the 
services other than the Aeronautical aeronautical service (used for safety, regulation of flights). 
Mobile Service. 
1.9 MSS below 1 GHz. Concerns frequency requirements for "Little LEOs" (providing 
world-wide data communications services) and the feasibility of 
sharing with other services. 
1.9 MSS between 1-3 GHz. Feasibility of sharing between MSS ("Big LEOs", providing world­
wide voice communications services) and other services (e.g. Met-
Sat, FS, radio astronomy, Earth exploration satellite service). 
1.9 20/30 GHz bands - NGSO FSS Frequency requirements and sharing scenarios of digital broadband 
radiocommunications services. 
1.9 NGSO MSS feeder links Allocation of frequencies to the fixed-satellite service for feeder 
links of non-geostationary satellite networks in the MSS 
agenda items 2-8 mainly concern standard agenda items of a mainly administrative nature 
8.2 Agenda for WRC-99 and WRC-2001 Deciding on the preliminary agenda of the forthcoming two WRCs. 
40 Note that the list of issues is not exhaustive. For the complete agenda, see: Resolution GT PLEN-3: 
Agenda for the 1997 World Radiocommunication Conference. 
23 
ANNEX II 
GLOSSARY 
CEPT 
CPG 
DCS-1800 
DECT 
ECP 
ERC 
ERMES 
ETSI 
EU 
FPLMTS 
GATS 
GMPCS 
GSM 
GSO FSS 
ITU 
MSS 
NGSO FSS 
NRA 
S-PCS 
WRC 
WTO 
UMTS European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications 
Administrations 
Conference Preparatory Group (of the CEPT) 
Digital Communications Services in the 1800 MHz range 
Digital European Cordless Telecommunications 
European Common Proposal (prepared by CPG) 
European Radiocommunications Committee (of the CEPT) 
European Radio Messaging System 
European Telecommunications Standards Institute 
European Union 
Future Public Land Mobile Telecommunications Systems 
General Agreement on Trade in Services 
Global Mobile Personal Communications Services 
Global System for Mobile Communications 
Geostationary Orbit Fixed Satellite Service 
International Telecommunication Union 
Mobile Satellite Service 
Non-Geostationary Orbit Fixed Satellite Service 
National Regulatory Authority 
Satellite Personal Communications Services 
World Radiocommunications Conference 
World Trade Organisation 
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System 
24 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(97) 304 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 15 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-97-312-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-21685-2 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg 
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