Transcript Slide 1

WRC-12
Industry Debrief
23 April 2013
Agenda item 1.23 – Amateur service
secondary allocation
Presenter: Dale Hughes
Agenda item 1.23
> …to consider an allocation of about 15 kHz in
parts of the band 415-526.5 kHz to the amateur
service on a secondary basis, taking into account
the need to protect existing services…
> Why?
• Sufficiently different characteristics to
adjacent amateur service allocations at 137
kHz & 1.8 MHz to ‘fill a gap’.
WRC-12
Industry Debrief
23 April 2013
Australia's position going into WRC-12
> Allocation was supported:
• Existing users (NDB’s) must be protected
from harmful interference.
• Protection measures for existing users
were agreed.
• Due to incumbent users a subset of the
band was the most likely outcome so either
WRC ‘method’ was acceptable.
WRC-12
Industry Debrief
23 April 2013
Progress during WRC-12 #1
> At first, very slow progress at Sub Working
Group level.
> General agreement between the ‘affirmative’
side about frequency band limits, but…
> Strong opposition from a number of countries
to any allocation with delaying tactics
employed to prevent any progress.
WRC-12
Industry Debrief
23 April 2013
Progress during WRC-12 #2
> A ‘drafting’ group was formed to develop a
document that contained both positions.
> Again more argument and delaying tactics…
> Change of CEPT and APG positions meant
progress, but reduced bandwidth.
> Power limits and geographic spacing limits
suggested, resisted… accepted.
WRC-12
Industry Debrief
23 April 2013
Progress during WRC-12 #3
> No consensus at Sub Working Group level.
> Elevated to Com4 level and passed after
discussion.
> Attempt by one administration at plenary to
impose very restrictive protection measures
overcome.
> Affirmative position accepted and passed by
plenary session.
WRC-12
Industry Debrief
23 April 2013
Outcome
> WRC outcome is in line with the original
Australian position:
• A new secondary allocation for the
amateur service between 472 and 479 kHz
• 5 W e.i.r.p. limit and other protection
measures.
WRC-12
Industry Debrief
23 April 2013
Future impact:
> Will allow the amateur service to develop
skills and expertise at medium frequencies.
> Will enhance capability for disaster relief and
emergency communications.
> Provide opportunity for:
• research and development of new
communications modes to cope with weak signals
and high noise levels,
• research of propagation characteristics.
WRC-12
Industry Debrief
23 April 2013
Thanks go to:
> The ACMA for:
their leadership, organization and support activities
at WRC-12 and the ‘community’ participation
process in the WRC preparatory phase.
> The Wireless Institute of Australia for its
untiring support of the amateur radio service.
> The WRC delegates and ARSG members for
their support and enthusiasm.
> Acknowledging the late Mr. Keith Malcolm.
WRC-12
Industry Debrief
23 April 2013