WRC–12 Industry Debrief 23 April 2012 Agenda item 1.21 – Radiolocation service 15.4–15.7 GHz Presenter: Darrell Ninham

WRC–12 Industry Debrief WRC-12 AI 1.21 Seeks a primary allocation to the Radiolocation Service (RLS) in the band 15.4 – 15.7 GHz.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Objective: Extension of the existing RLS band between 15.7 – 17.3 GHz down to 15.4 GHz will allow airborne multifunction radar under development to achieve greater resolution of objects at ground level.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Issues during WRC-12 Cycle Counter claims for use of parts of the GHz band were made from various groups during the cycle, including;

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Counter Claims Under Agenda Item 1.25 seeking an allocation in part of the GHz band for use by the Mobile Satellite Service (MSS). Studies showed incompatibility with the RLS. All claims for allocations under AI1.25 were not successful. AI1.25 was wound up in the first days of WRC-12.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Counter Claims Under Agenda item seeking an allocation in the GHz band for command and control communication systems for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) within the Aeronautical Mobile Route Service (AM(R)S) Studies showed incompatibility with the RLS. Representatives from CEPT continued to press this claim until the final stages of WRC-12.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Counter Claims Prior to the final plenary it transpired that CEPT was concerned about a proposal by USA to use the MHz band within the Aeronautical Mobile Route Service (AM(R)S) under AI 1.4. A ‘Back-Room Deal’ between CEPT and USA was proposed to resolve the issue.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Counter Claims A compromise was reached where the USA claim for an allocation to AM(R)S in the lower 5 GHz band was withdrawn in return for which CEPT agreed to withdraw its claim for an allocation to AM(R)S in the 15 GHz band. This cleared the way for the full 300 MHz allocation to RLS between GHz.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Other concerned groups There had been ongoing concern by the Radio Astronomy Service (RAS) community about potential interference from radiolocation in the 15 GHz band to radio astronomy facilities. Studies have shown compatibility, however it was agreed at WRC-12 that concerns of the RAS community will be reviewed during the WRC-15 cycle.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Outcome After the alternative claims and other concerns were resolved and addressed there was an outcome from the meeting of clear support for an allocation to the radiolocation service in line with the Australian position. Australia was given the role of APT coordinator for this Agenda Item during WRC-12 and was able to exert significant influence on the outcome.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Outcome The eventual outcome at WRC-12 was for a world-wide allocation to the radiolocation service across the entire 300 MHz bandwidth sought between GHz, in line with the Australian and APT positions. RLS will now become co-primary with the existing allocation to aeronautical radionavigation in the band.