WRC–12 Industry Debrief 23 April 2012 Agenda item 1.3 – Unmanned aircraft systems Presenter: Bill McDonald

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Agenda item 1.3: UAS  The agenda item from WRC-07 read: to consider spectrum requirements and possible regulatory actions, including allocations, in order to support the safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), based on the results of ITU ‑ R studies, in accordance with Resolution 421 (WRC ‑ 07)  This was a highly complex item requiring an optimum spectrum solution if the anticipated large UAS industry was to be accommodated in the (non-segregated) airspace used by passenger planes without compromising safety.  Major compatibility studies, on a wide range of possible frequency bands, would be carried out by ITU-R WP 5B over a 4 year period.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Australia’s aims on AI 1.3  To participate strongly in the AI 1.3 work at all WP 5B and APG meetings.  To propose optimum spectrum arrangements for both terrestrial and satellite UAS.  To convince the APT to support the Australian proposals; and  To convince WRC-12 to support the APT (nee Australian) proposals on UAS.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Australian proposals on UAS  Australia’s fundamental position from early in the 4 year cycle was to support only the use of aeronautical safety allocations.  Following major UAS/MLS sharing studies by Thales, Alenia Space in France, Australia chose to support the existing MHz AMS(R)S allocation for satellite UAS (under Method A1) and later the same band for terrestrial UAS (under a new AM(R)S allocation).  We decided to oppose all other frequency bands and all other Methods proposed by other administrations and regional groups.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Australia’s work on AI 1.3 in the APT  Australia was appointed APG AI 1.3 coordinator and chaired all of the 1.3 meetings in the cycle.  At the APG meetings there were numerous proposals on frequency bands, methodologies, safety issues, sharing, regulatory aspects and the like and the debates were often very heated.  Of note, China chose not to support the MHz band for terrestrial UAS (but to support it for satellite UAS) due to their domestic (military) MLS operations in the band. They supported the MHz band for terrestrial. This led to major debates with Japan and Korea in particular.  By APG-5, the Australian proposals had won the day and become the APT input to WRC-12 on AI a great result for Australia.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Australia’s work on AI 1.3 at WRC-12  AI 1.3 was a major activity at WRC-12.  Australia led the debate for the APT.  We supported each of the APT positions strongly and opposed all other positions equally strongly.  By the end of the 3 rd week there was very good support for all of the APT proposals.  Even so, 3 lingering issues needed to be solved:  China’s proposal for the MHz band to support terrestrial UAS.  Europe’s proposal for the GHz band to support terrestrial UAS (linked with AI’s 1.4 and 1.21); and  A proposal from 4 CITEL administrations supporting use of the FSS bands for satellite UAS under Method A3.

WRC–12 Industry Debrief Australia’s work on AI 1.3 at WRC-12 (cont)  The APT opposed all 3 proposals and it was clear that each would fail. During the 4 th week:  China withdrew its MHz proposal.  Europe withdrew its 15 GHz proposal; and  The FSS proposal was abandoned (after a future WRC-15 agenda item on FSS UAS (now AI 1.5) had been supported, including by the APT).  WRC-12 decided to support just one band ( MHz) for both terrestrial and satellite UAS, i.e. the APT (nee Australian) proposal. All other proposed frequency bands were rejected.  This was an excellent outcome for the APT and for Australia.