1. RATIFICATION OF THE WORLD RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE 2015 (WRC-15) FINAL ACTS
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2. Purpose
To submit the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) Final Acts, in line with Section 231(2) of the Constitution to Parliament for ratification.
The changes to the Radio Regulations (RR) are technical in nature however they impact on the Republic of South Africa and therefore need to ensure that the National Radio Frequency Plan (NRFP) complies with Treaty Agreements. This is incorporated into South Africa’s domestic legislation in reference in section 34 of the Electronic Communications Act No. 36 of 2005.
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3. International Telecommunications Union (ITU) - WRC
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) - ITU is a United Nations (UN) Member-State body specialising in telecommunications and information technology.
The ITU convenes the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), which is decision-making body binding on Member-States (treaty conference), to review and revise the Radio Regulations in order to reflect the latest technological developments, respond to changing market demand and service specific spectrum requirements. The WRC meets every 4 years as per the decision of the 2014 Plenipotentiary, Busan
ITU held the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) from 02 to 27 November 2016 in Geneva, Switzerland
The Minister, in the exercise of his functions, as mandated by the Section 34 (2) of the Electronic Communication Act (Act 36 of 2005) represented the Republic at the ITU, in respect of — (a) the international allocation of radio frequency spectrum;
At the end of the WRC-15, the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Dr Siyabonga Cwele signed the Final Acts of WRC-15 on the 27 November 2016
The ITU will then incorporate such decisions into the main treaty (the International Radio Regulations) for ratification by Member States
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4. Introduction and context – WRC-15 Final Acts
The International Table of Frequency Allocations is amended whenever necessary to accord with any changes to the RR made by World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs) of the ITU. Consequently, it is important for South Africa to bring the changes of this International Agreement to a domestic level in accordance with section 231(2) of the Constitution.
The RR provide an agreed framework of rights, obligations and procedures applicable between countries in their many uses of the radio-frequency spectrum. However, in exercise of its sovereign rights, the Republic of South Africa reserves the right to structure its National Radio-Frequency Plan (“NRFP” or “the Table of Frequency Allocations”) to suit national requirements.
The NRFP is intended to respond to South Africa’s domestic radio spectrum requirements, and consequently reflects national spectrum allocation and utilization policies developed through public consultation.
At the ITU’s WRC-15, a number of amendments to the RR were adopted to make provision for new services and new technologies in various frequency bands. The treaty also includes some non-treaty-level resolutions and recommendations, and a framework for the studies required for the agenda items of the next conference in late 2019.
We support the intent of the treaty and recommend that the Government ratify these amendments.
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5. Strategic focus
The provision of additional allocations of frequency bands to existing and new radiocommunication services, improved procedures for frequency coordination of radio services, and a more appropriate operational parameters for spectrum licensing.
These are expected to intensify the development of broadband services, facilitate new mobile-satellite services, and provide a more flexible regulatory framework for use of the radio-frequency spectrum. As such South Africa can expect to see new technologies developed in overseas markets that can quickly be deployed within South Africa.
If the Amendments are not ratified, South Africa may be disadvantaged in the long-run due to other countries not recognising South Africa when co-ordinating satellites and frequency usage. This could potentially lead to interference to South Africa’s existing satellite and terrestrial based services.
The Security Services (as defined in Ch.11 of the Constitution), CAA, ATNS, SAWS, SAMSA, public agencies and other private radio sector industry representatives have been heavily involved in South Africa’s preparation for the resolution of WRC-15 agenda items. An Interdepartmental Committee has been established to work on WRC national issues. As the Final Acts of WRC-15 are consistent with South Africa’s interests, no concerns were expressed.
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6. Ratification of Final Acts
National implications from WRC-15
The international Radio Regulations will have an impact on the national spectrum management arrangements, in particular the update to the National Radio-Frequency Plan (“NRFP”). The NRFP is a comprehensive source of information, provides key data on current and potential radio spectrum allocations in South Africa and aims to inform a diverse range of stakeholders, including current and potential users of the radio spectrum;
WRC–15 outcomes also provide ‘market’ signals, in terms of the evolving use of the spectrum in various bands and hence will also influence interest in various bands for different applications;
The outlined outcomes will be taken by DTPS and ICASA as part of ongoing ‘environmental’ awareness of spectrum management trends;
Process of Ratification of WRC-15 Final Acts
State Law advisor consulted
Liaison with DIRCO and relevant clusters;
Consultation with the Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services
Consultation and consideration for approval by Cabinet;
WRC-15 Final Acts - Radio Regulations would come to force effective 01 January 2017
Key Outcomes of the WRC-15
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7. WRC–15 Outcome Mobile broadband communications
WRC-15 took a decision that will provide enhanced coverage for mobile broadband in the MHz frequency band in ITU Region 1 (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) and a globally harmonized solution for the implementation of the digital dividend, while providing full protection to television broadcasting and aeronautical radionavigation services in this frequency band.
WRC-15 agreed on additional allocations to the mobile broadband service and identification for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) of frequency bands in the L-band ( MHz) and C-band ( MHz), paving the way for the availability of near globally harmonized spectrum for mobile broadband services in these bands.
WRC-15 also achieved agreement on some additional bands or portions thereof that were also allocated to the mobile service and identified for IMT in some countries ( MHz, GHz, GHz and GHz).
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8. WRC–15 Outcome Mobile broadband communications
Africa is the Region that gained the most spectrum for broadband from the WRC-15 IMT allocations
Region
Current Spectrum
New Spectrum
Total after WRC-15
% Increase
Europe
1085 MHz
187 MHz
1272 MHz
17.2%
Arab states
885 MHz
387 MHz
43.7%
Africa
487 MHz
1372 MHz
55%
Americas
951 MHz
375 MHz (641 MHz*)
1326 MHz (1592 MHz*)
39.4% (67.4%*)
Asia Pacific
1177 MHz
91 MHz (191 MHz*)
1268 MHz(1368 MHz*)
7.7% (16.2%*)
These allocations will facilitate the achievement of the SA Connect targets, and enable international LTE roaming.
* high-range scenario includes GHz in APAC and 100 MHz from GHz & GHz in Americas
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9. WRC–15 Outcome Broadcasting service
South Africa opposed an allocation of the frequency band MHz to mobile broadband communications.
WRC–15 outcome: No change to the Radio Regulations for the frequency band MHz at WRC-15, i.e., this frequency band will continue to be used on an exclusive basis for digital TV.
WRC-23 agenda item has been created addressing a review of the spectrum use of the frequency band MHz.
Given the significance of the broadcasting service in the frequency band MHz and the investments that have been made, South Africa does not support consideration of an alternative use.
WRC-15 outcome provides certainty to broadcasting service by protecting Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) spectrum.
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10. WRC–15 Outcome Emergency communications and disaster relief
WRC-15 identified spectrum in the MHz frequency band to facilitate mobile broadband communications for robust and reliable mission critical emergency services in public protection and disaster relief (PPDR), such as police, fire, ambulances and disaster response teams.
Facilitates introduction of mission-critical data applications for emergency services.
Search and rescue
WRC-15 reinforced protection to Search and Rescue beacons that transmit in the MHz frequency band signals in the uplink to search and rescue satellites, such as the Cospas-Sarsat system.
Amateur radio service
A new secondary allocation for amateur radio service in the frequency band kHz was agreed.
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11. WRC–15 Outcome
Earth observation satellites for environmental monitoring
WRC-15 agreed to new allocations in the 7-8 GHz frequency range needed to uplink large amounts of data for operation plans and dynamic spacecraft software modifications that will eventually lead to simplified on-board architecture and operational concepts for future missions of earth-exploration satellite services (EESS).
Additionally, allocations of spectrum in the 9-10 GHz frequency range will permit the development of modern broadband sensing technologies and space-borne radars on active sensing EESS.
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12. WRC–15 Outcome Unmanned aircraft and wireless avionics systems
WRC-15 opened the way for the development by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of worldwide standards for unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS” or “drones”), and identified the regulatory conditions that may be applied to such systems internationally once these standards are adopted.
WRC-15 also agreed on spectrum in the band 4200 – 4400 MHz for wireless avionics intra-communications (WAIC) to allow for the heavy and expensive wiring used in aircraft to be replaced by wireless systems.
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13. WRC–15 Outcome Global flight tracking for civil aviation
Agreement was reached on the allocation of radio-frequency spectrum for global flight tracking in civil aviation for improved safety.
The frequency band MHz has been allocated to the aeronautical mobile-satellite service (Earth-to-space) for reception by space stations of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) emissions from aircraft transmitters. This will facilitate reporting the position of aircraft equipped with ADS-B anywhere in the world, including oceanic, polar and other remote areas.
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14. WRC–15 Outcome Enhanced maritime communications systems
WRC-15 considered regulatory provisions and frequency allocations to enable new Automatic Identification System (AIS) applications and other possible new applications to improve maritime radiocommunication.
New applications for data exchange, using AIS technology, are intended to improve the safety of navigation. New allocations were made in the bands MHz and MHz to the maritime mobile-satellite service uplink for such applications.
Road Safety
Radio-frequency spectrum needed for the operation of short-range high-resolution automotive radar has been allocated in the 79 GHz frequency band.
This will provide a globally harmonized regulatory framework for automotive radar to prevent collisions and thus improve vehicular safety.
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15. WRC–15 Outcome Universal Time
WRC-15 decided that further studies regarding current and potential future reference time-scales are required, including the modification of coordinated universal time (UTC) and suppressing the so-called “leap second”.
A report will be considered by WRC-23. Until then, UTC will continue to be applied as per Recommendation ITU R TF and maintained by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures.
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16. WRC–15 Outcome Fixed-satellite service
WRC-15 made a new allocation for the fixed-satellite service (FSS) in the frequency bands GHz (Region 1), GHz (Regions 1 and 2) and GHz (Region 3) to meet the growing demand for spectrum for various applications.
The use of the band MHz by systems of the FSS providing feeder links of non-GSO systems in the mobile-satellite service was maintained as a primary allocation without time limit.
Operation of broadband satellite systems: Earth Stations in Motion
WRC-15 agreed to facilitate the global deployment of Earth Stations In Motion (ESIM) in the and GHz frequency bands in the fixed-satellite service (FSS), paving the way for satellite systems to provide global broadband connectivity for the transportation community.
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17. WRC–15 Outcome Maritime-mobile satellite service
WRC-15 made a new allocation to the maritime-mobile satellite service (MMSS) in the frequency band MHz to provide additional bandwidth for data transmission by the next-generation satellites in the MMSS.
Satellite filing, coordination and notification procedures
Regulatory procedures for an advance publication, coordination and notification have been improved by the various decisions taken by WRC-15 including suppression of the requirement for submission of Advance Publication Information (API) for satellite networks subject to coordination.
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18. SIYABONGA, KE A LEBOGA, DANKIE
Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development