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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 5 030-5 091 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.

5. 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 5 030-5 091 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 5 091-5 150 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 1.3...a great result for Australia.

6. 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 5 091-5 150 MHz band to support terrestrial UAS.  Europe’s proposal for the 15.4-15.7 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.

7. 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 5 091-5 150 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 (5 030-5 091 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.