WRC-15 Winston Caldwell, P.E. VP, Spectrum Engineering Fox Networks Group February 12, 2014 WRC-15 World Radio Conference 2015 • World’s Administrations meet over several weeks in Geneva. • Agree by consensus to make changes to the Radio Regulations, which is a treaty determining how the radio spectrum can be used. – Frequency allocation table – Methods to deployment of new services. • Agenda Item 1.1 – Additional Primary allocations to the Mobile Service. – Identify additional frequency bands for IMT. Broadcast Bands Considered • C-Band – Downlink: 3.4-4.2 GHz FSS Primary allocation • North American deployment – 3.7-4.2 GHz – Space-to-Earth TV distribution. – Uplink: 4.5-4.8 GHz FSS Primary allocation • Earth-to-Space communications. • UHF – Broadcasting Primary allocation • North American deployment – 470-698 MHz – US Terrestrial TV broadcasting to the home (close to 60 MM people) and to a large percentage of head-ends. Government Activity • Wireless Industry proactively presenting a mobile broadband spectrum crunch for years. • National Broadband Plan “It’s now time to act and invest in our nation’s future by bringing the power and promise of broadband to us all.” – Targets 225-3700 MHz (300 MHz by 2015, 500 MHz by 2020) • PCAST Spectrum Report • Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act – FCC Deadlines and authority for TV spectrum auctions. – Direct the transition of spectrum from TV broadcasting to wireless broadband. Government Activity (II) C-Band • FCC 3.5 GHz Small Cell proceeding – SAS database will protect incumbents. – No clear statement that C-band users at 3.7 GHz are considered protected incumbents. – Light-licensed IEEE 802.11y operation at 3.65-3.7 GHz with no clear reports of interference. • Administrations support Mobile allocation based on where no FSS deployments in their borders – Japan (3.4-4.2), CEPT (3.4-3.8), Brazil (3.4-3.6) Government Activity (III) UHF • FCC UHF voluntary spectrum auction. • Primary Mobile allocation in UHF was already established by footnote at WRC-07 & WRC-12 for Administrations such as the US, Canada, and Mexico. WRC-15 Timeline/Structure (4) WRC-12 JTG 4-5-6-7 CPM • Agenda Items for WRC-15 • Agenda Items • AI 1.1 • AI 1.2 • Spectrum requirements • Sharing studies • IMT candidate bands • Input (CPM text) • Make preparations for WRC-15 Current ideal path of influence USJTG • Groups • State Dept. Sector Members • NTIA • Broadcast • Wireless • FCC • NABA • GSMA • Industry • CBS • Intel • US views/positions • Intelsat • Qualcomm • SES • Verizon WRC-15 CITEL • Region 2 Administrations • US • Canada • Mexico • Brazil • Inter-American views/positions C-Band • NABA involvement – Sending delegation to upcoming third ITU-R JTG 4-5-6-7. – Generated third rendition of the C-Band downlink FSS/IMT-A sharing study. – Presenting the newest protection distance data required to protect Earth station receivers from IMT-A small cell indoor BSs. – Developing ITU-R Report on FSS/IMT-A Compatibility. – Crafting CPM text stating that FSS/IMT-A sharing is not feasible. – Speaking against the inclusion of the 3.4-4.2 or 4.5-4.8 GHz FSS Primary allocations as suitable potential candidate bands for the CPM. • Current draft US view – ITU-R M.2109 is valid. – Supports additional studies. – Studies should assess compatibility with existing services. UHF • FCC WRC-15 Advisory Committee – Broadcasters have joined the WAC • NAB, Fox, CBS – Current draft non-consensus US proposal • Proposes to add Primary allocation to the Mobile service across UHF in Regions 1 & 2. • Proposes to identify the UHF band for IMT in Regions 1, 2 & 3. • Proposal package includes attachment from broadcaster members detailing the reasons for their objection. • FCC will choose elements of the package and work for consensus with NTIA and State Dept. to create US position. • USJTG will push US position in CITEL, JTG 4-5-6-7, and eventually WRC-15. • ITU-R JTG 4-5-6-7 – BS/IMT-A sharing studies have been contributed by CBS & Intel. – BS/IMT-A Compatibility Report and CPM text will be developed. • NABA involvement – Begun discussions with fellow Region 2 broadcasters to strategize for the upcoming CITEL meeting (3/17-3/21) to oppose US proposal. – Considering fielding a NABA delegation to CITEL.