WRC-07 Wraps Up in Geneva; Will Likely Meet Again in 2011

The final working session of the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07) in Geneva drew to a close Thursday afternoon, November 15. The signing ceremony for the Final Acts took place on Friday. According to International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ, the principal achievements and disappointments, as they relate to the Amateur Services, of the conference are:

Achievements

• Maintenance all existing amateur allocations, including the 7.200-7.300 MHz allocation in ITU Region 2 (the Americas) that had been somewhat at risk in connection with consideration of additional allocations for HF broadcasting (see below).

• A new worldwide secondary allocation at 135.7-137.8 kHz with a maximum radiated power limit of 1 W e.i.r.p. (given the low efficiency of practical antennas for this frequency range, this limit is not as severe as it may sound).

• Inclusion of an item, "to consider an allocation of about 15 kHz in parts of the band 415-526.5 kHz to the Amateur Service on a secondary basis, taking into account the need to protect existing services" on the provisional agenda for WRC-11 (set for 2011).

• Avoidance of future agenda items that pose serious threats to key amateur allocations.

• Some improvement in the so-called "country footnotes" that provide for different allocations by country in all or part of the 1.8, 3.5, 50 and 430 MHz amateur bands.

Disappointments

• No new allocation for the Amateur Service in the vicinity of 5 MHz, and no agenda item to consider such an allocation at a future conference.

• No future agenda item to consider an amateur allocation at 50 MHz in ITU Region 1 (Europe, the former Soviet Union, Mongolia, Africa and parts of the Middle East).

"No Change" for Amateur Allocations, HF Broadcasting

The amateur issues were of course a minor part of the WRC-07 agenda, but the Amateur Service was involved in one of the most contentious agenda items dealing with allocations between 4 and 10 MHz. A series of European Common Proposals had proposed changes to allow for an increase of 350 kHz in HF broadcasting allocations, with a footnote for administrations to allow the Amateur Service to use 5.260-5.410 MHz on a secondary basis and with a radiated power limit of 250 W; however, HF broadcasting had no support from the other regional organizations and no compromise acceptable to all parties could be found. Ultimately the European administrations had to accept "no change" for broadcasting, effectively scuttling our chances for a 5 MHz allocation.

Next WRC Tentatively Set for 2011

The IARU had hoped that if an allocation could not be achieved at WRC-07, an appropriate agenda item could be included for WRC-11. The 2007 conference, however, had little interest in taking up HF issues at the next conference, tentatively set for 2011, having little to show for a great deal of effort expended on HF in preparing for WRC-07. The only HF issues on the provisional WRC-11 agenda have to do with oceanographic radar applications and the implementation of new digital technologies for the maritime mobile service.

The International Telecommunication Union's planning for the next World Radiocommunication Conference begins on Monday in Geneva, with the convening of a two-day Conference Preparatory Meeting for WRC-11. Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, will attend on behalf of the IARU.

WRC-07 Week 3: HF Broadcasting Empty-Handed

As the International Telecommunication Union's 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07) in Geneva headed toward its fourth and final week, the proponents of additional allocations to HF Broadcasting conceded defeat and accepted that there will be no additional allocations made to HFBC at this conference.

HFBC has been a contentious issue at ITU conferences for decades. At WRC-07, additional HFBC allocations between 4 and 10 MHz were supported by 25 European administrations and a few outside Europe but were strongly opposed by every other regional organization. Opposition to additional HFBC allocations was based mainly on a desire to protect military and other government fixed and mobile communications, although some of the administrations that were the most outspoken opponents of HFBC expansion authorize HFBC stations under their jurisdiction to operate out-of-band in the fixed and mobile allocations. Some HFBC proponents predict that the unsatisfactory outcome of the conference on this issue will lead to even more out-of-band broadcasting.

The fate of a possible amateur secondary allocation near 5 MHz remains undecided, although prospects have faded as a result of the failure to find a compromise on the main 4-10 MHz issue. Several other issues related to this frequency range remain quite contentious as the conference enters its final weekend and time begins to run out for detailed work by conferees who are strained by long hours of negotiation, document drafting and debate.

On a more positive note for radio amateurs, a secondary allocation of 135.7-137.8 kHz to the amateur service was approved on first reading in Plenary on Friday afternoon, November 9. This marks the first time since allocations to radio services began that the amateur service has had an allocation below the medium wave broadcasting band. The effective date is not yet set but is likely to be the date of entry into force of the Final Acts of the Conference. Of course, amateurs must wait until their own administrations authorize the new allocation before they can use it. Some administrations, while not wishing to block the international allocation, have indicated a reluctance to implement it in their countries because of various interference concerns.

Work continues on the agenda for future WRCs, tentatively scheduled for 2011 and 2015. There are many more proposals for agenda items for the next conference than can be accommodated, so only those with broad support are likely to be included. Committee work on the future agendas is scheduled for completion early next week.

Members of the core team of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) continue to attend the relevant meetings and work the halls on behalf of the amateur and amateur-satellite services. Support from numerous members of national delegations remains a vital component of this effort.

On Tuesday evening, November 6 the International Amateur Radio Club, 4U1ITU, held a dinner with a new amateur licensee, ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré, HB9EHT as the guest of honor. There were 43 members and guests present, including WRC-07 delegates from more than a dozen countries -- several heads and deputy heads of delegation among them. The club station is active on the air under the special call sign 4U1WRC. - David Sumner, K1ZZ, IARU Secretary

WRC-07 So Far - updated 02 November 2007

The end of the second week of the four-week 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference is drawing near, but - at least as far as the amateur services are concerned - the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) WRC-07 team reports there is not much in the way of firm conclusions.

Here is a report prepared by IARU Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ:

An unexpected highlight of the opening plenary was the announcement by Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré, at the end of his prepared remarks, that he had earned his amateur license.

We seldom, if ever, have received such prominence during the opening ceremonies of a conference.

Dr. Touré's call sign is HB9EHT. He left for the Connect Africa Summit in Kigali immediately after the conference opening but is expected to be back in Geneva next week.

The amateur services have been quite visible at the conference in other ways: The special WRC-07 issue of ITU News includes an article under Larry Price's byline setting out amateur radio's aspirations for the conference.

An amateur radio emergency communications trailer brought from Germany was on display during the first ten days of the conference, parked strategically on the walkway between the conference center and the adjacent ITU building.

A full-color explanation of amateur radio's emergency communications capabilities and an invitation to visit the trailer was distributed in the delegates' pigeonholes by the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, as well as some additional information about the amateur services, resulting in a steady stream of visitors.

The IARU WRC-07 pin is a popular collectible and is being displayed on many lapels and lanyards around the conference center. The IARU hosted a very successful reception for 200 key delegates on the evening of 31 October in the ITU cafeteria.

The International Amateur Radio Club (IARC) station, 4U1ITU, is operating under the special call sign 4U1WRC. The station is sporting new antennas that were erected especially for the conference; afterwards they have to be removed temporarily to make way for repairs to the roof of the building. The IARC has invited delegates to take part, on the last Sunday of the conference, in an excursion to the Swiss National Museum of Sound and Image in Montreux.

Progress on the agenda items of interest to the amateur services has been slow. The 4-10 MHz issue is bogged down, with opponents of HF broadcasting expansion holding fast to a position of "no change." HF BC proponents are not nearly as numerous as in 2003 and are mainly in Europe; they have backed off from an initial position of 350 kHz of expansion down to 200 kHz, but there has not yet been any movement from the other side. In the meantime work on the other 4-10 MHz issues, including the possibility of a 5-MHz secondary amateur allocation (which so far is supported by the European BC proponents), cannot progress. Even if the HF BC allocation could be settled quickly, which seems unlikely at this point, time is running out to complete work on the rest of these issues. Meetings will continue over the weekend and well into next week.

Early this week it appeared that the issue of a 135.7-137.8 kHz secondary allocation to the amateur service had been settled favorably. However, it turned out that the concerns of some Arab administrations had not been fully satisfied and more work needed to be done.

On Friday morning, 2 November the allocation was approved at the Working Group 4C level with two footnotes, one of which limits power to 1 watt e.i.r.p. and a second that allows countries in Region 1 to opt out of the allocation if they wish. Saudi Arabia repeated its opposition to the allocation and requested that this be noted in the Working Group's report to Committee 4. The allocation still has to be approved by Committee 4 and the Plenary. The next meeting of Committee 4 is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, 6 November.

The process of identifying possible frequency bands for future international mobile telecommunications (cell phones and beyond) is very contentious. One frequency range being examined is 2.3-2.4 GHz, which of course is of concern to us although there is no immediate cause for alarm.

Prior to every WRC we look for opportunities to clean up so-called "country footnotes" that allow individual administrations to depart from the regional or international allocations that are in the body of the Table of Frequency Allocations. It is gratifying that several countries have agreed to remove themselves from footnotes that apply to parts of 160 and 80 meters, 6 meters, and (in some European countries) parts of 70 cm.

With regard to agenda items for future WRCs, discussions will begin in earnest on Saturday, 3 November. Proposals have been offered for agenda items dealing with possible amateur allocations around 500 kHz, 5 MHz, and (in Region 1) 50 MHz; of course, 50 MHz is already allocated to the amateur service in Regions 2 and 3. There are more than 40 proposals for future agenda items, which is at least twice as many as are likely to be approved, so the fate of "our" future agenda items remains to be determined. The IARU team is following other proposed agenda items closely to determine (and minimize, to the extent we are able) their potential impact on the amateur services.

The initial core IARU team consisted of Larry Price, W4RA, Ken Pulfer, VE3PU, Reinaldo Leandro, YV5AMH, and Paul Rinaldo, W4RI. Hans Zimmermann, HB9AQS was here to help out with the German trailer. Dave Sumner, K1ZZ arrived on October 24 and Tim Ellam, VE6SH arrived on October 30.

Some team members will be leaving before the end of the conference. We also have considerable help from amateur representatives on other national delegations and from Tafa Diop, 6W1KI, who is here for the first half of the conference representing the African Telecommunications Union. National delegates, a few of whom are here part-time, include: Jim Dean, VE3IQ (Canada) Ole Garpestad, LA2RR (Norway) Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T (Netherlands) Jay Oka, JA1TRC (Japan) Peter Lake, ZL2AZ (New Zealand) Keith Malcolm, VK1ZKM (Australia) Colin Thomas, G3PSM (UK) Walt Ireland, WB7CSL (USA) Jonathan Siverling, WB3ERA (USA) Joong-geun Rhee, HL1AQQ (Rep. of Korea)

Other members of national delegations both licensed and unlicensed, are being of considerable assistance; their support and cooperation is deeply appreciated.

The 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) began in Geneva on 22 October and will run until 16 November.

Among the more than 2700 attendees will be the IARU WRC-07 core team headed by IARU President Larry Price, W4RA, and including IARU Vice President Tim Ellam, VE6SH; IARU Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ; IARU Region 2 President Reinaldo Leandro, YV5AMH; Ken Pulfer, VE3PU; Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, and Hans Zimmermann, HB9AQS/F5VKP.

While most of the 28 agenda items under consideration at WRC-07 do not directly affect Amateur Radio, several proposals of particular interest to radio amateurs will be considered during the four weeks of the conference. Heading the list is the possibility of a new, secondary allocation to the Amateur Service just above 5 MHz.

The administration of Mexico has proposed modifying the Table of Frequency Allocations to provide for a worldwide, secondary allocation to the Amateur Service at 5.260-5.410 MHz, with the fixed and mobile (except aeronautical mobile) services remaining primary. This frequency range includes the five spot frequencies that amateurs in the US are allowed to use under restrictions designed to protect federal government operations. Recognizing the need to improve the reliability of amateur communication in emergencies, several other administrations have made similar provisions for their amateurs on a domestic basis.

"Recent natural disasters have again demonstrated the value of the Amateur Service in providing communications in the affected area when other communication infrastructures are unavailable," the proposal from Mexico states. "This highlights the need for reliable amateur communications round the clock, under changing propagation conditions during solar cycles." When the Maximum Useable Frequency (MUF) is below 7 MHz and the Lowest Useable Frequency (LUF) is too far above 3.8 MHz, it is difficult for communication to be supported in the 3.8 MHz band using typical amateur power levels and antennas. The proposal cites experiments demonstrating the value of the 5 MHz band and showing that amateurs can operate there without causing harmful interference to the primary services.
Some European administrations are taking a slightly different approach toward the same objective. A European Common Proposal has been submitted to add a footnote reading, "Administrations may allow stations in the Amateur Service to operate in the band 5260-5410 kHz on a secondary basis. Stations shall not use a radiated power exceeding 24 dBW [250 W]."

Cuba proposes addressing the need for an amateur allocation in the vicinity of 5 MHz by placing it on the agenda of the next WRC, now scheduled for 2011.

According to IARU Secretary David Sumner, "The IARU is grateful to these administrations for putting forward their proposals, as well as to other administrations that already have expressed their support. Because of renewed interest in HF communication among government agencies and the military and pressure from HF broadcasters for more spectrum, we know it will not be easy to achieve this allocation."
The conference will also consider a secondary allocation to the amateur service of 135.7-137.8 kHz. The Amateur Service currently has no frequency allocations lower than 1.8 MHz. With today's widespread use of digital technology, David Sumner said, amateurs can now make use of weaker signals than ever before. "This opens a window of opportunity for amateurs to conduct technical investigations in the low-frequency range." More than 20 governments have already allowed individuals, most of them Amateur Radio operators, to experiment on frequencies between 73 and 200 kHz; 15 European governments allow amateur operations on 135.7-137.8 kHz. There is considerable support for this allocation in proposals from a large number of administrations.

Planning for WRC-11
Four items are on the IARU "wish list" of agenda items for consideration at the next WRC, possibly in 2011:
• In IARU Region 1 (Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Africa), allocate 50-54 MHz (6 meters), as is already done in Region 2 and Region 3. The United States is a member of Region 2.
• Allocate 495-510 kHz to the Amateur Service on either a primary or secondary basis. This will permit the development of reliable groundwave systems for disaster relief and provide a spectrum for experimentation with digital signal processing.
• Continue to allow amateurs access to frequencies at regular intervals above 275 GHz, keeping in mind allocations and protections to other services. The IARU suggests providing specific allocations to the Amateur Service, as established at WARC-79, of "relatively narrow, primary bands adjacent to wider, secondary bands."
• If the ITU Member States decide to review HF allocations at WRC-11, the IARU asks for consideration of expansion of the amateur bands near 10, 14 and 18 MHz in order to better accommodate increased activity. David Sumner notes that consideration of HF issues at WRC-11 is by no means certain.