WGRR, 28 Sept. - 2 Oct. 1998, Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.

The following subjects were considered by the Working Group:

- Strategy and organisation of WGRR
- Conformity Assessment matters
- R& TTE directive
- Maritime issues
- Draft ERC Report on harmonisation of Licensing
- One Stop Shopping for satellite networks
- Enforcement
- Radio Amateurs
- TETRA
- UMTS
- S-PCS < 1 GHz
- PMR Work Shop

Strategy and organisation of WGRR

A discussion document was produced, which outlined a number of tasks that would be of major importance for WGRR in the future. The changing environment and all kinds of developments (new systems, globalisation, convergence, increasing importance of the CEPT role regarding WRCs) made it necessary to adapt the goals of WGRR and the methods to achieve them. The discussion document would be rediscussed and updated at the next meeting.

In order to be able to realise the future targets and to respond more efficiently to market demands, WGRR decided to change the current structure of the Project Teams and to introduce so called RR Task Groups, to tackle specific, important items. Task Groups would have a limited duration, as long as necessary for achieving the specific targets given to them.

RR1 (test report forms) was dissolved, remaining tasks to be taken over by RR9(conformity assessment), RR6(licensing) and 7(free circulation) were combined.

Conformity Assessment matters

The meeting discussed the future of ERC/DEC/(97)10 when the R&TTE Directive comes into force but did not take a decision yet. The best option seems to be to modify the Decision to make it compatible with the R&TTE Directive for all CEPT countries in such a way that it would facilitate mutual recognition between non-EEA countries so that it could also be used as a sector annex in the ECAAs between individual non-EEA countries and the EU. The ECAAs will implement the present and anticipated EU legislation including the R&TTE Directive anyway but it is estimated that the coming into force of these ECAAs may take between 5 to 10 years and that perhaps a recommendation format of a regime based on the RTTED might help to develop the conformity assessment regimes in the non-EEA countries to be ready for the implementation of these ECAAs.

It was decided to continue the study of possible new candidate standards to be implemented as common conformity assessment requirements by ERC Decisions because these Decisions were also serving the mutual recognition regime defined by ERC REC 01-06.

It was noted that the implementation situation of ERC/DEC/(97)10 had not essentially improved from the previous WG RR meeting. The necessary changes in national legislation take time and some countries have obviously decided to make changes in their regulations to implement directly the RTTED.

A proposal to update the list of ERC Decisions annexed to ERC Report 12 on implementation of standards, proposing some new equipment identification markings was approved.

R& TTE directive

Ad hoc groups were established, chaired by members of WGRR, which have to deal with some specific aspects of the R&TTE Directive, like equipment class identification and market surveillance. They are intended to prepare the implementation until the TCAM will start meetings. A first meeting is expected to be in February next year. It is expected that the amended Directive will be adopted in the European Parliament soon. After that the Council has to decide upon the amendments made by the Parliament. They probably will not accept all of the amendments. However, it is expected that the Directive will be formally adopted in December 1998.

Ad hoc group B: The chairman of the group, Mr. Lindfors mentioned that perhaps there will be only one equipment class identifier namely a warning sign. The Ad hoc group is also working on a guidance note for industry with regard to the information to be given to the user.

A problem may occur regarding the publication of information on frequencies. It is not clear yet how the information should be supplied and published. There is a relation on this matter to ERC/DEC/(97)01. There may not be enough time to work out a solution to this subject and implement it before the R&TTE Directive comes into force.(January 1999).

Ad hoc group A: The most important point was the co-operation of the ad hoc group and PT11, since both groups are dealing with Enforcement. Because of the similarity of the work to be done in these groups, the activities were combined. WGRR decided that as long as it is clear for whom the work has to be done there are no objections to the co-operation of the groups.

Task group 6: Mr. Cull pointed out that the main task of Task Group 6 is to examine the implications of the Directive for the (total) working field of ETSI.

There are three areas of interest for Task group 6:
- to draft a guidance for the production of harmonised standards;
- to draft a work program; T
The work program will be finalised at the end of this year; examine and produce a guidance to help the ETSI members.

The work of Task group 6 will partially be based on the equipment classes to be identified by Ad hoc group B.

Besides the essential requirements harmonised standards will contain some additional technical requirements. The kind of requirements that will be part of the standard still has to be decided upon. It was stated that the essential requirements are part of the Directive and are therefore to be seen as legislation. ETSI produces the standards. These standards are voluntary. Equipment will comply with the essential requirements of the Directive if the equipment complies with the standard. But there can also be other ways to prove that the essential requirements are met.

The Commission emphasised that the removal of a priori market access controls will have the effect that more non-compliant products will be on the market. Only through effective co-operation between surveillance bodies will it be possible to exercise market surveillance in a cost effective manner. He therefore emphasised the need for surveillance authorities to strengthen their co-operation and the need to assess the resources required for market surveillance under the new Directive.

Maritime issues

Two ERC Decisions, one dealing with the GOC and ROC examination syllabi and the other one dealing with AIS frequencies on the maritime VHF band were discussed.

After modifications the draft Decision on the harmoniszed examination syllabi for the General Operator's Certificate (GOC) and the Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC) was approved to be submitted to the ERC for adoption for public consultation.

The draft Decision on the Automatic ship Identification and Surveillance System (AIS) channels in the maritime VHF band had been forwarded to both WGFM and WGRR. A response was received from WGFM, proposing a number of modifications and stating that FM will submit the text to the ERC.

The text provided by WGFM and the amendments made by WGRR in the draft Decision on the Automatic ship Identification and Surveillance System (AIS) channels in the maritime VHF band will be returned to WGFM. WGFM will submit this Decision to the ERC for adoption for public consultation.

RR2 has assisted CPG PT4 by drafting the CEPT brief regarding WRC-2000 agenda item 1.7.

There are still concerns amongst some administrations on Inmarsat-C type approval. If RR2 receives proposals from administrations on this issue, the matter will be taken up at the next RR2 meeting, otherwise it will be dropped from the work programme.

At the request of ETSI ERM-RP01, RR2 had discussed the idea of producing a standard for 12.5 kHz maritime VHF equipment. The opinion of RR2 was that ETSI should not prepare a standard for 12.5 kHz equipment, but instead should consider the interoperability of 25 and 12.5 kHz equipment.

Regarding class F DSC equipment, several administrations participating in RR2 have expressed sympathy towards not licensing class F equipment at all and have suggested that class F equipment should be removed from the ITU-R standard dealing with DSC.

The work programme of RR2 contains following issues: ERC Recommendation on the content and format of GOC and ROC certificates ERC Recommendation or Report on the practical arrangements of maritime radio examinations Assistance to CPG PT4 of WRC-2000 maritime work items Preparations for ITU-R WP8B meetings Co-operation with other regional organisations on AIS frequency use Inmarsat-C type approval Follow-up of WRC-97 decisions on ship database Co-operation with IMO on non-WRC matters Follow-up of the Marine Directive Follow-up of the Directive on the minimum level of training of seafarers

Draft ERC Report on harmonisation of Licensing

The meeting approved this Report on licensing and licence conditions. It will be published by ERO as ERC Report 61.

One Stop Shopping for satellite networks

The OSS team is trying to make the procedure as simple and uniform as possible and attractive to as many administrations as possible so that it could be implemented by a large number of Administrations, in order to make the procedure a success. The Terms of Reference were drafted as well as the scope of and possible structure of the procedure. The next ERC meeting will be requested to approve the scope and the chart before the drafting of the implementing instruments is started.

There is a large interest from the satellite industry for the work as well as the support from the EC.

Enforcement

The report from both PT11 installed by the ERC and Ad Hoc Group A of the European Commission on market surveillance was presented. The report included some points WGRR had to decide upon.

Administrations were asked to supply RR11/AHG-A with information regarding:

Radio Amateurs

The application from the Netherlands Antilles to join T/R 61-01 could be accepted by all administrations that reacted to the application. The Netherlands Antilles will issue a licence in accordance with the CEPT format.

France informed the meeting that they have implemented T/R 61-02.

The UK informed the meeting that they have received information that there were plans to address the subject of the development of a harmonised radio amateur examination on a world wide scale. If this was the case Europe should promote the HAREC system. The information was confirmed by the IARU representative, but little details were known at this moment.

FCC's progress with the implementation of T/R 61-01 with regard to the CEPT approval to join TR 61-01 would be checked.

TETRA

Licensing, free circulation and conformity assessment of TETRA terminals were addressed. Draft ERC Decisions on free circulation and licensing exemption of TETRA terminals were discussed.

The scope of the draft ERC Decision on free circulation and use of TETRA civil mobile terminals is restricted to TETRA civil only. It is recognised however that at some future stage it may be appropriate to amend this Decision to include also TETRA for emergency services

The following Decisions were adopted by the meeting and will be submitted to the next ERC for approval for public consultation: Draft ERC Decision on Exemption from Individual Licensing of Terrestrial Trunked Radio System TETRA Civil Mobile Terminals Draft ERC Decision on free Circulation and Use of Terrestrial Trunked Radio System (TETRA) Civil Mobile Terminals

UMTS

A draft ERC Report on global circulation of IMT-2000 terminals was presented. The report has been developed in TG1 of the ERC in close co-operation with the UMTS Forum. The success of IMT-2000 will largely depend on whether IMT-2000 terminals will enjoy unrestricted use throughout the world. For other systems like GMPCS not all countries have allowed free circulation. This should not be the case with regard to UMTS.

It will be necessary to work out arrangements for IMT-2000 global circulation. Otherwise it is expected that a number of countries will require IMT-2000 terminals to be individually licensed, or some other regulatory formalities will be required.

The report on circulation describes several methods to achieve the global circulation. All of these methods has some benefits and drawbacks. It is expected that there will not be one 'big' solution to the issue, but a set of small steps.

The question of IMT-2000 circulation is not only a CEPT matter but a global issue. Therefore the matter must be raised in a global forum in order to find global solutions. Some of the steps proposed in the report are: To raise the issue of circulation of IMT-2000 terminals in the WTO (World Trade Organisation and the WCO; To utilise the contacts between CEPT and other regional telecommunications organisations; Continue to raise the issue of IMT-2000 global circulation at all relevant conferences; Support the idea to discuss IMT-2000 on high policy level WTPF (World

Telecommunication Policy Forum); Prepare a policy document agreed by regulators, manufacturers and operators;

The aims of these steps would be to: Agree on the removal of customs duties from IMT-2000 terminals; Agree that no individual licences or other regulatory formalities should be required for IMT-2000 terminals; Agree on the removal of other existing barriers, when they are not justified from a technical or economic perspective; Work towards an ITU-R Recommendation for IMT-2000 family stating few high level essential requirements.

The draft Report also contains in its annex elements for an ERC Decision on the circulation of UMTS terminals within CEPT.

WGRR concluded the following:

The ERC Report on global circulation of IMT-2000 terminals was adopted and will be published by ERO as ERC Report 60.

WG RR will start further work to develop the draft ERC Decision on the free circulation of UMTS terminals within CEPT and will also actively promote the global circulation of IMT-2000 terminals and work further with other issues described in the Report. The report shall be sent to other regional telecommunications organizations. The Chairman will also take it up in the forthcoming discussions between ERC and FCC.

Finland was requested to send the Report for ITU-R TG 8/1 on behalf of the CEPT. In the covering letter it should be stated that TG 8/1 should make use of the technical and operational material in the Report but regarding the regulatory material the Report is for information to TG 8/1.

S-PCS < 1 GHz

WGRR received a draft text for a free circulation and use and licence exemption Decision for S-PCS < 1 GHZ. This Decision is copying the text of a similar Decision for S-PCS >1GHZ and adjusts only the frequency part of the Decision.

It was discussed that after the adoption of the Decision administrations are supposed to allow the free circulation of the S-PCS <1GHz terminals. The free circulation Decision covers also those bands that are shared with land mobile services. Concerns were expressed about the possibility of the Milestones Review Process to prohibit the interference caused by satellite systems to terrestrial communications. The meeting was not aware of the technical and operational means through which interference is expected to be avoided.

WGRR noted that the text of the Decision is more or less similar to the text of the existing S-PCS Decision. Assuming that FM had discussed and approved the frequency matters in detail and apart from the outcome of WGSE, WGRR could not see a reason not to endorse the Decision and pass it to ERC for adoption.

PMR Work Shop

The meeting was informed about the reasons for having a Work Shop on PMR during this WGRR meeting. In May 1998 a Work Shop on PMR took place in Brussels organised by ERO in co-operation with ECTEL and supported by the European Commission. During this Work Shop a number of issues such as licensing procedures and fees were brought up by industry and users as problem areas. Since these issues were within the area of work of WGRR, the Chairman had proposed during the Work Shop in Brussels to organise a similar event during this RR meeting in order to investigate what actions could be taken to remedy the problems raised.

It was concluded that the outcome of the workshop gave reason to establish a special task group on PMR which should study: the time period to issue a licence the level of fees the licence duration the licence conditions

The Terms of reference are the following:

The task group is set up, as a result of concerns expressed by the industry, to harmonise regulatory requirements relating to the use of PMR services. Currently there are many wide ranging variations in the areas of licensing and fees policies and procedures

The task group will:

- define the PMR service and list the different applications;
- consider current licensing practices and procedures
- to include licence conditions, licence duration, and target times for issuing licences;
- prepare model licence application forms; prepare model licence documentation;
- consider ways in which licence fee policies for PMR might be harmonised by investigating what fees are used for by administrations and what they consist of; prepare draft ERC instruments to implement the model licence application forms and documentation, and fees policies;

In order to carry out these tasks, the task group will use information already available e.g. ERO reports. Careful attention will also be paid to any existing regulatory requirements and developments in CEPT, the EU, and ITU R.

The task group will also liaise with other project teams in WGRR.

The task group will produce a final report of its work to the WGRR meeting in September 1999, and submit progress reports at every WGRR meeting.

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