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Objectives
The World Radiocommunications Conferences (WRCs) are the organ of the ITU with the responsibility for amending the Radio Regulations. For this reason WRCs are of significant importance to the communications industry.
ESA’s project within its ARTES FP programme “Preparation of WRC-15 and Support to European Regulatory Activities” provided the opportunity for the ESA to support the general positioning of the European satellite industry to promote and safeguard the European interests on issues to be addressed at the WRC-15.
The high level goals pursued were:
- to proactively engage in WRC preparations, prepare common positions, and engage at CEPT and ITU preparations;
- to undertakes, or foster such undertakings, of necessary technical studies to support WRC preparations;
- to find ways to deal with proposals unfavourable to the satellite industry;
- to attend CEPT and at ITU meetings (also other regional meetings), where possible within the ESA delegations.
Challenges
Several agenda items (AIs) identified for the WRC-15 have had a significant bearing on the satellite industry. These AIs were identified in the ESA’s Statement of Work (SOW). There were several non-WRC items also identified in the SOW. European Satellite Industry Consortium (ESIC) was formed to undertake the work, and ESIC made a clear assignment of responsibilities among its partners, identifying AI (or non-WRC item) Task Coordinators. Although these Task Coordinator generally assumed responsibilities for the conduct of the work, the whole group worked as a team to support each other as far as practicable.
ESIC members met frequently, every two months, alternating physical meetings and audioconferences. ESIC members attended CEPT, ITU and other regional or international meetings. There were regular email correspondence dealing with on-going issues. During the project important achievements were made and relevant lessons were also learnt.
Current Status
The project has been completed in 2016.
Companies
