TRA Concludes its Participation in the ITU-WRC 2019

Mobilk - The UAE concluded its participation in the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19) held in Sharm El Sheikh with the participation of 165 Member States. The UAE participated with a high-level delegation including the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Interior and the UAE service providers.

Through its participation, the UAE has contributed significantly in highlighting the role of the Arab Spectrum Management Group (ASMG), and presented many working papers and opinions on all the topics of the agenda. The UAE also made a number of proposals that helped bridging opinions between the participating countries and reaching solutions that achieve satisfactory results for the UAE in particular and for the Arab region in general.

On this participation, Eng. Tariq Al Awadhi, Executive Director Spectrum Affairs and the Head of the Arab Spectrum Management Group (ASMG), said: "The success of the UAEs participation in the conference is the result of the early preparations, which started immediately after the WRC-15, where a national team was assigned to prepare for the WRC-19. The team was chaired by TRA and included all relevant government entities as well as operators, manufacturers and suppliers, to benefit from their expertise in achieving the interests of the country and shape the future of spectrum management. During the preparatory period, the national team held eight major meetings during which the most important topics affecting the current uses in the country were discussed, taking into account the requirements of the leading technological innovations in this field."

WRC-19 has addressed the requirements of leading technological innovations that can play a pivotal role in the future digital economy. Among these requirements: allocating additional frequency bands for IMT, enabling the implementation of IMT networks (5G), Earth Stations in Motion (ESIM) that facilitate communication from aircraft, ships and land vehicles with satellites in the geostationary-satellite orbit (GSO), Railway Radiocommunication Systems between Train and Trackside (RSTT), to meet the needs of the high-speed rail, modernizing the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) to widen geographic coverage to the polar regions, and improving flight tracking using a modern aeronautical distress and safety system.

During the conference, a number of important decisions were taken, including the approval of additional spectrum allocations for IMT 2020 (5G technology). Concerning the Earth Exploration-satellite Service (EESS), the service has been provided with protection along with the possibility of granting a global initial allocation in the frequency band 22.55-23.15 GHz to be used for satellite tracking, telemetry and control.

The regulatory procedures on non-GSO satellite constellations in the fixed-satellite service have been revised to enable new telecom generations capabilities. Additional frequency bands have also been allocated for High-altitude Platform Station (HAPS) systems, which rely on radios placed on stratospheric aerial platforms to facilitate communications within a wide coverage area below to enable affordable broadband access in rural and remote areas.

Regarding WiFi networks, regulatory provisions have been revised to accommodate the use of indoor and outdoor wireless access systems, including radio local networks, for end-user radio connections and public or private core networks such as WiFi, while minimizing their interference to existing satellite services. With regard to RSTT, the resolution was approved to facilitate the RSTT deployment to meet the needs of the high-speed rail environment.

After the conference, TRA started to update the national frequency plan and the relevant regulations in the UAE in accordance with the ITU Radio Regulations. TRA also continues to play its leading role locally and regionally to begin the early preparations for the upcoming conference, which will be held in 2023, to ensure that the UAE is up to date with the latest technological developments in this field.

It is worth mentioning that the UAE was assigned several leadership positions during the previous session. Eng. Khalid Al Awadi chaired the preparatory meeting of the conference, Eng. Sultan Al Baloushi was assigned as the Vice Chairman of the Fifth Study Group, and Eng. Ahmad Amin was assigned as Vice Chairman of the Seventh Study Group.

At the WRC-19, Eng. Tariq Al-Awadhi was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Conference as the Head of the Arab Spectrum Management Group (ASMG).  Eng. Sultan Albalooshi chaired Working Group 4A on the discussion of IMT-related matters, and Eng. Ahmed Amin also chaired Working Group 5A on satellite services topics.

TRA also received a number of leadership positions for the next session. Eng. Mohammed Al Hassani was elected Vice Chairman of the Vocabulary Committee, as well as a Rapporteur for the second semester. Eng. Sultan Albalooshi and Ahmed Amin continued as Vice-Chairmen for the fifth and seventh Study Groups.