CRA Integrates ITU’s WRC-15 Outcomes into National Regulations & Future Spectrum Planning

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) marked the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) by announcing its plans to integrate the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU’s) World Radio Communication Conference (WRC) outcomes into Qatar’s national regulatory framework. The outcomes were a result of comprehensive discussions during WRC-15 held in Geneva in November 2015.

WTISD is celebrated across the globe to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide. It was formerly known as World Telecommunications Day.

Qatar is a signatory to the ITU Convention, which obliges Qatar to comply with the ITU’s Radio Regulations. CRA President Mohammed Ali Al-Mannai signed the Final Acts revising the Radio Regulations at WRC-15 on behalf of Qatar. The benefits to Qatar from the outcomes of WRC–15 are considerable and CRA has developed a domestic spectrum management plan for these outcomes in preparation for bringing into force the latest version of ITU’s Radio Regulations at the start of 2017.

Integrating WRC-15 outcomes into Qatar’s national regulatory framework will be achieved predominantly through updates to Qatar’s National Frequency Allocation Plan and coordination with relevant stakeholders.

“Updates to Qatar’s regulatory regime reflecting the revisions to ITU’s Radio Regulations will spur long-term investment in Qatar’s ICT industry by improvements in a number of areas including broadband communications, air and road safety, and disaster relief,” said Faisal Al-Shuaibi, CRA’s spokesperson.

The WRC-15 outcomes identified as being of particular interest to Qatar and which have a corresponding plan for implementation by CRA are summarized below:

• Allocation of spectrum to facilitate new mobile broadband applications
• A globally harmonized frequency range 694-894 MHz for Public Protection and Disaster Relief (public safety communications)
• A new resolution to allow development by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of worldwide standards for unmanned aircraft systems’ satellite communications in certain frequency bands, and international regulatory conditions that may be applied to these systems
• An allocation of 250 MHz in the frequency range 13.5-13.75 GHz (DL) and 14.5-14.75 GHz (UL) for downlink and uplink of the fixed satellite service (FSS)
• Mobility applications accessing FSS spectrum to receive a boost with 1.2m earth stations on vessels being approved beyond 330Km of shore, and with the access to the Ka-bands 19.7-20.2 GHz and 29.5-30 GHz by earth stations in motion (ESIMs)
• Improve the global tracking of aircraft anywhere in the world by satellite receivers of civilian aircraft using existing transmissions from aircraft. This is a high profile issue after the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 in March 2014
• Consider spectrum demand for on-board communication stations in the maritime mobile service
• Enable possible new Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology applications and possible new applications to improve maritime radiocommunication
• Allocate 15 KHz spectrum in the frequency range 5250-5450 KHz for Amateur Radio Service (ARS)
• A global spectrum allocation for wireless avionics intra-communications (WAIC) to facilitate the transition to wireless within aeroplanes
• A global allocation for short-range high-resolution automotive radar in the 79 GHz frequency band to improve road safety and efficiency in technology for driverless cars

Full details of the major WRC-15 outcomes and the CRA plan for implementation are available here.

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) is the communications regulator in the state of Qatar established by virtue of Emiri Decree (42) in 2014. CRA regulates the communications & information technology and postal sectors, and access to digital media. CRA uses its regulatory powers mandated by the Emiri decree to protect consumer rights, ensure competition, manage the resolution of disputes, and manage the electromagnetic spectrum. In all its activities, the CRA seeks to ensure the provision of advanced, innovative and reliable ICT and postal services across the state of Qatar.