Fixed (Point-to-Point) Terrestrial Links Information Sheet |
1 Introduction
2 FTSLU
3 RA's FLCC and SPWG Preliminary
Requirements
4 Document Development and Consultation Process
4.1 UK Stage
4.2 European Stage
4.3 Publishing
5 Making Interpretations on Radio Interface Requirements
and UK Voluntary National Specifications
6 Early Implementation for Technologies agreed in
principle by ETSI but not yet included in European Standards
7 Supersession Arrangements
8 ETSI Public Enquiry & Vote
Procedures
9 Specifications Working Group (SPWG)
10 RA WebPage Documentation
12 Contact Details
Annex B: Glossary
1.1 This document aims to help industry and customers understand the consultative procedure requirements for proposing changes to the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) UK Radio Interface Requirements. These procedures are also applicable to any UK Voluntary National Specifications under the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE) Directive. This directive is sometimes listed as Directive 1999/5/EC but is referred to as R&TTED throughout this guide.
1.2 The UK Radio Interface Requirements provide a high-level description of how spectrum in the UK is used for fixed (point-to-point) terrestrial radio relay systems. It does not prescribe technical interpretation of the ‘essential requirements’ of the R&TTED.
1.3 The UK Radio Interface Requirements stipulate the equipment and antenna reference codes requested by the RA’s licence application form (RA8) to allow fixed (point-to-point) terrestrial radio relay systems to be licensed in the UK.
1.4 In order to comply with the provisions of the R&TTED, radio systems must comply with all relevant ‘essential requirements’ under Article 3.2 of the directive. In this context, the use of the ETSI Harmonised Standards gives a presumption of conformity to the R&TTED.
1.5 Both the UK Radio Interface Requirements and the UK Voluntary National Specifications are subject to Directive 98/34/EC notification procedures which help to avoid barriers to trade, and which give other member states the opportunity to influence their outcome.
1.6 Frequency bands not covered by ETSI Harmonised Standards, for fixed (point-to-point) terrestrial radio relay systems in the UK, are specified in the UK Radio Interface Requirements with reference to the appropriate UK Voluntary National Specifications.
1.7 All MPT 1400 and 1700 series specifications have now been superseded by the UK Interface Requirements with exception to the following, which in the absence of any European standard(s) are now offered as Voluntary National Specifications:
2.1 The RA2 Fixed Terrestrial & Satellite Links Unit (FTSLU) is responsible for formulating UK Fixed Link Equipment and Antenna Radio Interface Requirements and UK Voluntary National Specifications. The Unit also co-ordinates UK inputs to the European Fixed Links Standards activities (mainly within the European Telecommunications Standards Institute Transmission and Multiplexing Committee, abbreviated to ETSI TM4).
3.1 ETSI TM4 shall have already approved equipment and antenna performance changes before RA’s Fixed Terrestrial & Satellite Links Unit (FTSLU) consider any amendments to current regulations. However, FTSLU may consider proposals prior to the completion of the Public Enquiry (PE) stage.
3.2 Changes to any UK Radio Interface Requirements or UK Voluntary National Specifications are required from time to time to reflect new frequency bands, channel bandwidths, changing requirements, technological improvements, increasing spectrum congestion etc. Changes are considered to be either ‘New Additions’ or ‘Amendments’ as follows:
3.3 All requirements for changes should be submitted in writing to FTLSU (see contact details at section 11) so that the appropriate consultative committee can address the proposal. All proposals will be tabled at the next committee meeting at which the RA will seek general support from the membership for the change(s).
3.4 ‘New Additions’ affecting UK regulations are put into effect on an annual basis and usually become effective in July each year. To guarantee inclusion in a particular year any proposals should be made at least six months in advance, otherwise FTSLU cannot guarantee inclusion in that year’s amendment to the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) Regulations. ‘Revisions’ are more straightforward and can be implemented after receiving a positive response from the European Commission (EC) to a Directive 98/34/EC notification. The minimum time for effecting a ‘Revision’ is three months. However, this time can be extended until all detailed comments have been resolved.
4.1 When effecting change to UK Radio Interface Requirements or UK Voluntary National Specifications there are a number of stages that need to be completed. These are: the UK stage, the European stage and the Publication stage, and they are described later in this section.
4.1.1 FTSLU will determine whether there is a need to effect the following:
4.1.2 Members of FTSLU need to be initially informed and consulted regarding the proposals. Other RA committees, user groups, trade associations, etc., might also need to be informed and consulted. FTSLU will be responsible for any documentation requirements. If enough interest is expressed then the Chairman of the appropriate consultative committee may form a separate drafting sub-group to undertake the specific task of changing the document. Otherwise the consultative committee will process the proposal. The author and co-ordinator of each document will be a member of FTSLU.
4.1.3 The final draft with details of the changes will be presented, electronically, to members of the Committee. This will usually be done in time to coincide with the next Committee meeting so that the Chairman can ask members to formally approve the documentation before notifying it under Directive 98/34/EC. Members will be asked to submit any comments in writing within a given time period which is usually 10 working days; if it is more than 50 pages then this time will be extended.
4.2.2 Directive 98/34/EC requires that any EU Member State which is introducing a regulatory measure which could be viewed as a technical barrier to trade, has to notify the Commission of the details of the measure. Therefore UK Radio Interface Requirements and UK Voluntary National Specifications must be made known under this procedure. The notifier will be a member of RA staff.
4.2.3 The application shall be notified to the EC through Directive 98/34/EC via the DTI Standards and Technical Regulations Directorate, with the appropriate notification documentation.
4.2.4 The EC then distributes the application to all EU member administrations for them to consider and respond to if they wish. There are two types of response that administrations or the EC can make. These are a ‘comment’ or a ‘detailed opinion’. Having received the application the EC sets a time period of three months in which administrations have the opportunity to respond. RA cannot effect any applications until the three month standstill period has expired.
4.2.5 If a ‘comment’ is received within this three month standstill period, it is suggested that it is considered, but this is not mandatory; neither is it mandatory to respond, although some administrations do. A comment does not extend the three month standstill period.
4.2.6 If a ‘detailed opinion’ is received then this is classed as more serious and a response to the European Commission must be given. If RA feels that there is justification for not accepting the detailed opinion, then RA must defend its position with the European Commission. If the detailed opinion is acceptable to RA, the method of resolution which implements this opinion must be declared to the European Commission. In either defending or accepting a detailed opinion, the European Commission will respond to the proposed actions noting their acceptability. A ‘detailed opinion’ will extend the standstill period by 1 to 4 months from the date of the original notification if the detailed opinion relates to a voluntary agreement or, in all other cases, 3 to 6 months from the date of the original notification.
4.2.7 If an issue is raised by the European Commission that relates to proposed directives, directives about to be adopted and or decisions, then any technical regulations can be blocked for between 12 and 18 months.
4.2.8 After the standstill period, up to two weeks should be allowed for late comments before publishing the final document.
Note - Responsibility: It is RA’s responsibility to initiate this procedure and fill in the appropriate forms.
Note - EC notification procedure: This procedure is constantly developing and being reviewed. The BSI regularly circulates updates on this notification procedure and the Directive numbers change to accommodate any revisions.
Note - Consequences of not notifying: A European court ruling declares that any standards not notified through this procedure are not enforceable.
4.3.1 Once the final version is ready for printing, it is passed to RA’s Communications Unit (CU).
4.3.2 The revised document is made available in hard copy and on the RA website. The document will also be provided as a PDF (Portable Document Format) file as soon as the EC agreed version becomes available.
Note - Photocopies for the RA library: FTSLU will arrange for draft interim copies of the document to be placed in the RA library until the final version is available.
5.1 FTSLU representatives may be required to give interpretations of various issues related to UK Radio Interface Requirements or UK Voluntary National Specifications. For example, the detail might be ambiguous and require clarification.
5.2 In such circumstances a technical interpretation should be sought from FTSLU. Contact details are given in section 11.
6.1 Because of the intensive utilisation of Fixed Links in the UK it may be necessary, in certain circumstances, to authorise the early implementation of state of the art equipment not yet addressed by published ETSI Harmonised Standards. The need for such equipment must be balanced with the wider necessity to promote European harmonisation of radio equipment. Equipment will be addressed on its merits within the appropriate FTSLU Consultative Committee. Any action(s) taken will require the R&TTE and 98/34/EC Directives to be satisfied.
7.1 When a UK Radio Interface Requirements or UK Voluntary Specification has undergone revision, the revised document is said to have superseded the old. Wherever possible ETSI standards will be used to facilitate the harmonisation of radio standards across Europe.
8.1 As the UK’s National Standards Organisation (NSO), the BSI distributes the ETSI Harmonised Standards that are out for Public Enquiry or Vote. There are various committees set up to receive certain categories of radio standards. BSI’s DISC Telecommunications Committee TCT/301 covers the ETSI Radio Telecommunication Standards that include Digital Radio Relay Systems (DRRS) for point-to-point communications.
8.2 FTSLU is responsible for collecting, collating and returning the UK response for each fixed (point-to-point) radio relay system related draft standard that is out on Public Enquiry (PE) or Vote. FTSLU contacts are appointed to receive comments for each of the standards. FTSLU will coordinate any necessary reviews, as appropriate, to resolve any matters which affect the UK’s position to respond positively to either the PE or Vote. The review process usually consists of an open debate at the SPWG and/or the electronic exchange of correspondence.
9.1 The FLCC and SPWG will act as fora for RA to discuss with UK customers and industry the development of fixed (point-to-point) radio relay UK Interface Specifications and UK Voluntary National Specifications for use in the UK. Both are consultative committees that will determine direction on work items.
9.2 Membership of these committees is open to RA staff and members of the United Kingdom Federation of Electronics Industry (FEI).
Note – Membership: Members who do not attend for three consecutive meetings and do not offer apologies for absence are automatically removed from the membership.
10.1 The Fixed Terrestrial & Satellite Links Unit is currently developing the Fixed Link web pages, where all public domain documentation can be easily and quickly located. The full range of public domain documents will be made available as PDF files. The RA2/FTSLU web pages are available via the RA web-site at www.radio.gov.uk on the FTSLU pages under Business Units.
11.1 For further information on any aspects of fixed links specifications, channel assignments or licensing, please contact RA at the following address:
| Fixed Terrestrial and Satellite Links Unit (FTSLU) Helpdesk | |
| Radiocommunications Agency | |
| Wyndham House | |
| 189 Marsh Wall | |
| London E14 9SX | |
| Telephone:020 7211 0300 | |
| Fax: 020 7211 0507 | |
11.2 The RA Library details are as follows:
| Telephone:020 7211 0502 / 0505 | |
| Fax:020 7211 0507 | |
| RA website: www.radio.gov.uk |
| BSI | British Standards Institution |
| DISC | Delivering Information Solutions to Customers |
| EC | European Commission |
| ETSI | European Telecommunications Standards Institute |
| EU | European Union |
| FEI | Federation of Electronics Industry |
| FLCC | Fixed Links Co-ordination Committee |
| FTSLU | Fixed Terrestrial and Satellite Links Unit |
| MPT | Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications |
| NSO | National Standards Organisation |
| PCU | Personnel and Communications Unit |
| Portable Document Format | |
| PE | Public Enquiry |
| R&TTED | Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive |
| RA | Radiocommunications Agency |
| RA2 | Branch - of the RA 2 Spectrum Services Executive |
| SPWG | Specifications Working Group |
| TCT | BSI Standards Telecommunications Committee |
| TM4 | Transmission and Multiplexing Technical Sub-Committee 4 (ETSI) |
| UK | United Kingdom |
RA 358 (Rev 1)
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