Resultaten WRC-23 (van site APWPT)

Results WRC-23 (World Radiocommunication Conference)

The 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) in Dubai is over. Several Board members and many members of the APWPT were there. They have for securing the frequencies for SAP/SAB = PMSE (i.e. wireless microphones for microphones for culture, event productions, journalism, etc., in-ear systems for concerts, etc.). With some success!

This was the position of the APWPT formulated before the WRC:

“It must be ensured that broadcasting, education, art, media, film, culture and event production can use sufficiently interference-free frequencies between 470 and 694 MHz on a permanent basis.  

We therefore strongly advocate the retention of the existing and proven system and advocate a no-change for the use of 470 – 694 MHz at WRC23.”

The WRC does not decide on specific uses. That will now be decided by the individual states. But the WRC decides on allocations, i.e. the framework within which uses are allowed.

The following now applies to Europe:

PMSE still has an allocation as a secondary user for the band between band between 470 and 694 MHz. Broadcasting remains the sole primary user. This means that the proven and existing system will be retained. However, the conference allowed other secondary users – in addition to PMSE – to enter the band. Whether and in what way this will happen will be clarified soon.

The individual countries will now clarify whether and how this will happen. New secondary users must not interfere with broadcasting as a primary user. There are not allowed to interfere with broadcasting. We as PMSE certainly do not interfere with broadcasting. Therefore we are safe.

So our work remains important. We have to make sure that – as demand increases – we can continue to use sufficient frequencies between 470 and 694 (in some countries: 698 MHz). The situation for this is good and has been consolidated by the conference. This is because the famous footnote 5.296, which safeguards PMSE, was not only retained, but also signed by four signed by four more countries. That is good. Now 89 countries in our world region (Europe, Africa, Arabia, Russia) support PMSE.

For some countries, it has been made possible for mobile radio to have use, but only in the 614 – 694 MHz range and only if it does not interfere with broadcasting. This applies in: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Syrian Arab Republic, as well as Gambia, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, Tanzania and Chad.