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Doc. Com-ITU(13) 058
ComITU
Belgrade, Serbia
28-29.11.2013
Date issued:
25 November 2013
Source:
Poland
Subject:
Proposal on a mechanism of strengthening cooperation between Member States
based on the example of the 2011 Declaration on Better Use of Radio Spectrum
Password protection? (Yes/No) N
Summary: As a follow up to discussions held at the RPM, Poland would like to further the debate
Proposal on a mechanism of strengthening cooperation between Member States based on the
example of the 2011 Declaration on Better Use of Radio Spectrum.
Proposal:
For adoption.
Background:
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Background
The ITU-D has longstanding years of experience in the execution and implementation of projects in ICT
for Development. By having expertise in project development, management, monitoring and evaluation,
the ITU is well positioned to deliver ICT for Development projects to help achieve all WSIS Plan of Action
targets as well as UN Millennium Development Goals The latter one considers target 8F, aimed at
making available the benefits of modern information and communication technologies. The Millennium
Development Goals Report 2013 indicated the limited Internet bandwidth as one of the key factors
slowing down the roll out of modern communications network in developing countries.
Poland takes note of the need to seek new mechanisms and partnerships for accelerating
telecommunication and ICT development and recognizes that radio spectrum is an essential natural
resource for wireless connections and innovation. Given the the fact, that radio spectrum is a key
resource for many essential services in society, including wireless and satellite communications, radio
and television broadcasting, transportation, radiolocation, and many other applications, Poland in 2011
during its Presidency in the Council of the European Union, proposed a Ministerial declaration aimed at
better use of radio spectrum throughout the Europe.
This declaration has been agreed and adopted by no less than 35 European administrations. It basic aim
was to facilitate further cooperation in the field of use of radio spectrum, in terms of bilateral and
multilateral cooperation, in order to boost the development of wireless networks in applications and to
ensure substantial benefits for all citizens. The general idea of such high-level declaration, expressing
the mutual will to strengthen cooperation proved to be well balanced and effective.
Creating the favorable environment for further development of wireless communication services may
contribute to combat digital divide and digital exclusion. This environment can also boost the
development of robust, fast and capacious wireless telecommunications networks, which permit the
most extensive and efficient use of resources.
In case of Poland this approach proved to be effective, and adoption of the declaration led to number of
mutual agreements that has been signed with neighbouring administrations. Consequently it allowed to
clear the first digital dividend band in Poland for the rollout of IMT systems, but the scope of the
declaration is not limited to the 800 MHz band and may be still used in the future.
In our view, this proposal does not fall within the competences of ITU-R, but rather reflects art. 21 b) of
ITU’s Constitution stating that one of ITU-D functions is to promote, especially by means of partnership,
the development, expansion and operation of telecommunications networks and services, particularly in
developing countries. ITU-D should provide assistance to the interested member states and to the ITU-R,
which is the key institution in spectrum issues. Poland believes that strengthening internal cooperation
within the ITU would be beneficial for the institution and would constitute the vision of “One ITU” in
practice.
Description of the proposal
The Republic of Poland proposes that Ministerial Declaration on better use of radio spectrum, attached
to this contribution may be considered during the World Telecommunication Development Conference
(WTDC-14) as a possible basis for bilateral or multilateral declarations fostering the cooperation in the
field of radio spectrum, and may boost the development of small and large scale modern
communication networks, therefore contributing to the achievement of the WSIS Plan of Action and the
UN Millennium Goals.
The crucial factor ensuring the effective use of spectrum is efficient coordination between neighboring
countries, as well as the resolving of other regional or local frequency coordination issues. Spectrum is a
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scarce resource of borderless nature and therefore appropriate spectrum management is a key factor
for ensuring the continuous development of radio services. Moreover, the appropriate and coordinated
use of radio spectrum bands can significantly contribute to the development of worldwide economy and
ensure substantial benefits for all the citizens.
Adoption of such paper may contribute to further strengthening the cooperation within the
telecommunications organizations, and encourage countries to foster the mutual cooperation. This
altogether may bring us closer to fulfilment of the WSIS Plan of Action targets as well as UN Millennium
Development Goals.
Taking the abovementioned into consideration Poland proposes to utilize the text of the declaration
from Appendix 1 as a basis for WTDC resolution.
Financial implications for the ITU
Poland believes that implementation of this proposal would not generate additional costs for the ITU
budget.
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APPENDIX 1
Ministerial Declaration on better use of radio spectrum
We, the Ministers of the European countries and other heads of delegations, supporting the outcomes
of the Conference on “Perspectives for the development of the electronic communications market in
the EU” on 19-20 October 2011 in Warsaw:
 Taking into account the fact, that radio spectrum is a key resource for many essential services in
society, including wireless and satellite communications, radio and television broadcasting,
transportation, radiolocation, and many other applications,
 Recognizing that radio spectrum is a scarce resource and therefore appropriate spectrum
management is a key factor for ensuring the continuous development of radio services,
 Recognizing that appropriate and coordinated use of radio spectrum in certain bands can
significantly contribute to the development of the European economy and can have a strong
impact on social development,
 Recognizing the importance of radio spectrum for the purpose of providing and assuring public
security and national defense,
 Recognizing that development of new communication technologies should not have harmful
impact on services that ensure safety of life,
 Recognizing the borderless nature of the radio spectrum and taking into consideration, that
efficient coordination between neighboring countries, as well as the resolving of other regional
or local frequency coordination issues is crucial for ensuring the efficient use of spectrum,
 Noting that the usage of radio spectrum for wireless broadband communication services can
contribute to development of entire Europe,
 Aware of the rapid development of the technologies in order to ensure wireless communication
among European citizens,
 Emphasizing that the future management of radio spectrum in certain bands in a coordinated
manner across Europe can add value to this scarce resource.
Taking into account the abovementioned, we call upon ourselves to:
1. Make efforts aimed to ensure the best possible cooperation in resolving cross-border and other
local or regional frequency coordination of radio spectrum, in particular, but not limited to the
use of frequencies from the so-called digital dividend.
2. Strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in international telecommunications
organizations, such as ITU and in regional telecommunication organizations, such as CEPT and
RCC.
3. Make efforts to reach cross border coordination agreements in order to ensure that use of radio
spectrum for defense and national security purposes is neither suffering nor affecting the
development of radio services in neighboring countries.
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4. Provide appropriate radio spectrum resources for the continuous development of radio services,
including wireless and satellite services, radio and television broadcasting, transportation,
radiolocation and other applications which can significantly contribute to the development of the
European countries’ economies and to strengthening both Europe's and the European countries’
position as a world leader in Information and Communications Technologies.
5. Take actions, particularly within the ITU, as well as within regional telecommunications
organizations such as CEPT and the RCC, in order to endeavor that the results of WRC-12 will to
the greatest extent reflect findings of this Declaration.
6. Promote wireless broadband services across the Europe in order to ensure substantial benefits
for all the Europeans citizens.