15^th TRANSPORTATION WORKING GROUP
Santiago de Chile, April 19 - 23,1999

 TPT/WG/15/SE/SC/3.6a

 Third Meeting of Steering Committee on
Safe and Environment-Friendly Transportation Systems

 Review of existing projects
 Spectrum Band Issue/Ministerial Statement
USA

 ** DRAFT **

Statement of the APEC Transportation Ministers
on the
Protection of the Global Navigation Satellite System Spectrum
for all Modes of Transportation

The 1997 International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 27, to November 22, 1997. Over 2000 delegates participated, representing 131 States and several international organizations. One proposal made at WRC-97 was to provide a co-primary spectrum allocation to the mobile satellite service (MSS) in the 1559-1567 MHz segment of the 1559-1610 MHz aeronautical radionavigation/radionavigation-satellite service band used by the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The conference did not adopt the proposal, but resolved to complete a study of the potential for spectrum sharing between the GNSS and MSS before WRC-2000 so that a final decision could be made at that time.

The 1559-1610 MHz band is currently used for the Global Positioning System or GPS (operated by the United States) and the Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System or GLONASS (operated by Russia) and has been identified by the international transportation community as the sole frequency band available to support the spectrum requirements of the emerging Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS.)

We, the APEC Transportation Ministers,

recognizing the importance of maintaining and protecting the integrity of the GNSS spectrum for safety of life, environmental protection and economic applications and services, including air, marine and other modes of transportation;

noting that studies conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organization, and the Economy of the United States indicate that the worldwide sharing of the spectrum band 1559-1610 MHz, will adversely impact distress and safety of life applications and other transportation services;

acknowledging that continued safety and growth of all modes of transportation may be adversely affected if this frequency band is not protected;

noting the work required of Economies to prepare for the WRC-2000 in regard to allocation of aeronautical radio frequencies, frequency interference and its effect on such applications;

ENDORSE retention of the spectrum band 1559-1610 MHz for exclusive use by radionavigation services, and

accordingly AGREE to work to support the retention of the current allocation of the spectrum band 1559-1610 MHz for exclusive use of the aeronautical radionavigation and radionavigation-satellite services at the WRC 2000.

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