The CEPT, an internationally recognised regional cooperation structure, groups together the administrations of 46 countries in the European geographical area which work together, in particular on frequency issues.
The Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) of the CEPT, in which the ANFR defends the French position, groups together European frequency expertise on spectrum. It has three main objectives:
- To harmonise the spectrum use conditions in Europe within the boundaries defined by the ITU Radio Regulations (RR). This harmonisation is materialised by Decisions and Recommendations of which the application is not mandatory. However, France and its neighbours implement all of them with only very rare exceptions. The ECC also develops responses to mandates from the European Commission to CEPT in the framework of the Radio Spectrum Decision (Decision 676/2002/EC). The European Commission draws up mandatory European Union harmonisation decisions on the basis of such CEPT (ECC) responses To coordinate the European positions for the ITU world or regional conferences on frequencies. This coordination results in the drafting of European Common Proposals (ECP) which are submitted to the WRCs and by the definition of common European positions in the world radiocommunications conferences in which the CEPT is recognized regional organization for Europe. Consult the CEPT position for the next world conference (CMR -27).
- To contribute through these studies to the provisions applicable to radio equipment under Radio Equipment Directive. This activity is conducted in close collaboration with the ETSI which draws up relevant draft harmonised standards. https://www.etsi.org/standards/supporting-european-regulation. The ANFR contributes if needed to the work of ETSI standardisation committees.
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ECC engages itself on many cooperation agreements that facilitate interaction with European standardisation bodies (ETSI, CENELEC), European sector-based representations, other regional organisations.
To find out more: the ECC regularly publishes a newsletter.
The ECO is a permanent structure based in Denmark supporting the work of CEPT works with its expertise and organisational assistance. The ECO regularly organises workshops in which some future activities could be initiated as possible follow up.
It develops and makes available a radio spectrum coexistence simulation tool (SEAMCAT).
It develops and makes available a database on radio frequency use in Europe a which is updated by administrations.
In response to demands to access to radio spectrum submitted by the European telecommunications standardisation institute (ETSI) or by direct contributions, the administrations, alongside stakeholders within electronic communications domain and different spectrum users, CEPT (ECC) draws up voluntary harmonised spectrum use conditions made necessary by changes in technology and the seek for for better harmonisation. While facilitating harmonisation beyond the boundaries of the European Union and by covering fields that are not considered strategic at a Community level, the work of the CEPT is strongly structured by its responses to mandates from the European Commission and to demands to access to radio spectrum from the ETSI. Furthermore, various stakeholders contribute to the work of CEPT in order to draft positions for the ITU conferences.
The ECC is structured around 4 entities:
- European harmonisation (WG Frequency Management)
- Compatibility studies (WG Spectrum engineering)
- Mobile frequency harmonisation (ECC PT1 )
- World conference preparation (Conference Preparatory Group - CPG)
As a general rule, the working documents are publicly accessible.
The work programme makes it possible to view ongoing studies and harmonisation actions.
The French positions defended in these organisations are prepared by:
- either the committees on European affairs or committee on Electromagnetic compatibility (WRC preparation)
- or the assembly and conference preparation committee (CPAC) for of the conference preparation group (CPG).
The ANFR represents and defends French interests in CEPT ECC meetings.