The World Radio-communication Conference (WRC-19) Regional Preparatory Group meeting and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Frequency Spectrum Management Panel (FSMP) meeting is underway at the ICAO ASIA PACIF office in Bangkok, Thailand.
ATNS delegation include communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) planning engineer, Lisa Tele (FSMP South African panel member) and Takalani Tshikalaha, senior engineer: research, operations technology (FSMP advisor) are in attendance.
The FSMP was established in 2015 to manage aeronautical frequency spectrum in order to ensure sufficient access to the resource for the provision of aeronautical CNS in an efficient and safe manner.
Tele says ATNS delegates have been participating in this forum since 2015, but were formally appointed by the Department of Transport in January 2016 as South African representative and FSMP panel members.
"ATNS delegates also participate in the other WRC-19 preparatory Forum of the National Preparatory Working Group, which is led by the South African Department of Telecommunication and Postal Services" concludes Tele. She has been appointed the civil aviation SADC Rapporteur.
The FSMP advises the ICAO Air Navigation Commission (ANC) on frequency spectrum related matters relating to implementation and coordination of CNS services.
The panel develops the ICAO Position and other material as necessary to support the update of the ITU Radio Regulations (RR) which are the international instrument governing the use of radio frequency spectrum on a worldwide basis. The RR are updated through regular ITU World Radio-communication Conferences, held every three to four years in Geneva, Switzerland.
The panel also develops and maintains the ICAO Spectrum Strategy and the ICAO Policy on Radio Frequency Spectrum, necessary to enable the advancement of technological developments and innovation, in order for aviation to efficiently manage the finite and limited frequency spectrum resource.
It also assists the ICAO Secretariat in developing input material for studies within the ITU Radio-communication Sector (ITU-R) as necessary to ensure that aeronautical interests are taken care of in the development of ITU-R Recommendations and Reports and in the development of draft solutions for an upcoming WRC.