ITU Working Party 4A Efficient orbit/spectrum utilization for the fixed-satellite service (FSS) and broadcasting-satellite service (BSS) meeting was held on April 13-22 in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The major study areas of Working Party 4A are orbit/spectrum efficiency, interference and coordination and related aspects for FSS and BSS. Its work has significant relevance to the preparatory work for World Radiocommunication Conferences. 276 representatives from ITU Member-States are regestered to take part in the meeting. Among then are OJSC Giprosvjaz specialists.

It is the first WP 4A meeting in 2016-2019 study period. 61 contributions from Communication Administrations and other WP were submitted. WP 4A structure was defined: the tasks are now allocated betwwen WP 4A-1 b WP 4A-2.

Current study topics include:

• Compatibility between new systems of the aeronautical radionavigation service and the existing fixed-satellite service (FSS) providing feeder uplinks for non-GSO mobile-satellite service (MSS) systems in the 5 091-5 150 MHz band.
• Assessment of the orbital-radio-frequency spectrum resource used by a GSO satellite communication system.
• Technical and operational requirements for earth stations on mobile platforms operating in non-GSO FSS systems in the frequency bands from 17.3 to 19.3,19.7 to 20.2, 27 to 29.1 and from 29.5 to 30.0 GHz.
• Assessment on use of spectrum in the 13-17 GHz band for the fixed-satellite service in Regions 2 and 3 (GSO).
• Interference effect of transmissions from earth stations on board vessels operating in fixed-satellite service networks on fixed service stations.
• Assessment on use of spectrum in the 10-17 GHz band for the fixed-satellite service in Region 1 (GSO).
• Use of very small aperture terminals (VSATs) operating in fixed satellite service networks.
• Alternative reference radiation pattern of FSS earth stations.
• Compatibility studies between the FSS and terrestrial and other space services in the 7150-7250 MHz (s-E) and 8400 – 8500 MHz (E-s) frequency bands.
• Publication of information on bringing into use of satellite networks. 28
• Size of the coordination arc for triggering coordination under RR No. 9.7 between geostationary-satellite networks.
• Examination under § 2.2 of Annex 4 of RR Appendix 30B (Grid points at locations with low satellite antenna gain).
• Development of EPFD validation software in accordance with Recommendation ITU-R S.1503-1.
• Technical criteria used in application of RR No. 9.41 in respect of coordination under RR No. 9.7.
• Earth stations on mobile platforms operating in geostationary fixed-satellite service networks in the 17.3 to 30.0 GHz band.