Communications for all in East Africa
THE REPORT OF THE EACO WORKSHOP ON WRC-15
OUTCOMES HELD ON 14-15 MARCH 2016 IN ARUSHA,
TANZANIA
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1
INTRODUCTION
The EACO Workshop on the outcomes of WRC-15 was held on14-15March 2016in Arusha,
Tanzania.
The objective of the workshop was to discuss the outcomes of the WRC-15
Conference held on 2-27 November 2015 in Geneva, and to plan the implementation of these
outcomes in the EAC region. The workshop also discussed the strategy for preparations for
WRC-19.
Mr. Stanley Kibe, an independent consultant in spectrum management and also a member of the
ITU Radio Regulations Board facilitated the workshop which was attended by representatives
from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, GSMA and EACO Secretariat. The full
attendance list is attached as Annex 1.
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ELECTION OF THE BUREAU
The bureau was elected as follows:
1.
Georges KWIZERA:
First Rapporteur–Rwanda
2. Gababo WAKO:
Second Rapporteur –Kenya
3. Caroline KOECH:
EACO Secretariat
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ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
The Facilitator proposed the agenda and programme for the workshop. The agenda and
programme were adopted with amendmentsasattachedin Annex 2.
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PRESENTATION ON THE RESULTS OF WRC 15
Mr. Georges Kwizerapresented the outcomes of the WRC-15 conference. The full presentation
is attached as Annex 3.
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PRESENTATION BY GSMA ON INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE ON WRC-15
OUTCOMES AND NEXT STEPS
Mr. Kamal Tamawa presented the industry perspective on WRC-15 outcomes as attached in
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Annex4.
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COUNTRY STATUS REPORTS
Countries made presentations on the status of implementation of WRC-15 outcomes. The
following is the status of implementation of WRC-15 outcomes by the different countries:
a) Burundi
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
The ARCT organized, in February 2016, the stockholders workshop on WRC-15
outcomes.
Licensing discussion of 700 MHz has started.
Update of the Frequency National Table is going on.
The ratification of the final acts is in process
For preparation of the next conference (WRC-19), appointment process of the
National Committee RC-19 is going on
Participation in ITU-R study groups (WG6 and 5D) has started.
b) Kenya
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
The Kenyan delegation to WRC-15 prepared a detailed report on the outcome of
the WRC-15 and strategies for implementation of the decisions.
The Authority convened a stakeholders’ sensitization workshop on the decisions
of World Radio-communications Conference 2015 held on the 24th February
2016.
The Authority has initiated the process of ratification of the Treaty and drafted a
Cabinet Memo, which has been submitted to the Ministry of ICT to enable start
of the ratification process by the Government.
The Authority is in the process of updating the Kenya National Table of
Frequency Allocations to incorporate the decisions of WRC-15.
The National Preparatory Committee for the next Conference in WRC-19 is
going to be convened early enough in order to begin preparation. Membership to
NPC is expected to be consistent in attendance since effective participation will
depend on familiarity with the relevant issues on agenda items.
The organisations forming the major stakeholder’s group in spectrum utilisation
are encouraged to sponsor as many technical staff as possible to participate in the
relevant ITU-R study groups and working parties in order to develop capacity,
given that the preparatory process of a WRC is an ongoing process starting with
participation in relevant ITU-R study groups and working parties.
c) Rwanda
i.
The Rwandan delegation to WRC-15 prepared a detailed report on the outcome
of the WRC-15 and strategies for implementation of the decisions. The report
was also forwarded to the Ministry of Youth and ICT
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ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
The Regulatory Authority (RURA) convened a stakeholders’ sensitization
workshop on the outcome of the World Radio-communications Conference 2015.
The aim of the workshop was to discuss about impact of WRC-15 outcome on
ICT sector in Rwanda and strategy for its implementation.
The regulatory authority has initiated a process of vacating all frequency bands
allocated to mobile broadband especially digital dividend.
The Regulatory Authority is in the process of updating the Rwanda National
Table of Frequency Allocations to incorporate the decisions of WRC-15.
The National Preparatory Committee was constituted to prepare the next World
RadiocommunicationConference(WRC-19)
d) Tanzania
Completed Activities:
i.
Presentation of WRC-15 outcomes to stakeholders.
 Formulation of National preparatory committee for the next WRC.
 Preparation of implementation roadmap for WRC-19
 Distribution of WRC-19 Agenda item to NPC members
ii.
Preparation for spectrum auction on DD2.
 Stakeholders workshop was done in May 2015.
 Formulation of Auction preparatory Committee.
 Spectrum Auction Masterclass training which included trainees from
TCRA and stakeholders.
 Development of TORs for Spectrum Auction consultant
iii. Initiation of ratification process for WRC-15 Final Acts
Activities Planned for Implementation
i.
To update the NFTA as per WRC-15 outcomes.
ii.
To develop technical operation guidelines for 3.4-3.6GHz
a. Consultations with Broadcasters and WiMAX operators on the usage of
C-band was done.
b. Stock taking of VSAT stations andWiMAX Base Stations across the
county is ongoing
iii. To continue with implementation of spectrum Auction tasks.
i. Spectrum Auction Strategy.
ii. Auctioning
iv.
To prepare coordination implementation plan with neighboring countries for
DD2
v.
To develop National Broadband Strategy
vi.
To convene a meeting with PPDR stakeholders to encourage them to use
Broadband Wireless technologies as means of communications.
vii.
Re-farming of L and C-bands which are allocated for IMT services.
e) Uganda
Completed Activities
i.
A comprehensive report on the outcomes of WRC-15 was prepared, highlighting
key conference achievements and recommended actions to be undertaken.
ii.
A proposal has been developed to follow up with WRC-19 preparation in
alignment with the respective ITU-R study groups and Working Parties.
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Activities Planned for Implementation
 To hold a stakeholders workshop by the end of March 2016
 To update the National Table of Frequency Allocation. This work has been
started.
 To prepare a DD2 spectrum assignment framework in accordance to the national
broadband strategy
 Ratification of the final Acts of WRC-15 by the cabinet
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IMPACT OF THE WRC-15 OUTCOMES IN EACO COUNTRIES
The meeting considered the outcomes of the WRC-15 meeting, its impact on EACO
membersand implementation strategies for the EAC region. The detailed document is attached
as Annex 5
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PREPARATION FOR WRC-19
The meeting deliberatedand discussed the strategy for EACO preparation for the next ITU
World Radiocommunications Conference scheduled to be held in 2019. The detailed report is
attached as Annex 6
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CLOSING
The workshop was closed by Mr. Sinzige Kisenge who thanked participants for their active
participation and urged them to follow up with the implementation of the WRC-15 in their
respective countries.
Prepared in Arusha, on 15th March 2015
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ANNEXES
Annex 1 - List of Participants
Annex 2–Programme
Annex 3 - Outcomes of the WRC-15 Conference
WRC-15
OUTCOME.pptx
Annex 4 – GSMA Presentation
GSMA Presentation
on WRC outcome and next steps.pdf
Annex 5 - Impact of the WRC-15 Outcomes in EACO Countries
Annex6 – Strategy for Preparation for the WRC -19
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