Plan for work of the SMTF with focus on the following thematic areas:
- RFAT (Harmonisation of Priority Bands: IMT and Emergency Communications)
- Cross-Border Interference
- Emergency Communications
- Spectrum Pricing
- WRC-19 Review and Plans for WRC-23
| Thematic Area | Initiative | Comments | Time Frame | Lead |
| Regional Frequency Allocation Table (RFAT) | Collation of National FATs in requested format at central location (CTU). | National FAT updates are in train in some jurisdictions and across-the-board changes are required following WRC-19. Jurisdictions to ensure that their current NFATs are communicated to the CTU Secretariat. Countries to indicate plans for allocation and NFAT in general by providing updates as required | Q4 2020 Ongoing | SMTF Members SMTF Members |
| Population of a software database with NFAT data from each jurisdiction | Research and recommend database software appropriate to this application Plan and undertake database population work based on software recommendation and data availability | Q2 2020 Q2 – Q3 2020 | SMA Jamaica CTU Secretariat | |
| Harmonisation of priority bands. | Identification of priority IMT bands for harmonisation Receipt and consideration of harmonisation proposals Assessment of regional bands for regional authorisation (e.g. Auction) | Q1 – Q2 2020 Q2 – Q3 2020 Q4 2020 | SMTF Members SMTF Chair SMTF Chair | |
| Cross-Border Interference | Focal Contact Points | To identify annually and as required, contact info for functional/technical and higher level (Ministerial) coordinators/ key contacts Compile list of the contacts received and those outstanding for general reference; post on a special SMTF partition on the CTU web site Obtain focal points for Cuba, Haiti & Dominican Republic | March 31st 2020 (Technical/Functional; higher level) Q2 2020 Mar 2020 | SMTF Members CTU Secretariat CTU Secretariat |
| Frequency Registration | Seize opportunities for capacity building and practice on frequency reporting | Ongoing | SMTF Members | |
| Frequency Coordination | Formulate a proposal to ITU for an appropriate new regional coordination exercise | Q2 2020 | CTU Secretariat | |
| Coordination Agreements | Sample agreements to be circulated | Mar 2020 & ongoing | SMTF Members | |
| Emergency Communications | Focal contact points for emergency communications | Need to clarify and coordinate relevant activities with CITEL Reach out to CTU member states beyond Task Force/ Steering Committee members for contacts Post contact list on a new SMTF partition on CTU web site | Q1 2020 Q2 – Q3 2020 Q3 2020 | CTU Secretariat |
| Accession to the Tampere Convention | Encourage universal sign on to Tampere Convention. Awareness campaign. (Concerns of potential signatories to be addressed; CTU may be most suitable to execute this initiative) Advocate for Caribbean countries to accede to Tampere Convention Foster coordination among CDEMA and stakeholders like CANTO. SMTF members to work with local Disaster Management offices to promote initiative Raise the need for coordination amongst CTU, CDEMA and CANTO at Ministerial meetings. [Follow up on CDEMA Synergy conference] | Q1 2020 & Ongoing Q2 – Q4 2020 Q1 – Q4 2020 Q2 – Q4 2020 Q1 – Q3 2020 | CTU Secretariat SMTF members CTU Secretariat SMTF members CTU Secretariat | |
| Adoption of IARP | Foster universal acceptance and adoption of IARP via an awareness campaign. Call on Caribbean countries to accede to amended IARP convention, which is open for signing at the OAS. Accession to the amendment to the IARP Convention and Tampere Convention to be raised at CTU Ministerial meetings | Q1 2020 & ongoing Q2 – Q4 2020 Q1 – Q3 2020 | IARU and CTU Secretariat IARU, CTU Secretariat, SMTF Members CTU Secretariat | |
| Harmonisation of Band Plans for Emergency Communications | Establish list of bands used in each jurisdiction (To be used to inform international/regional agencies); Examine bands available and make harmonisation recommendations accordingly. | Q1 – Q2 2020 Q2 – Q3 2020 | ECTEL | |
| Network Resilience | Establish best practice policy recommendations for network resilience for regulators to develop country policies. Circulate recommendations of the CCCR to SMTF for consideration | Q2 2020 | CTU Secretariat | |
| Spectrum Pricing | Reassessment of spectrum pricing actions proposed in Strategic Plan 2016-2018 | Review pricing thrusts from Strategic Plan Agree revised strategic thrusts and determine specific actions to be taken in 2020 | Feb – May 2020 Q2 2020 | SMTF Members SMTF Chair |
| Fostering common pricing guidance for advice to regional regulators | Regulators to share current pricing methodologies Consider appropriate interim pricing arrangements for emerging broadband mobile and satellite applications, e.g. 5G, HAPS & LEO services. Capacity building seminar(s) and activities. Explore possible capacity training opportunities through the ITU BR. | Feb – May 2020 Q2 – Q4 2020 Q2 – Q4 2020 | SMTF Members SMTF Chair CTU Secretariat | |
| WRC-19 Outcomes and Implications | Identifying lessons learnt and determining planning focus for the future | Feedback/reports from WRC-19 attendeesGroup discussions and proposals for effective future actionsSchedules for NFAT updates per WRC-19 outcomesApproach for WRC-23 preparations | Feb – May 2020 May 2020 May 2020 Q2 – Q4 2020 | CTU Secretariat / SMTF Chairman / SMTF Members |
