For Traficom, international cooperation is everyday life and our role in the international and EU level cooperation of our administration is significant. In the role of the national frequency administration, we do a lot of international work related to the use of frequencies and radio equipment, enabling future uses, and the functionality and development of communication networks.
The international work related to the use of frequencies aims at harmonising the use of frequencies. The international harmonization of the use of frequencies enables a broad radio equipment market and thereby more affordable equipment prices for end users. With harmonisation, the use of frequencies becomes efficient and the use of radio equipment also becomes smoother. With extensive international harmonisation, we can use, for example, the same smart devices when travelling from one country or continent to another. This type of harmonisation requires a global agreement on the use of frequencies and the related terms.
An essential part of international frequency work is also agreeing on common procedures and preconditions in situations where the way frequencies are used differs from country to continent. This supports the uninterrupted use of frequencies as much as possible and enables the development of communication networks and services also in accordance with national needs. The use of frequencies is largely based on the rules and conditions of use jointly agreed in Europe or the world. The common thread in the work is the prevention of radio interference and functioning radio systems, which enable the progress of digitalisation.
International frequency cooperation is carried out in several different forums
International work is done in international organisations and directly between the governments of different countries. One-to-one cooperation and coordination of frequency use with the administrations of neighbouring countries is often a prerequisite for the availability of sufficiently interference-free frequencies.
The starting points of our international work are:
- international work is carried out by implementing jointly defined goals
- we make an impact in the right places in the right way at the right time
- we work together with stakeholders and customers, aiming for the best for Finland.
National legislation is often based on international obligations and agreements. Traficom participates as Finland's representative in international work on many forums. Forums that are important in frequency matters include, for example, The International Telecommunication Union, The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations and especially its electronic communications committee European Communications Committee as well as North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO. Additionally, Traficom acts as an expert or representative in several groups of EU institutions, such as the Radio Spectrum Policy Group and the Radio Spectrum Committee. European radio equipment standards are drawn up in ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute), whose activities we follow and, if necessary, influence.
We work together with stakeholders and customers, aiming for the best for Finland. Traficom promotes the development and goals of the entire Finnish radio communication sector, and our stakeholders are key influencers in setting Finland's goals. The Ministry of Transport and Communications, which controls Traficom, is a key participant in the work. Our most important stakeholders include Finnish companies, research institutes and other authorities. Cooperation with stakeholders is key to identifying and anticipating the demand of radio communication frequencies in Finnish society and business. Supported by good national cooperation, Traficom also promotes the opportunities for Finnish companies to succeed in the international market with its international frequency work.
The national hearings are published in the agency's online service. Requests for comments are also sent to separate stakeholder mailing lists, which are open to all interested parties.
The use of frequencies is agreed globally in the International Telecommunication Union under the UN
The task of the radio sector of the International Telecommunication Union, ITU-R, is, among other things, to ensure the appropriate, fair, efficient and economical use of the radio frequency spectrum in all radio communication services - including services using satellite orbits - and to carry out studies and make recommendations on radio communication matters.
The highest international body that decides on radio frequencies is the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), which is organized every 3 to 4 years. The decisions of the WRC are gathered in the ITU's Radio Regulations. The Radio Regulations are international law in terms of importance and are legally binding to all ITU member countries. In addition to frequency division, it also defines several procedures and conditions of use related to radio frequencies.
Traficom follows ITU’s coordination, notification and recording procedure to make sure that the frequencies intended, for example, for the satellite system, do not interfere with other radio systems and that they comply with ITU’s Radio Regulations and national frequency use.
European cooperation ensures the interoperability of frequency use
The European Telecommunications Union's electronic communications committee CEPT/ECC develops common European rules and recommendations for the use of frequencies and the use of satellite orbits.
ECC makes reports on the use of frequencies as a basis for the European Commission's harmonisation decisions. ECC also prepares joint European presentations for the World Radiocommunication Conference.
Our role in EU cooperation is significant
The EU's Radio Spectrum Policy Group RSPG is a high-level advisory group that assists the European Commission in the development of radio frequency policy. The RSPG issues statements, positions and reports with the purpose of assisting and advising the Commission at a strategic level on the following issues:
- radio frequency policy issues
- in coordinating political positions
- if necessary, to harmonise the conditions regarding the availability and efficient use of radio frequencies when it is a prerequisite for the creation of a functioning internal market.
Finland is represented in the RSPG by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, supported by Traficom. Traficom represents Finland in many RSPG subgroups. RSPG's key work topics include the 6G vision, WRC and strategic frequency issues.
The EU Radio Spectrum Committee RSC is responsible for the specific technical measures needed to implement the European radio spectrum policy. The RSC assists the Commission in the preparation of technical implementing decisions to ensure uniform conditions for the availability and efficient use of radio frequencies across Europe. RSC works closely with the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT). The Commission may give CEPT commissions to develop technical implementing measures to ensure uniform conditions for the availability and efficient use of radio frequencies.
All radio equipment sold in the EU area is covered by the EU Radio Equipment Directive. Traficom monitors the compliance with the requirements of radio equipment sold on the Finnish market. To ensure that items of radio equipment do not cause interference to each other, the equipment must meet the applicable requirements set in the EU. Traficom plays an active role in EU forums related to market surveillance of radio equipment, such as the Telecommunication Conformity Assessment and Market Surveillance Committee TCAM.
Finland as a part of NATO
The availability of the frequency resource is a prerequisite for operation in all the exercises and operational activities of NATO. Frequency management is the national responsibility of the member countries, and Traficom is responsible for coordinating civil and military frequencies. The goal is to secure both uses and ensure uninterrupted operation, and Traficom does this work in good cooperation with the Finnish Defence Forces. As a member of NATO, Traficom also participates in NATO's frequency work. Even in NATO, the planning of frequencies aims at harmonisation, i.e. uniform use of frequencies. NATO's frequency work is carried out in the Civil/Military Spectrum Capability Panel Cap3 group, which meets in a dual composition in cooperation between civil and military authorities. The Cap3 Civ/Mil composition is the competent body in NATO that deals with the use of frequencies, instructs and makes decisions, in which Traficom participates together with the Defence Forces.
Go back to the page “Radio frequencies now and in the future" (External link)