Missions
The National frequency agency prepares, coordinates and defends French positions within the international bodies that cover frequency policy and harmonisation over the entire spectrum.
Harmonisation at the international level is an essential prerequisite for the transnational use of frequencies (particularly in the maritime, aeronautical and space sectors) for both commercial and government applications. Indeed, frequencies propagate and cannot be confined within our borders: every sovereign country has the right to fair access to the frequency spectrum. In addition, there is a growing need for harmonisation across all sectors, in order to benefit from economies of scale and facilitate the free movement of equipment.
The ANFR is involved in the preparation of the World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC ) which, every 3 to 4 years, revise the Radio Regulations (RR), the treaty between the Member States of the International Telecommunication Union, the first deliverable generating rights in the field of frequencies. It is also involved in the various Study commissions in the Radiocommunications sector.
At the European level, the ANFR contributes to the harmonisation of the frequency use conditions within the countries of the European Union and the European geographical area (CEPT) and to the preparation of European positions for world conferences.
The Agency is involved in the following areas:
- The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT), which adopts the European frequency assignment table and conducts studies to define the technical conditions for frequency use. It coordinates the European positions at the ITU-R, in particular for WRCs.
- Within the framework defined by the Radio Spectrum Decision, the European Union defines the strategic orientations and seeks the progressive harmonisation of the spectrum. It also defines EU positions for World Radiocommunication Conferences on certain items on their agenda. The ANFR defends the French position within the Spectrum Decision Monitoring Committee (RSCOM ) and the European Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG), which advises the European Commission on radio spectrum strategies.
- The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) , which, among other things, produces standards to ensure the conformity of radio equipment. The ANFR occasionally takes action to ensure consistency between radio standards and regulations, and to support the work of national companies in this field.
The ANFR negotiates border coordination agreements with its European neighbours to prevent interference with neighbouring countries and optimise spectrum use.
Finally, the ANFR is in charge of drawing up and updating the national frequency band assignment table (TNRBF).