regional meeting on mobile communications spectrum harmonization bucharest, 29 march 2012 the need...

Regional Meeting on Mobile Communications Spectrum HarmonizationBucharest, 29 March 2012

The need to harmonizespectrum for mobile

1

François Rancy

Director, Radiocommunications Bureau,

ITU

Regional Meeting on Mobile Communications Spectrum HarmonizationBucharest, 29 March 2012 2

Contents

Spectrum policy objectives and the role of ITU

Benefits of harmonization for IMT The particular situation of the

700/800 MHz bands


Spectrum Policy objectives

to meet the changing spectrum requirements of radiocommunication services, while Achieving proper balance between all these

services Keeping a stable regulatory framework

favouring long term investments in radiocommunication networks and services

Taking advantage of international harmonisation

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The role of ITU in spectrum

Establish and update the international regulations on spectrum usage (Radio Regulations, Regional Agreements)

Administer the procedures applied by Member States to aquire and maintain rights to use spectrum

Develop global standards and best practices on spectrum usage

Assist Administrations in using spectrum and deploying the most efficient radiocommunication networks

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Need to harmonize spectrum for international mobile telecommunications

Economies of scale Interoperability and roaming Spectrum efficiency Cross-border frequency

coordination

Success of GSM and 3G

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Current trends for IMT

3G is meeting growing success, with data traffic rapidly exceeding networks capacity

Historic bands (900 MHz, 1800 MHz) are in the process of refarming from 2G to 3G

The only globally harmonized bands available for 4G to resolve this situation are the 700/800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands


The particular situation of the 700/800 MHz bands


The specifics of Broadcasting

High power high tower to maximize coverage, often on top of mountains

Also maximizes interference (typically up 200 km away)

Requires careful frequency planning to avoid interference

Problem is compounded by spectrum scarcity in border areas, where populations also want to receive the services from adjacent countries

Cultural, political and social consequences

International frequency planning is required

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Spectrum Efficiency of DTV

A single analog program of Standard definition can be broadcast on one transmission channel of 8 MHz bandwidth

With latest technologies (e.g. DVB-T2 and MPEG4), the same transmission channel can broadcast one multiplex carrying up to 24 digital equivalent programs simultaneously, up to 6 in HD

Single frequency networks further increase potential capacity/spectrum efficiency

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International framework for DTV

GE-06 Agreement between the 120 countries of Europe, Middle East and Africa

GE-06 Plan provides for 7 planned frequencies in each area, hence the potential for 7 digital multiplexes in the band 470-862 MHz, free of interference

May be modified by mutual agreement between all affected countries, by applying the Plan modification procedure

Only usable without constraints after complete analog switch-off (June 2015)

Analog switch-off is coupled with a change of frequency plan: « digital switchover »

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Digital Dividend

The digital dividend is the amount of spectrum made available by the transition of analogue television to digital.

It may be used by broadcasting or mobile services, for the development of mobile broadband

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Need for harmonisation of the digital dividend

Economies of scale Interoperability and roaming Spectrum efficiency, equipment

performance Avoid interference:

Broadcasting into mobile base stations: 300 km separation required

a national decision on digital dividend allocation cannot be implemented without prior regional harmonisation

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Importance of regional harmonisation of digital dividend to avoid harmful interference

(Example of Mobile service in France interfered by Broadcasting service of neighbouring countries)


International framework for the digital dividend

WRC-07 has also allocated the band 790-862 MHz (channels 61 to 69 of the broadcasting Plan) to the Mobile Service in Europe, Africa and Middle East

WRC-12 has done the same for the band 694-790 MHz (channels 49 to 60), subject to review by WRC-15 (« second digital dividend »). This makes its future use uncertain for broadcasting.

These decisions leave the choice opened to administrations to decide to allocate any of these bands to mobile or to continue to use it for broadcasting.

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International framework for the digital dividend

The European Union has taken steps to harmonise the 800 MHz band for mobile from 2012 (« first digital dividend ») and is expected to do the same for the second digital dividend.

Implementation of these decisions will require cooperation from adjacent non-EU countries.

Eastern European countries have to rapidly take steps to avoid uncertainty on the future use of these bands and enjoy the benefits of international harmonization for 4G

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Release of the digital dividend for mobile

Release is not automatic. It requires:

Regional cooperation/coordination decisionsNational Spectrum Allocation decisionsFrequency coordination and replanning with

neighbouring countriesRefarming of existing servicesLicensing


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Transition to digital TV and availability of digital dividend

Analog television

Transitory frequency plan Target frequency plan

Digital dividend for BS

End of Analog switch-off

X% population

XX% population

Analog Television

Digital dividend for MS

Switchover

Start of Analog switch-off

Digital television


Need to coordinate frequencies

Any change of frequency plan is costly and disruptive. Even more so when it is not planned in advance.

GE-06 Plan modifications may take a long time if not properly coordinated

Social, political and financial impact Need for prior coordination of frequencies with

neighboring countries to avoid interference and disruptions.

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Digital Transition and digital dividend

Digital dividend is the output of Digital Switchover

It has to be planned together with DSO to avoid any future disruptions and associated costs

Avoiding DTV deployment in frequency bands identified for harmonised mobile service would avoid future disruptions

Planning has to be undertaken at regional level

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Digital Dividend - A national decision?

To take the decision on Digital Dividend at the national level, it is important to take harmonization/coordination measures at the international level:

Agree on a common allocation to the mobile service as part of the digital dividend

Coordinate frequencies and technical characteristics of national television assignments in the band allocated to broadcasting, to enable transition to digital broadcasting and analog switch-off, hence release of digital dividend spectrum for both mobile and broadcasting. This involves renegotiating the GE-06 Agreement

Harmonize the timing of transition from analogue to digital Resolve any remaining interference problems

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Thank you for your attention!

[email protected]

regional meeting on mobile communications spectrum harmonization bucharest, 29 march 2012 the need...

Documents

regional meeting

spectrum scarcity

mobile services

spectrum efficiency

regional agreements

itu slide

prior regional harmonisation

mobile base stations