Slide 1

Spectrum on a Budget

EDUCAUSE

October 9, 2006

Mitchell Lazarus | 703-812-0440 | lazarus@fhhlaw.com

Slide 2

Overview

Criteria for evaluating spectrum FCC licensing regimes Educational Broadband Service (formerly ITFS) LMDS, 24 GHz, 39 GHz Fixed service New unlicensed bands

expanded 5 GHz 24-24.25 GHz 57-64 GHz 92-95 GHz TV white space

Hybrid licensing schemes.

Slide 3

Introduction

Spectrum is the new real estate essential for commerce and education fixed supply – i.e., “they’re not making any more

of it” location (frequency) is everything

Well-established locations are crowded and expensive bargains are still available in less developed

areas.

Slide 4

Criteria for Evaluating Spectrum

End-user compatibility (consumer end use: Wi-Fi)

Frequency range low: better propagation and building penetration high: better directionality, smaller antennas

Degree of congestion (reduces reliability and throughput)

Cost of spectrum auction / lease / “free” license / unlicensed

Cost (and availability) of equipment worse for higher frequencies, newly authorized

bands FCC rules (power limits, service restrictions).

Slide 5

FCC Licensing Regimes

I. Exclusive license e.g., BRS/EBS, others most are now auctioned; some can be leased

II. Frequency coordination fixed microwave spectrum is free; but entrant must protect

incumbentsIII. Unlicensed operation

Wi-Fi, Bluethooth, many others spectrum is free; but some bands are congested

IV. Hybrid schemes mostly in newly authorized bands promising for reliable, low-cost implementations.

Slide 6

I. Exclusive License

Slide 7

EBS/BRS -- Background

Formerly 31 video channels at 2500-2690 MHz Educational Broadband Service (EBS)

formerly Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS), established in 1963

used to distribute educational programming Broadband Radio Service (BRS)

formerly Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS), established in 1983

used for “wireless cable” entertainment services MMDS often leased additional capacity from ITFS

• and often paid for ITFS facilities.

Slide 8

EBS/BRS – Evolution

“White space” around BRS licenses auctioned in 1995-96 Sprint now holds a majority of BRS area licenses (EBS white space still open)

Transition from video delivery to two-way broadband: 1996: data delivery 1998: two-way digital operation 2001: mobile service 2004: EBS and BRS frequencies repackaged 2006: rules for transition to new frequency plan.

Slide 9

Repackaged EBS

Three band segments: upper and lower, each: 12 5.5 MHz, 1 6

MHz, 1 4 GHz middle: 7 6 MHz (suitable for current

video service) ITFS now holding four 6 MHz channels will

receive: one 6 MHz in middle band three 5.5 MHz in lower or upper band one 1 MHz in a 4 MH band

ITFS now holding one 6 MHz channel will receive: one 6 MHz in middle or one 5.5 MHz in

lower or upper.

Slide 10

Changing EBS Operation

Incumbents are protected against interference Conversion to new frequencies will be fully funded

BRS licensees will negotiate transition Leasing of EBS spectrum is allowed

licensees must reserve 5% for their own use licensees have certain rights to recapture

spectrum.

Slide 11

EBS – Coming Developments

FCC plans to auction “white space” around EBS licenses

Only EBS eligibles may participate but EBS bidders can accept funding from

commercial interests, then lease out spectrum Auction not yet scheduled

will be offered by geographic areas may be separate channels or all channels

together.

Slide 12

LMDS, 24 GHz, 39 GHz

All underused bands: Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS)

• 27.5- 29.25, 31-31.3 GHz (auctioned 1998) 24 GHz (auctioned 2004)

• 24.25-24.45, 25.05-25.25 GHz 39 GHz (auctioned 2000)

• 38.6 - 40.0 GHz All have 10-year license terms Renewal requires “substantial service”

licensees may be amenable to educational uses.

Slide 13

II. Frequency Coordination

Slide 14

Fixed Service

Suitable for long-distance, high-speed communication among fixed points

Equipment is readily available Spectrum is free

but requires frequency coordination and license• not free -- $1-2.5K per link• newcomers must fit in among existing users

Bands (partial listing) 10.55-10.68 GHz 10.7-11.7 GHz 17.7-19.7 GHz (with gaps) 21.2-23.6 GHz.

Slide 15

III. Unlicensed Operation

Slide 16

Unlicensed Operation -- Principles

FCC sets technical rules (power, etc.) intended to minimize interference to other users

Device is FCC certified as complying with technical rules must be labeled with “FCC ID” number

Anyone may operate a certified device anywhere in U.S.

Interference rules:1. an unlicensed device must accept all interference2. an unlicensed device may not cause harmful

interference to a licensed user.

Slide 17

“Old” Unlicensed Bands

902-928 MHz shared with licensed users extremely congested

2400-2483.5 MHz Wi-Fi “b” & “g” shared with microwave ovens, cordless phones,

etc. moderately congested, getting worse fast

5725-5850 MHz Wi-Fi “a” rapidly becoming congested

Maximum power in all bands: 4+ watts most applications use only a few hundredths of a

watt.

Slide 18

“New” Unlicensed Bands

expanded 5 GHz 24-24.25 GHz 57-64 GHz 92-95 GHz TV white space (pending).

Slide 19

Expanded 5 GHz

FCC added 255 MHz to 5 GHz band tripled the band

“Dynamic frequency selection” (DFS) required to protect federal radars devices must monitor for radars, change

frequency “Transmit power control” (TPC) required

automatically reduces output power to minimum needed

Should eventually take pressure off Wi-Fi b & g.

Slide 20

24-24.25 GHz

Lightly used Maximum power for area coverage: 1/5o watt

comparable to most Wi-Fi Point-to-point operation

maximum power: 1.9 watts only in upper 80% of band suitable for multiple T-1 speeds over hundreds of

meters.

Slide 21

57-64 GHz

Lightly used band; mature technology Provides extremely high data rates

can reach multiple gigabits/second Tight antenna focus

hinders eavesdropping; improves security Maximum power: 10 watts Factors limiting range:

absorption by atmospheric oxygen high rain fade.

Slide 22

92-95 GHz

Very clean spectrum Very high data rates possible Maximum power: 10 watts But limited to indoor operation.

best regarded as experimental.

Slide 23

TV White Space (Proposed)

FCC considering unlicensed use of vacant TV channels proposes fixed and mobile applications broadcasters oppose

IEEE (standards group) recommends fixed use only e.g., for local broadband distribution IEEE-proposed interference protection:

• base station programmed for locally vacant channels

• remote stations operate only under control of base• all remotes monitor for TV signals and report to

base FCC announcement expected October 12.

Slide 24

IV. Hybrid Schemes

Slide 25

3650-3700 MHz

Every license allows nationwide use of the entire band fixed and base stations are entered in an FCC

database• new stations must protect incumbents

mobile stations require a control signal from a fixed or base station

Radios must use spectrum-sharing protocols Licensees resolve interference issues among themselves Band is under-used

commercial interests are wary of non-exclusive spectrum.

Slide 26

71-76, 81-86, 92-95 GHz

Every license allows nationwide use of any bandwidth can be used only for point-to-point

communication Licensees register links in an automated database

new links must protect earlier-registered links If harmful interference occurs, the later-registered

link must resolve it assumption: beams are narrow and will rarely

interfere.

Slide 27

Conclusion

Safe, established spectrum options are usually the most expensive

The FCC and manufacturers are working to open new bands

A willingness to innovate is the best route to reliable communications at low cost.

Slide 28

Thank you!

Mitchell Lazarus | 703-812-0440 | lazarus@fhhlaw.com