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Dealing with interference and other spectrum liberalisation related issues

32. What should I do if I suffer interference (whether as a result of a licence variation or otherwise)?

Information on interference to business radio and how to report interference can be found in Related Items.

This document is being reviewed and a revised version will be published shortly .

33. How does Ofcom intend to deal with interference when considering the variation of a licence?

Ofcom intends to use spectrum quality benchmarks (SQBs) which are captured within Technical Frequency Assignment Criteria (TFAC) or, for some services, the existing coordination requirement relevant to each licence class, as a key criterion in considering whether or not to intervene.

34. How does Ofcom intend to deal with interference after a licence has been varied?

Predictions from our assignment models are not, and cannot reasonably be expected to be, absolutely precise in every case although we will use our best endeavours to be as accurate as we can. It is possible for a variation to be allowed that has a greater than predicted effect on third parties’ spectrum quality. If this happens, we will investigate and try to resolve the situation by negotiation and agreement. But, ultimately, we reserve the right, following investigation and consultation, to make further changes to your licence, possibly with immediate effect, in order to protect third parties from an unacceptable reduction in their spectrum quality.

35. Will Ofcom provide technical advice and assistance to resolve interference?

Ofcom will investigate interference and take any appropriate action to resolve the problem. Where the interference is a result of a deficiency in the victim’s own installation, Ofcom will provide advice on a commercial basis. Further details of this service are available in the document referenced at question 32.

36. How will O fcom deal with interference issues between parties in case of segmentation?

Ofcom would not normally expect to become involved in such disputes. It will be up to the parties to the agreement to resolve any issues between themselves. Ofcom would become involved only if third parties were affected.

37. What monitoring data will be provided by Ofcom?

Ofcom’s monitoring unit based at Baldock has manual and automated monitoring capabilities. Specific bands may be monitored for signal activity and signal level before or after change of use. Manual monitoring is carried out by mobile laboratories, one of which is UKAS accredited, within the frequency range 9 kHz to 50 GHz. Automated monitoring uses a network of 30 unattended monitoring stations in urban locations to gather data on programmed sections of spectrum. This allows channel occupancy and signal level profiles for individual channels to be derived. The systems are currently optimised for PBR bands below 1 GHz. Remote monitoring and direction finding uses a further network of 13 remote stations that operates primarily as an interference monitoring and tracing tool and may also be configured to monitor frequency bands between 20 MHz and 3 GHz. Reports show signal activity in terms of level and occupancy against frequency, typically for 24 hour periods. Ofcom is considering making monitoring reports available on the Ofcom website in html or pfd formats.

It should be noted that interpretation of monitoring data is complex and usually requires a degree of technical expertise. Ofcom provides data in good faith but does not accept responsibility for the use made of them. Before using the data, you should take technical advice from a suitably qualified person.

38. Does Ofcom take receiver performance into account?

Ofcom does not impose standards of receiver performance beyond the requirements of The Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations 2000 for radio equipment to be constructed to use spectrum effectively and avoid harmful interference. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure that receiver performance is adequate to provide the desired quality of service.

39. Does Ofcom assume a receiver performance level for its assignment?

Ofcom assumes a certain level of receiver performance that reflects international standards when deciding whether a given level of interference is excessive or may reasonably be expected to be tolerated. Ofcom will keep these assumptions about the appropriate level of receiver performance under review. When planning point to point terrestrial links, Ofcom already considers receiver characteristics as documented in the relevant TFAC. Ofcom publishes its assumptions on receiver performance as part of the relevant Radio Interface Requirement. These can be found at the Spectrum Licensing Portal - see Related Items.

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