Business Review 1996/1997

Managing the Spectrum

Fixed Services

Demand for new fixed links was buoyant during 1996. It is expected that this trend will continue into future years as telecommunications operators commission terrestrial fixed point-to-point links to create, expand and complete their network infrastructures.

A study into the growth in demand for fixed radio services was initiated and indications of the anticipated annual growth are shown in Table 4 (Following).

Some 270 fixed links are currently assigned each month, a significant increase on previous periods, and the re-titled Fixed Links Unit (FLU) has endeavoured to keep application turn-around times to a minimum.

Performance targets have been set and further refinements are being discussed in respect of co-ordination and clearance procedures. The objective of the unit remains to steadily enhance the interface with customers and to introduce a proactive rather than largely reactive response to market demands. Table 3 details the total number of fixed links and scanning telemetry stations licensed as at 31March 1997.

Plans for a rolling programme (MIGTECH) transferring all millimetric and microwave fixed services frequency bands to the unit's new computerised assignment tool (FISCAL) are well advanced. The migration from the existing system is scheduled to be fully completed in early 1999. This new computerised system will directly support the Agency's unified licensing system (RULES) and the combined tools are essential to the achievement of future plans to further improve the quality of service provided to customers.

The unit has put considerable effort into clearing the way for the launch of radio fixed access (RFA) systems to provide additional competition to the established operators. Atlantic Telecommunications Ltd has been licensed to operate services in the Strathclyde area in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. Discussions have also continued on the arrangements necessary to permit Liberty's RFA networks to co-exist with operators of fixed and fixed satellite systems. In the case of the 2 and 10 GHz bands, several of the successful applicants are now operating trials prior to the future launch of commercial services.

Despite some increased interest, applications for Scanning Telemetry systems are still below the potential requirements of the power and water industries given the continental UHF interference problem. The introduction of new technologies such as TETRA (Trans European Trunk Radio Access) will be taken into account in deciding the long-term solution.

The Microwave Fixed Link and Satellite Committee (MFLSC) has met twice and considered the issues and developments affecting the fixed services community. In addition, the Fixed Services Newsletter has provided updates on issues of interest to the fixed links sector.

Proposals for administrative pricing of fixed links spectrum have been discussed within a voluntary sub-group of the MFLSC membership. The deliberations of the group will be reflected in a further consultative document on implementing spectrum pricing to be published in mid 1997.

The Fixed Links Unit has played an active and leading role on the international scene, including CEPT and ITU-R fora, with continuing valuable support and inputs from the industry, in particular the major PTOs. Preparation of the channel plans and related sharing studies has continued within Working Groups in preparation for the Harmonised European Allocation Table for the frequency range 3.4 - 105 GHz, which is to be implemented by 2008.

Preparations for the World Radiocommunications Conference in 1997 are underway and the Fixed Link Unit is actively participating in all the relevant international committees to present and protect the spectrum requirements of the fixed services sector against the demands of competing services.

TABLE 4: ANNUAL GROWTH OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS
FOR SCANNING TELEMETRY AND FIXED LINKS

Other developments in fixed services bands have included:

  Implementation of a migration strategy in relation to the 1.5 and 23 GHz bands.

  Continued demand for the 30.00 - 31.80 GHz band for security video use.

  Steadily rising demand from an expanding range of users for fixed links in both the 22 and 38 GHz bands.

  Announcement of access to 2 x 60 MHz of spectrum at 4 GHz towards the end of 1997.

  To increase the fixed services spectrum available for private users, discussions have continued with those operators who currently exclusively manage frequency bands to bring such spectrum under Agency control.

Equally:

  No manufacturer interest in producing equipment and antennas for the 54.25 - 57.2 GHz band as a result of uncertainty within CEPT and ITU as to the actual band edges due to sharing issues with the space science services.

  No interference problems reported, and the 57.20 - 58.20 GHz band continues to be uncoordinated for the present.

The Agency's fixed services staff have continued to supervise type-approval testing, but policy remains that this arrangement will be withdrawn once additional test houses have been accredited by NAMAS.

Responsibility for all type-approval policy has now been centralised within the Agency's Radio Equipment Certification Unit.

Contents