Satellite earth station co-ordination in the 28GHz band

RA Press Release - 25 October 2000

The Radiocommunications Agency is about to embark on a spectrum auction process for licensing terrestrial Broadband Fixed Wireless Access (BFWA) operators in parts of the frequency range 27.5-29.5GHz known as the 28GHz band. This band is also available in the UK for co-ordinated satellite system earth stations.

For the period from the date of this notice until 31^st March 2001 the Radiocommunications Agency will be unable to accept any national applications for co-ordinated satellite earth stations operating within the frequency ranges 28.000GHz to 28.500GHz and 29.000GHz to 29.500GHz.

For the same time period, similar restrictions will apply to international requests for the co-ordination of satellite earth stations from overseas administrations, in the frequency ranges 28.000GHz to 28.500GHz and 29.000GHz to 29.500GHz.

It is currently anticipated that the BFWA licence award process and any subsequent issues will be resolved by the end of March 2001. Therefore from 1^st April 2001 and subject to resolution of any unforeseen outstanding issues preventing the granting of BFWA licences, the restriction on co-ordination considerations will be lifted. Normal procedures for any national 28GHz band co-ordinated earth station applications will apply including co-ordination with the BFWA operators as required. International requests will be dealt with in accordance with ITU procedures on the co-ordination of services.

Notes for Editors

The Radiocommunications Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry and its main functions are:

• Formulating policy on the planning and management of the UK civil radio spectrum;
• Co-ordinating UK views and participating in international negotiations on the use of radio;
• Authorising use of radio by licensing or exemption;
• Formulating technical and operating standards for radio;
• Enforcement of legislation on the use of radio equipment and investigation of radio interference.

International radio spectrum allocations are detailed in the ITU Radio Regulations and have International Treaty status.

The frequency band 27.5-29.5GHz is allocated in the ITU Radio Regulations to both the Fixed Service and the Fixed Satellite Service (earth to space direction). Sharing of the spectrum between these two services is based upon the status of the allocations and agreed national and international technical and/or regulatory procedures.

So far as international allocations are concerned, BFWA is defined as being within the Fixed Service. The licences subject to the auction process cover the entire UK in a number of regions each containing three separate licences.

Co-ordination procedures will require the participation of both the satellite earth station operators and the final licence holders for BFWA. The BFWA licence holders will not be known until the auction and licence award processes are complete.

The Information Memorandum and other relevant documents and information regarding the BFWA 28GHz band auction can be downloaded from the Radiocommunications Agency website at http://www.radio.gov.uk.

Press Enquiries: 020 7215 5971

Out of Hours: 020 7215 5110/5600

Public Enquiries: 020 7215 0324

Textphone (for people with hearing impairments): 020 7215 6740

RA website: www.radio.gov.uk

DTI website: www.dti.gov.uk

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