Technical Sub-Group Report

Date: 12th February 2001

Title: Technical Subgroup Report.

Source: BFWAtg

Objectives: To inform the Consultative Group on the work of Technical Subgroup

Contact: DTI Radiocommunications Agency UK
Tel: 0207 211 0313
Fax: 0207 211 0115

Technical Subgroup Report.

Introduction

The BFWA Technical Subgroup held its ninth meeting on 9th February 2001. Several substantive items were dealt with during that meeting and this report has been drafted in order to update and inform the Consultative Group on the status of the work of the group.

28GHz Band

In order to underpin the licensing activity in this band, the ninth meeting considered the first draft of an Interface Requirement for Point to Point systems that may be used in the spectrum licensed for BFWA for either self provision of BFWA infra-structure or for providing customer access. Subject to a two week period following the meeting for comment, this was approved for submission to the EU notification process. (NOTE: The equivalent for P-MP/MP systems was submitted to the EU process in early December 2000). (Docs: BFWAtg(01)03 and (00)42rev.2)

The "Inter-Operator Coexistence and Co-ordination Guidelines" document referred to in the BFWA licences, was also agreed, subject to a short opportunity for comment prior to publication by the RA. (See BFWAtg(00)47 Rev 4). These guidelines are fully consistent with the work of the international bodies that have been considering these issues.

40GHz Band

The Technical Subgroup has been tracking activities in Europe and elsewhere with regard to equipment/antenna standards and frequency planning guidelines for the band. Following persistent work by some members of the BFWAtg , these activities are reaching a mature and stable draft situation and it is fully expected that the resulting documents will begin their respective approval processes in the spring 2001.

Frequency Planning Guidelines

The frequency planning guidelines under development within CEPT (PT-SE19) have been pursued by an enthusiastic set of core members. These guidelines break new ground for CEPT Fixed Service frequency plans providing the flexibility through block assignments to allow for numerous MWS technologies. Additionally the plans include provisions to allow operators to deploy with the minimum of inter-operator co-ordination. Based on block assignments with a minimum resolution of 1MHz, there is flexibility to allow for any reasonable size of assignment irrespective, as far as practicable, of the technology anticipated. (See BFWAtg(00)14rev4).

MWS Equipment Standards

Completion of the frequency planning guidelines will enable completion of the complementary ETSI TM4 work item for an equipment standard for MWS in the 40GHz band. Continuing the theme of flexibility, this standard addresses only the equipment issues that are important to coexistence between MWS systems and remains agnostic about the precise technology. (See BFWAtg(00)08 rev2).

Radio-Astronomy in the 42.5-43.5GHz Band

A detailed presentation was given at the ninth meeting by Transfinite who carried out project work on behalf of the Agency to examine the possibilities for sharing between BFWA operation and the Radio Astronomy (RA) service in this part of the 40GHz band. The work concludes that the 50km exclusion zones assumed to date (based on ERC Report 36) are insufficient to fully protect the RA service. The work then examines other methodologies that might be employed to improve the situation whilst retaining the acceptable level of protection to the RA. This work will be pursued through the appropriate national and international bodies culminating in contributions to the agenda item at the next WRC.
(See BFWAtg(01)01,02 and 04).

Air Interface Standards

Whilst work continues in ETSI BRAN with standardisation for HIPERACCESS the IEEE802.16 Standards body has issued a stable draft air interface standard covering Broadband Fixed Wireless Access equipment for use in the frequency range 10-66GHz. This stable draft has now proceeded along the approval route and is currently undergoing a working group vote prior to dissemination to a wider audience. Assuming the voting processes go smoothly, the standard could be published during the third quarter of this year.

In Conclusion

The Technical Subgroup views the above developments as key to future use of the 40GHz band for MWS. The first two items provide a balance between a "harmonised" approach to the use of the band whilst retaining flexibility to cope with the uncertainty regarding successful MWS. They facilitate an evolutionary approach to band planning and spectrum management that can be integrated into a wider reaching development of strategy for use of the band.

The air interface standard could bring some focus to the area of BFWA which is currently being confused by excessive use of the word broadband to describe other Fixed Wireless Access schemes in both licensed and license-exempt spectrum.

In order for the Technical Subgroup to continue its work and further develop these ideas a clear plan for the licensing process in the UK is required.