By Roja Kiran Basukala Assistant Director Nepal Telecommunications Authority
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The set of radio frequencies. Subset of the electromagnetic waves lying between the frequencies from 9 kHz to 300 GHz. Important to economic and social development. Support a wide range of business, personal, industrial, scientific, medical research and cultural activities, both public and private.
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Radio frequencies have different propagation characteristics:
Lower the frequency
Longer the distance for propagation but with lower data-carrying capacity
Higher the frequency
Shorter the distance for propagation but with higher data-carrying capacity
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A band is a small section of the spectrum of radio communication frequencies, in which channels are usually used or set aside for a specific purpose.
The ITU radio bands are defined in the ITU Radio Regulations
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An international organization within the United Nations system based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Responsible for Telecommunications matters over the globe, in this regard it is also responsible for global regulations for all radio uses. For regulating the use of radio, the RadioRegulations have been developed.
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Combination of administrative, scientific and technical procedures necessary to ensure the efficient operation of radio communication equipment and services without causing harmful interference.
Overall process of regulating and administrating use of the radio frequency spectrum
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Economic Objectives
Spectrum should be divided in such a way that the benefits to the economy at large from an additional amount of assigned spectrum are the same in each use.
Market based approaches such as auctions and spectrum trading are viewed as superior ways of achieving economic efficiency in assignment than administered methods.
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Technical Objectives
Technically efficient spectrum use commends itself as a self-explanatory benefit. Technical efficiency may rationally count as the leading factor in spectrum allocation decisions. Applying the matter in practice, however, can bring competing policy goals into play. Occupancy and data rate are two measures used in determining, how efficiently certain assigned frequencies are being used by services and users.
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A successful spectrum management activity will result in the efficient use of the spectrum and compatibility with international systems and standards.
Telecommunication services are contributing in the countrys economy and mostly telecommunication services rely on radio spectrum.
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An Allotment is an entry of a designated frequency channel in an agreed plan, adopted by a competent conference, for use by one or more administrations for a terrestrial or space radio communication service in one or more identified countries or geographical areas and under specified conditions.
An allotment then is a distribution of frequencies to geographical areas or countries.
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The highest decision making body in international spectrum management Changes the Radio Regulations:
Makes new allocations to accommodate emerging services Modifies administrative and operational procedures Adopts Resolutions/Recommendations on radio communications
Takes place every 3 4 years Participants National administrations, telecom operators,
industry, other international organizations
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The key regulatory documents Recognized as an International Treaty Set a framework for the National Regulatory Authorities to license radio users Comprise of
World-wide Table of Frequency Allocations Definition of services (e.g. Fixed, Mobile-satellite) Technical constraints (Power limits etc.) International registration / co-ordination procedures
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The world is divided into 3 Administrative Regions by ITU for the allocation of frequencies.
In adjacent Regions or sub-Regions, a band of frequencies is allocated to different services of the same category, the basic principle is the equality of right to operate. Accordingly, the stations of each service in one Region or sub-Region must operates as not to cause harmful interference to any service of the same or higher category in the other Regions or sub-Regions.
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Involves the allocation of portions of the frequency spectrum to specified uses in accordance with international agreements, technical characteristics and potential use of different parts of the spectrum, and national priorities and policies.
Frequency should plan in such a way that it satisfies long term needs of countries in frequencies.
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An Allocation is an entry in the Table of Frequency Allocations of a given frequency band for the purpose of its use by one or more terrestrial or space radio communication services or the Radio astronomy service under specified conditions.
An allocation then is a distribution frequencies to radio services.
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Consistency with International Allocation agreements to ensure comparable costs and service integration.
Emphasis on technology neutrality combined with continued diligence in eliminating harmful interference. Protection of frequency use and freedom from harmful interference in subbands allocated for public safety and security
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Article 5 of Radio Regulations contains the Frequency Allocations. For the allocation of frequencies the world has been divided into three Regions
Allocation of frequencies from 9 kHz to 1000 GHz has been provided in Radio Regulations for all three Regions.
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No one may transmit:
Frequencies reserved for radio astronomy to avoid interference at radio telescopes.
Anyone may transmit
They respect certain transmission power and other limits:
Open spectrum bands such as the unlicensed ISM bands
Only the licensed user of that band may transmit:
The licensing body may give the same frequency to several users as a form of frequency reuse if they cannot interfere
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1710-1980 MHz
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The heading of the Table includes three columns each of which corresponds to one of the three region.
The frequency band refer to in each allocation is indicated in the left hand top corner of the part of the table concerned. Services are listed according to the category specified in Articles 5.25 & 5.26, i.e; services with name printed in capital are called primary services (eg. FIXED) whereas the name which are printed in normal characters are called secondary services (eg. Mobile).
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Footnotes often specify additional conditions for the use.
The footnotes against each allocation in the table are provided along with the table in Article 5 of RR.
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ITU Member States usually follow the International frequency allocation of ITU as defined in Radio Regulations for their Region.
However, every country has its own National Frequency Allocation Table (NFAT) with some exceptions which are defined in national footnotes in the NFAT.
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ITU has established general rules & regulations regarding international spectrum allocation and spectrum management.
Taking into account these international regulations, each member nation creates its own legislation and relevant rules and regulations to accommodate its national radio communication infrastructure and goals.
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An integral component of spectrum management is the ability to store, maintain and access information about each individual communications system.
Spectrum management data can be handled most efficiently when an automated database management system is used. This database enables the governing agency to conduct various engineering and managerial analysis.
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Licensing, Assignment and Administration are the processes involved in granting authority for use of the radio spectrum to individual users. Frequency Assignment is the technical exercise undertaken to provide a discrete operating channel for a user. It is a decision making process in which the applicant lists a number of requirements such as type of service, geographic location, area of operation, preferred frequency band etc. and the frequency assigned then applies defined processes to select a suitable channel.
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Frequency Coordination is about establishing that, a radio service can operate without harmful mutual interference with existing and future planned radio services in its area of operation
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An Assignment is an authorization given by an administration for a radio station to use a radio frequency or radio frequency channel under specified conditions.
An assignment then is a distribution of a frequency or frequencies to a given radio station. Assignment involves assigning and licensing of frequencies to systems and individual services
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Frequency assignment process involves following steps:
Dialogue between applicant and Administration Search for a short list of potential assignment Coordination with foreign frequency assignments Assignment of frequencies and issue of license International registration of frequency assignments Action after the assignments have been taken into use, and monitoring
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Without effective enforcement procedures, the integrity of the spectrum management process can be compromised.
The ability of an Administration to enforce established rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of radio communication systems is clearly dependent upon both an effective spectrum management system and an integrated spectrum monitoring system.
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Spectrum Planning and Authorization are central functions supported by spectrum monitoring.
Monitoring supplies information used in determining compliance with rules and regulation, such as license conditions, and in achieving compliance with technical and operational standards.
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Observe the appropriate technical parameters and operating conditions stated in the transmitter license to prevent co-located radio communication system from producing mutual interference.
Identify transmitter to interdict its operation or provide the necessary assistance to eliminate the problem
Transmitter operates without a license Transmitter ignores license stipulations such as frequency, output power, bandwidth, etc Transmitter causes interference to other services due to technical faults or deviation from the technical parameters given in the license.
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Without effective enforcement procedures, the integrity of the spectrum management process can be compromised.
The ability of an Administration to enforce established rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of radio communication systems is clearly dependent upon both an effective spectrum management system and an integrated spectrum monitoring system.
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Functions
Resolves complaints regarding:
Spectrum use Public safety Technical issues such as interference Tower registration Marking and lighting Equipment requirements Unauthorized construction or operation Compliance with operational provisions of licenses.
Provides engineering technology support to the management.
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The radio spectrum does not just appear as bands and subbands: These are man made constructs that have been engineered into being because such sub-division fitted a market need and made sound engineering sense. Spectrum engineering The set of activities that go together to permit decisions to be taken and policy to be developed. Assists in determining the proper frequency band for proposed equipment and applicable standards. Plays a key role in testing to ensure that equipment meets specifications for electromagnetic compatibility and radiation hazards criteria.
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Spectrum engineering involves:
Band planning Spectrum re-farming Cross border coordination Development of cross border agreements on spectrum use Spectrum modeling and simulation
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Telecommunications Act, 1997
Nepal Telecommunications Authority Radio Frequency Policy Determination Committee
Radio Communications Act, 1992 Telecommunications Service Radio Frequency (Distribution and Pricing Related) Policy, 2011 Telecommunications Service Radio Frequency (Distribution and Pricing Related) Policy, 2012
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Auction as a method for determining the spectrum prices through market mechanism Technology Neutral Prohibition on spectrum trading , Spectrum Refarming based on regional and international best practices Regular R&D on new technology spectrum allocation and assignment Spectrum Monitoring Spectrum capping Spectrum required for migration into unified licensing regime introduced through basic telephone service ensured , Ensure level playing field for existing voice operators through basic telephone service Spectrum Allocation and Assignment of new services and technologies Allocate spectrum for emergency telecommunication management Allocation of Digital dividend band for mobile broadband based on international best practices Nepal Telecommunications Authority
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Based on availability
Higher Demand Spectrum
Higher economic value to the state Pricing through auction E.g. Cellular Spectrum
Lower Demand Spectrum
Not much commercial value for the operation of telecom services Pricing Administrative E.g. Microwave, VSAT
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S. No. 1
Frequency Band 800 MHz
Bandwidth
Possible Technology 824-833 MHz paired with 869-878 MHz CDMA
2 3 4 5
900 MHz 1800 MHz 2100 MHz 2300 MHz
(2x9 MHz) 880-915 MHz paired with 925-960 MHz GSM (2x35 MHz) 1710-1785 MHz paired with 1805-1880 GSM MHz (2x75 MHz) 1920-1980 MHz paired with 2110-2170 IMT-2000 MHz (2x60 MHz) 2300 MHz- 2400 MHz (100 MHz) IMT Advanced
2600 MHz
2500 MHz- 2690 MHz (190 MHz)
IMT Advanced
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2G Spectrum for Cellular/ Basic Telephone Service Minimum spectrum
6 MHz in the GSM 900 MHz band or 9MHz in GSM 1800 MHz Band or its equivalent in GSM 900 and GSM 1800 MHz
Additional spectrum
2 MHz in GSM 900 MHz band or 3 MHz in 1800 MHz band or its equivalent in GSM 900 and GSM 1800 MHz
Spectrum assigned in 1800 MHz band will be considered equivalent to 1.5 times that assigned in the 800/900 MHz bands
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Cellular/ Basic Telephone Service
2x5 MHz in 800 MHz Band 2x9.6 in 900 MHz Band 2x15 MHz in 1800 MHz Band 2x10 MHz in 2100 MHz Band 30 MHz in 2300 MHz Band To be decided for 700/2600/3300 MHz Bands
Limited Mobility and Basic Telecommunication Service
2x2.5 MHz in CDMA 800 MHz Band or 2x6 MHz in GSM 900 MHz Band or 2x9 MHz in GSM 1800 MHz Band
Revoke spectrum exceeding maximum limit within 3 months
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2G Spectrum
Minimum spectrum - 0.4% of the Annual gross revenue. Additional spectrum
Rs 6 Million per MHz (unpaired)in the 900 MHz Rs 4 Million per MHz ( unpaired) in the 1800 MHz
Maximum spectrum
Rs 12 Million Rs per MHz ( unpaired)in the 900 MHz Rs 8 Million Rs per MHz ( unpaired) in the 1800 MHz
3G Spectrum
Base price:
Rs 12 Million per MHz( unpaired) from the date of spectrum assignment
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Microwave and Minimum Frequency fee
Within 6 months after end of fiscal year
Additional, Maximum and VSAT frequency fee
Within 3 Months from the beginning of fiscal year
Beyond due date,
monthly fine of 2% of remaining amount Otherwise, spectrum revocation within 6 months
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Joint Effort of Ministry of Information and Communication (MoIC)/NTA
Regular Monitoring Interference Issues
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Spectrum Planning
Domestic Interference Cross Border Interference
Spectrum Refarming
Database Management
Delay in Spectrum Usage Data Submission to regulator
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THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION
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