Appendix A (ARCHIVED)

Summary of a survey on fixed radio links

• A survey form was posted on 17 organisations in New Zealand and also posted on the MED website. The MED received 13 responses, 2 from equipment suppliers and 11 from network operators.
• All respondents were in favour of removing the pilot conditions from the GURL for FRL.
• The 11 network operators who responded having 18 Fixed Radio Links operating in the 5.8 GHz band with greater than 4 watt eirp. The estimated total number operating in 3 years time is up to 250.
• 9 of the respondents had experience in coordinating on interference issues with other users. Several made the point that the 4W point-to-multipoint systems which share the same band were a greater source of interference than point-to-point systems. Although the point-to-point systems radiated greater power, their directional antennas limited their potential to interfere.
• 5 of the respondents expressed an interest in a public database providing the basic technical details of each user. This was to assist with frequency planning and interference resolution.
• 1 respondent recommended lower maximum power to conserve spectrum. Another recommended an unlimited radiated power but maintaining the 1 watt limit on the transmitter input to the antenna.
• 4 respondents wanted to see more spectrum being made available for similar services. It was also noted by some that opening up the 5470 to 5725 MHz band for lower power systems would provide more space for these systems away from the FRL band.
• 1 respondent wanted greater similarity with the USA FCC regulations on power levels and frequency band.
• 1 respondent wanted to see greater standardisation on the type of technology allowed which raises such questions as spread spectrum verses OFDM and whether circulation polarisation should be allowed.