1. Background

Planning the allocation of the radio spectrum and ensuring that it is optimally utilised is a responsibility of the Ministry of Economic Development (the Ministry). Ultra wide band (UWB) is an emerging technology that offers a new paradigm for the allocation and use of the radio spectrum. It is necessary to find a balance between encouraging technologies such as UWB communications and protecting existing radiocommunication services from harmful interference. Inaction is likely to have an economic cost by preventing New Zealand companies from taking advantage of new and innovative technologies. Examples of UWB communications include Personal Area Networks (PAN), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN); home entertainment, multimedia interfaces, wireless USB devices and high precision location RFID.

In April 2005, The Ministry published the document “Engineering Discussion Paper on Spectrum Allocation for Ultra Wide Band Devices¹” to discuss possible spectrum allocation options for UWB technology. During the same year, The Ministry analysed a number of licence applications for UWB communications. Some field trials were also performed using mobile low data rate UWB devices outdoors, with no interference issues found.

Having considered the submissions on the 2005 discussion paper, the Ministry granted a GUL arrangement for UWB radar and a radio licensing regime for imaging applications. There have been no incidents of interference complaints so far and the Ministry is not proposing to make any changes to the current licensing arrangement for radar and imaging applications. Bearing in mind the early stages of commercial UWB communication applications at the time, the Ministry adopted the approach of granting interim radio licences for UWB communication trials. This arrangement was put in place to allow trials on a case-by-case basis enabling New Zealand companies to research the potential of this technology while monitoring international trends.

Since 2006, UWB product development has been gaining momentum internationally. UWB communications have emerged onto the market covering applications such as RFID and wireless USB. In addition to these trends, semiconductor makers are including UWB communication technology in their chipsets for a variety of applications ranging from multimedia applications, consumer electronics and mobile communications.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) released in 2006 a series of recommendations on UWB, identifying licence exempt approaches as best suited for short range indoor and outdoor UWB communications. Between 2002 and 2007, several administrations have adopted unlicensed frameworks for the adoption of UWB communications including the USA, Europe and various Asia Pacific nations. These frameworks include the requirement to conform with specific spectral masks and operational conditions in order to protect existing radiocommunication services. Europe in particular has released a number of technical standards specifying the compatibility

and performance requirements for communication devices employing UWB technology. These international developments mean that it is necessary for New Zealand to review its current licensing approach on UWB communication applications.

This paper therefore focuses solely on UWB communication applications. The objective is to develop an appropriate licensing arrangement for UWB communication devices in New Zealand.

¹This document can be referred to:http://www.rsm.govt.nz/cms/policy-and-
planning/current-projects/radiocommunications/spectrum-allocations-for-ultra-wide-
band-technology/an-engineering-discussion-paper-on-spectrum-allocations-for-ultra-
wide-band-devices