5.4.1 Planning for use of the "Nationwide" spectrum - Block D

The spectrum released nationwide is seen as most suitable for new cellular mobile types of usage, although precise technical subdivision needs to consider allocations in other countries which will dictate the equipment available internationally. These issues are not fully resolved but it appears that:

The United States has allocated spectrum in two segments, with each segment containing provision for FDD¹⁴ type and a small band for unpaired use:

• 698-746 MHz, 2 x 18 MHz paired plus 12 MHz non paired;
• 746-806 MHz, 2 x 27 MHz paired plus 2 x 2 MHz guard bands.
  

European countries have generally recognised a core digital dividend above 800 MHz, although there may still opportunities for use of country by country allocations in the 750-906 MHz range. Planning is necessarily done in light of the ITU GE-06 agreement for digital television use across Europe, and a consultation has recently been released which focus their “Europe wide” dividend in the range 790-862 MHz.

There are various initiatives to promote specific frequency allocations within both the APT and ITU-R¹⁵, and ideally, the final technical planning in New Zealand should only be confirmed when this work is completed and major European and Asian countries have confirmed their positions. It is also desirable to complete any allocation shortly after a DSO date has been confirmed to give early certainty of future use. With possible DSO dates as early as 2013, a spectrum allocation process could be in 2012, with planning completed in 2011. However both the DSO date and the timing of any allocation are government decisions and would need to take into account all relevant factors at the time.

However the dates suggested above do not preclude establishing preferred band limits now (compatible with the New Zealand 8 MHz channelling), with confirmation of this frequency limit and a full technical subdivision at a later date.

It is proposed that a preferred band edge of 694 MHz¹⁶ be established, with the possibility of this being amended following confirmation of both the television requirement as identified in this paper and the overseas band plans and therefore potential equipment supply. The 694 MHz frequency would allow the United States band plan to be adopted if appropriate along with a 4 MHz guard band. The United States band plan has two segments, each giving a paired spectrum usage capability. Full details are given in Appendix 1.

Given that significant portions of spectrum above 806 MHz proposed by Europe is already subject to long term private Management Rights and has significant investment in mobile radio infrastructure in New Zealand, and is beyond the scope of this paper, it is proposed that New Zealand technical planning be based around the plan adopted in the United States.

There may be requirements for some of the nationwide spectrum to be planned and reserved for public purposes, specifically for future mobile data use by public safety agencies. It is noted that spectrum is specifically allocated for such purposes in the United States, although the extent of demand in New Zealand is not known.

From a technical perspective, the public safety organisations in the United States have adopted use of the so-called LTE¹⁷ standard which would be compatible with any New Zealand planning based on this standard. However it is considered premature to either undertake technical planning for potential New Zealand implementation of LTE based services, for either commercial or public safety purposes at this stage.

Question 17

Do you agree with the proposal to establish a preferred band limit at 694 MHz, subject to finalisation as outlined below? If not, what alternative lower limit would you prefer, and why?

Question 18

Do you agree with the proposal to base New Zealand technical planning on the spectrum allocations used in the United States? If not, what alternative allocations would you prefer, and why?

Question 19

Do you agree with the concept of deferring detailed technical subdivision of the released nationwide spectrum, for completion in 2011 (when international trends are anticipated as being resolved), and allocation later in 2011 or 2012? If not what dates would you prefer for completion of planning and allocation?

Footnotes

¹⁴ FDD - Frequency Division Duplex is a technique using separate frequency bands for each direction of transmission, for example to and from a cellular user.

¹⁵ The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) have a “Wireless Forum” that is considering frequency planning issues later in 2009, for possible input to The International Telecommunication Union Radio Study Groups (ITU-R, WG 5D)

¹⁶ A band edge of 694 MHz allows for 24 RF channels to be available below this frequency for television if required.

¹⁷ LTE stands for Long Term Evolution and is a term for advanced cellular mobile and data services.