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The proposal
Background
Digital Microwave Radio (DMR) is a cost effective, quickly deployable way of providing fixed radio links and backhaul for a variety of applications, systems and networks. DMR uses include backhaul for cellular networks; backhaul for television and radio broadcasting networks; control and monitoring networks; and connectivity to areas where wire line is uneconomical.
The Ministry is planning to review of all current fixed services bands later this year. This is expected to identify current usage, opportunities, potential efficiency gains and demand in the bands. It will also consider international trends and allocation practices.
In recent years demand has increased for higher capacity DMR delivering faster backhaul and data speeds. This is being driven by increased broadband demand. The Ministry has received requests for wider (56 MHz) channel spacing to be permitted in some of the DMR bands. As a result of these requests the Ministry have allowed some 56 MHz channelled trial licences on a short term basis.
Many of the bands available for DMR are allotted (channelled) based on International Telecommunications Union Radiocommunications Sector Recommendations (ITU R Recommendations). Bands and channels available for Fixed services in New Zealand are listed in ‘Fixed Service bands in New Zealand’ (PIB 22). A table of bands and recommendations can be found in Table 9, ‘Radio Licence Certification Rules’ (PIB 38).
Proposal
As part of the fixed service review the Ministry plans to look at allotment, channelling and channel bandwidths. However, it is recognised that there is current demand for wider channel spacing (56 MHz) and that in some bands it is straight forward to allow this prior to the review. Bands that are being considered for early 56MHz channelling are where:
- New Zealand follows the ITU R Recommendations, and
- the ITU R Recommendation previously allowed for up to 28 MHz channel spacing but has been updated to provide 56MHz channels.
The Ministry is proposing to allow 56MHz channel spacing in the V, U, X and 38 GHz bands. The new channels would be published in PIB 22 and would be open to licensing under the rules specified in PIB 38 and the ‘Radio Licence Policy Rules” (PIB 58). The bands are as follows:
Band | Frequency Range | Allocated Use | RF Channel | ITU Rec channels | Current NZ channels |
7 100-7 425 MHz | Point-to-point Medium capacity Digital only | ITU‑R Rec.F.385 | 3.5, 5, 7, 7, 14, 28, 56 (2x28) MHz | 14, 7, 3.5 MHz | |
U | 7 425-7 730 MHz | Point-to-point Low - medium capacity Digital only | ITU‑R Rec.F.385 | 3.5, 5, 7, 7, 14, 28, 56 (2x28) MHz | 28,14, 7, 3.5 MHz |
X | 12.75-13.25 GHz | Point-to-point Digital only | ITU‑R Rec.F.497 | 3.5, 7, 14, 28, 56 (2x28) MHz | 28, 14, 7 MHz |
38 GHz | 37.0-40.0 GHz | Point-to-point Low – medium capacity Digital only | ITU‑R Rec.F.749 | 140, 56, 28, 14, 7, 3.5 | 28, 14, 7, 3.5 MHz |
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The Ministry invited industry comment on the proposed changes. Comments include answers to the following questions:
- Do you agree with allowing 56MHz channel spacing in the bands listed in this proposal?
- Are there any other issues that you want us to take into consideration when opening the new channels?
1 These proposed changes do not affect the TVOB portion of the V band.
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