Satellite 001 - Licensing of Satellite News Gathering (SNG) Transmitting Facilities

Licensing of Satellite News Gathering (SNG) Transmitting Facilities

1. Policy

Licences may be granted to applicants for the operation of SNG uplink facilities. Each SNG installation requires an individual licence, which must be obtained before activating an SNG installation. Contact details are recorded in the ITU SNG Users Guide.

2. Specific Criteria

Equipment which is approved by satellite service providers for use with their satellite systems is acceptable for licensing in New Zealand. The off-axis e.i.r.p. density shall comply with ITU-R S.524, or the satellite operator's requirements, whichever is more stringent. There is no additional requirement to be met in regard to type approval. In general, operation of an SNG installation should comply with the ITU-R recommendations in the SNG series.

3. General Technical Considerations

The satellite Ku band 14.0-14.5 GHz is the preferred band for SNG operations, as there is no frequency sharing with terrestrial fixed services, and the only coordination required is with adjacent band receivers operating in the 14.5-14.9 GHz spectrum. There are only a small number of assignments around Napier, Hastings and Wellington on the channel adjacent to the Ku band uplink spectrum, so coordination should be readily achieved. If a system using 2-way voice/data communications for coordination of activities is used, interference from terrestrial fixed services may be experienced in the Auckland area, depending on the transponder in use and location of the SNG apparatus.

The satellite C band 5925-6425 MHz can be used, but is subject to adequate prior notice and satisfactory coordination with existing terrestrial fixed services. There is some use of the spectrum 5925-6420 MHz in the Auckland, Hamilton, Blenheim-Canterbury, Central Otago and Invercargill areas, and extensive use of the spectrum 6430-7100 MHz nationally. If a system using 2-way voice/data communications for coordination of SNG activities is used, interference from terrestrial fixed services may be experienced in the Wellington - Nelson areas. As a coordination process is time consuming and restrictive of the location of the SNG uplink apparatus, use of the satellite C band is to be avoided if at all possible.

4. General

The licence fee is based on a licence for a fixed Satellite Service. As the requirement is for a short term licence, the fee is applied on a monthly pro-rata basis, with a minimum of one twelfth of the annual fee applying. A NZ$54.00 application fee is also payable for each location required. An application on a Radio 2 Form, which is available from any field office of the Ministry of Economic Development.

5. Background

With the emergence of widespread SNG services, especially for major events such as the APEC meetings and Americas Cup regatta, a clear policy is required for the guidance of users, and to ensure consistency of internal processes.

Approved By:

Manager
Spectrum Policy.