Spectrum Band Plan 006 - 17.70 - 20.10 GHz Band Plan

17.70 - 20.10 GHz Band Plan

• Annex 1 - Table of Allocations
• Annex 2 - Band & Channel Plan
• Annex 3 - 18 GHz Band 17700 - 19700 MHz (Plan A) Channelling
• Annex 4 - 17700 - 19700 MHz 18 GHz Band (Plan B) Channelling

1. Purpose

The re-allocation of the spectrum 18.7 - 19.3 GHz to the FIXED SATELLITE service (FSS) as a co-primary service to the FIXED service to the FIXED service (FS) at WRC 97 required a re-consideration of New Zealand utilisation of this part of the spectrum. This policy describes the manner in which both services can be accommodated by band segmentation. ITU-R Resolution 1301 and ITU-R Resolution 5382 apply.

2. Policy

From the date of publication of this POLDOC the use of the spectrum 17.7 - 19.7 GHz shall be in accordance with the following criteria, the allocation table at Annex 1, the band and channel plan at Annex 2, and the detailed channelling plans at Annex 3.

3. Specific Criteria

To make provision for non-GSO FSS, no further assignments will be made to the FS in the 18.8 - 19.3 GHz spectrum, unless they cannot be accommodated in the 19.3 - 19.7 GHz spectrum. Any new assignments to the FS will be made in the 19.3 - 19.7 GHz spectrum, and the paired spectrum shown in Annex 2. If new assignments to the FS cannot be accommodated in the 19.3 - 19.7 GHz spectrum, they will be placed in the 19.05 - 19.3 GHz spectrum which is already partially occupied by fixed services.

If any satellite service provider requires access to more than the currently unoccupied 250 MHz of spectrum in the 18.8 - 19.05 GHz frequency range (that is, access to any part of the 250 MHz of spectrum in the 19.05 - 19.3 GHz frequency range), co-ordination with any FS licensees operating in the specified spectrum will be necessary.

As grantor of radio licences in these bands, the Ministry will facilitate the initiation of such co-ordination discussions. The Ministry will not, however -

1. grant the satellite operator a radio licence affording protection from harmful interference from co-channel emissions in the specified spectrum [regulation 8(3)(b)(ii)]; and
2. revoke any FS licence relating to the specified spectrum [regulation 15(2)] -

except at the request in writing of any affected FS licensees.

In parallel with the generation of policy to allow the introduction of the FSS, it is appropriate to define the parameters which apply to the FS use of the band. These are:

• Spectral efficiency

  • This is required to be better than 1 bit per Hz. In heavily congested areas, it is highly desirable to use equipment which can achieve better efficiencies in order to conserve spectrum and maximise channel reuse.

• Notional antenna
  

  • 300mm high-performance parabolic dish with half-power beamwidth of 3.6o and on=axis gain =>33.5 dBi.
    Note: High sites such as Skytower require high performance antennas of at least 600 mm diameter to provide maximum frequency reuse and improved immunity to interference.

• Use of passive repeaters
  

  • Passive repeaters are not permitted in areas of high usage or demand because of the negative on frequency reuse.

• Minimum path length
  

  • 2 km.
     

4. General Technical Consideration

Calculations have shown that non-GSO FSS earth station receivers cannot be coordinated with terrestrial FS transmitters using the dame frequency range, as the earth stations can be located anywhere in the country. In spite of the significant discrimination provided by the earth station antenna and the high minimum elevation angle of 40o for the earth station antenna, the potentially close proximity of the FS transmitters would still adversely affect the earth station receivers in significant parts of the major metropolitan areas.

To allow the introduction of this new FSS technology that will provide ubiquitous broadband communications, it is necessary to segment the 18 GHz band.

Considering that by 1 September 2001, the 19.3 - 19.7 GHz spectrum had been utilized to capacity in Auckland, licences may have to be issued in the 19.5 - 19.3 GHz spectrum to meet demand, as provided for above.

5. General - Primary User Status

Primary User status is a concept that was developed to assist major FS users of the spectrum to minimise the provisioning of spares for their equipment. Rather than select the next available channel, each major user was allotted a block of channels, and all assignments to that client were made from its Primary User block. This meant that only one model of spare equipment had to be held, rather than the four to six sets that would be required if random channels were assigned. As the number of channels available to the FS has been substantially reduced by the reservation of spectrum for the FSS in this band, the concept of Primary User status for blocks of channels cannot be continued for this band.



Verified By:

Manager
Spectrum Planning



Approved By:

Manager
Operational Policy