Emergency services in 862 to 863 MHz

For emergency services the 862 to 863 MHz band is available. The communications system used throughout the UK by fire and rescue services and police are supported by this band. Ofcom recognizes that any disruption to these systems would have far reaching implications on emergency services. Ofcom’s technical studies revealed that if the interference risks are not managed properly, the chances of interference between mobile use in the 800 MHz band and adjacent emergency service systems would be great. As a result, in order to assess the impact of interference on emergency services’ operations and to make plans to deal with the interference risks, Ofcom is working with DCMS (Department of Culture Media and Sport) and the relevant services.

The Government will meet any justifiable cost incurred by emergency service spectrum users as a result of the changes required to implement these plans. Ofcom will provide in the Information Memorandum for the award all other information about the result of this work.

For lessening the risk of interference between mobile use in the 800 MHz band and the police system a plan has been agreed upon by DCMS and the Home Office. To extenuate the risk of interference, DCMS would provide funds to the Home Office. Measures to manage interference risks in the short term are also included in the mitigation of interference. For long term solution, Ofcom is working the various Government departments, DCMS and the Home Office.

To assess the potential operational impact on fire and rescue services by the future mobile use in the 800 MHz band and to find a solution, a stakeholder Board and a Working Group have been established. The lead users from the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA), experts from DCMS, DCLG (Department of Communities and Local Government and experts from Ofcom are the members of this establishment.

800 MHz: short range devices (SRDs) in 863 to870 MHz
In the EU many short-range devices operate in harmony with frequency band between 863 and 870 MHz. Once the mobile services in the 800 MHz are deployed, these SRDs (short-range devices) may experience interference from mobile handsets operating in 832 to 862 MHz. As defined by the European Commission, SRDs are deployed on non-interference /non-protected basis and no licence are required to operate it in the 863 to 870 MHz band. Regarding the effect of the award on SRDs operating in the 863 and 870 MHz band, Ofcom has published a preliminary technical analysis in June 2011. The regulator has commissioned further technical work to identify the potential for interference to two categories of device namely social alarms and audio devices. Considering the result of this work and also taking into consideration the responses received to Consultation Ofcom decided that to protect SRDs there is no need to impose any restrictions on the use of any portions of the 832 to 862 MHz block.

Ofcom acknowledges the potential for some interference in to SRD band. These license-exempted frequencies are available on a non-interference non-protected basis across Europe. Since the regulator believe that the most suitable mitigations are available to the users and makers of SRDs, Ofcom is engaging with them to find out the most suitable mitigation. For establishing safety-critical equipment of EU-wide standards, the regulator is working with European bodies. Ofcom’s views on the risk of interference into SRDs and the work that is going to be undertaken with the users and manufacturers of SRDs are published in an Information update on 30 November 2011.

2.6 GHz: S-band radar remediation
In Ofcom’s Consultation of March and June 2011, on technical license conditions, the regulator had explained that interference could be caused to aeronautical radio navigation radar operating in the 2.7 to 3.1 GHz band by in-band emissions from systems operating in the 2.6 GHz band. The aeronautical radio navigation radar is mainly used for air traffic control. Ofcom has assessed the potential impact on other users of this band like maritime radar but found that the impact is less. The work that Ofcom was doing in relation to S-band radar was explained in March 2011 consultation. Ofcom has made plans to arrange a stakeholder’s event soon after the publication of the consultation document, to present its views on coordination arrangements.

Air traffic control radar
A solution for the mitigation of the effects of affected ATC radars’ low receiver selectivity is needed. For this purpose Ofcom commissioned a research and it is expected that the research would be conducted by the middle of 2012. To co-exist with systems operating in the 2.6 GHz band, most ATC radars are to be modified. To protect the ATC radars, until this modification is carried out, there will be restrictions on deployment in the 2.6 GHz band and once these radars are modified these restrictions would be relaxed. Some limited coordination requirements are needed at this time and for this purpose Ofcom is working with CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) and MOD (Ministry of Defence). The licensees in the 2.6 GHz band will be required to comply with these coordination arrangements while rolling out services.

To help the implementation of necessary modifications to ATC radars, Ofcom is working with DCMS, DfT, MOD and CAA. Department for Transport has already established an industry group consisting ATC radars operators and relevant parties in the aviation sector to formulate a roll out plan for modification of ATC radars. Ministry of Defence (MOD) will be managing the modification of military ATC radars. The modification of both civil and military ATC radars covering majority population of the UK should be completed by the close of 2013 and the rest of the UK immediately after that.

The work of investigating the possibilities of deployment of 2.6 GHz networks at airports has been completed. The study reveals that once the modification of radars is done then it would be possible to deploy networks for communications services. The details of coordination requirements for 2.6 GHz network deployment necessary for the protection of ATC radars would be included in the Information Memorandum for the award.

A theoretical assessment of the chances of interference to maritime radar and its impact was also done by Ofcom. The evidence suggests that no additional restrictions are required to manage interactions between maritime radar and 2.6 GHz transmissions.

1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz: Use at the London 2012 Games
To develop a spectrum plan that is to be used during the London 2012 Games, Ofcom has been working in association with the Government, Paralympic Games and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG). After Consultation in October 2009 Ofcom had published a statement with regard to the spectrum plan and an update of the plan was published in October 2010. Another statement was published in December 2010 regarding the reservation of the 2.6 GHz band for the use of the Games. As per the spectrum plans the frequencies 791 to 862 MHz and 2500 to 2690 MHz are exclusively reserved for Games use. The licenses to be awarded for these spectrums will contain a clause that these spectrums should not be used between 28 June and 23 September 2012 within the M25. Depending on the demand for devices like wireless microphones, wireless cameras etc. these spectrum can be used at other locations.

During the Games period there is also a chance to permit other uses on a non-interference non-protected basis only after careful co-ordination with Games users. Such usage will be permitted under Non-Operational licenses and it will not be a part of the award. Ofcom has doubts about the possibility of co-ordination within the M25 area.

The fact that for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games (the Glasgow games) also the government has given similar guarantees on spectrum should be borne in mind by the potential bidders. The Secretary of the State or the regulator doesn’t want to restrain the freedom of the bidders or exercise their powers or cancel licenses for the purpose of meeting the country’s international obligation.