Making 800 MHz band fully available for the use of new services

Update on availability of 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands
During the March 2011 Consultation Ofcom described the factors that may affect the availability for use of the 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands after the conclusion of the award. In its Statement of June 2009, Ofcom stated that on clearing the 800 MHz band, Ofcom decides to use the whole band for new mobile services after clearing channels 61 and 62 of DTT. The DTT users of these channels have to be re-located to alternative spectrum. Only after this re-location 800 MHz band would be fully available for use of new services. Some parts of the UK would get new services earlier than others since the clearance will progress geographically. Ofcom expects that Northern Ireland would be cleared by the close of 2012, Wales would be cleared by October 2013 and Scotland and England by the end of 2013.

On a transmitter-by-transmitter basis, the clearance will take place. If a transmitter is operating either in 61 or 62 channels, its DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) has to be protected from the interference caused by mobile services in the band. Protection of this service would be one of the conditions in the issue of license after the award. Many transmitters like South Wales relays, Mendip, Winter hill, Rumster Forest, Angus main station and 2 relays, 7 Central, Scotland, Oxford Tacolnaston will continue to operate in channels 61 and 62 beyond 2012.

A technical restriction on equipment use would be included in licenses for 800 MHz band in order to protect the interest of these stations. The restrictions may be like this: At the edge of the DTT coverage area, cumulative LTE field strength should not exceed 29 dBuV/m, DTT coverage area will be as mentioned by Digital Preferred Service Area (DPSA) described by contour or test points and propagation model could be Rec 1546 or CRC.

All potential bidders should take note that DTT transmitter in operation may cause interference to mobile services in the band. On 29 November 2011 Ofcom conducted a workshop where it presented a set of maps showing the preliminary DTT field strength predictions of the last three stations – Oxford, Waltham and Tacolneston - which are expected to be cleared by the end of 2013. This workshop gave an idea about the interference into LTE from high power DTT transmitters functioning on the same frequency.

This Ofcom presentation deals with the DTT clearance time table, PMSE clearance and interference management.

PMSE clearance – 800 MHz
Ofcom wanted to clear 800 MHz band and release it for the use of other new services. It means that the PMSE users (programme-making and special event) of channel 69 (854 to 862) should be moved to some other alternative spectrum. On 15 April 2010 Ofcom published its interim statement on the future management of PMSE spectrum. Ofcom has decided that until 1 July 2012, the PMSE users have to retain access to channel 69 in all of the UK and until 1 October 2012 in London North-east England and Northern Ireland. Unless channel 69 is allowed for the use of new services, Ofcom doesn’t want to clear PMSE users from channel 69.

Many uncertainties are revolving round the new services that are to be launched in the 800 MHz band. Ofcom decided to review the fact whether the access of PMSE users to channel 69 could be extended beyond 1 July and 1 October 2012. Even if any extension is found to be required, it would be up to 31 December 2012.

During the March 2011 Consultation, the regulator elicited evidence from 800 MHz band users about their chances of using the top 2 X 10 MHz band in the latter half of 2012. This information would help Ofcom to decide whether the PMSE use is to be extended or not. No clear evidence was received whether the new bands would be used for new services or not before the close of 2012. It is also noted that the clearance of DTT from the band with in the timeframe may not be advanced to facilitate the new uses. Hence Ofcom decided to permit PMSE use of channel 69 till 31 December 2012 throughout the UK. Likewise PMSE use in channels 61 to 68 which JFMG co-ordinates will continue till the close of 2012.

Availability of channels 63 to 68
Since DSO is still in progress one or more of channels 63 to 68 will be in use for analogue TV in many parts of the UK. It is expected that the use will continue till the second quarter of 2012 in London and south-east England. As far as north-east England and Northern Ireland is concerned the use will be there till the end of 2012. In principle, these Channels will be available in other parts of the UK also.

Co-existence of new services with DTT below 790 MHz
With regard to the co-existence of new mobile services in the 800 MHz band with DTT below 790 MHz, Ofcom had published a consultation in June 2011. Ofcom had already identified that the transmissions from mobile service base stations have the potential to interfere with the reception of DTT. A set of proposals was put forward by Ofcom to address this issue so as to balance the competing interests of 800 MHz and DTT users. Ofcom proposed to establish an implementation body to deal with the delivery options aiming to reduce the interference impacts on DTT users.

In the Consultation Ofcom noted that some decisions are to be made in combination with the Government and some other decisions are to be taken by the Government itself. At present the regulator is working closely with the Government to help them take the decisions. Ofcom is also considering the issues which needs further consultation and that consultation would take place in early 2012.