Identification of Frequency Bands Above 6 Ghz for Imt

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Introduction

Recently, research and studies on the technical feasibility of IMT in higher frequency bands have been carried out by academia, research bodies, international organizations and the mobile industry on a global scale, as well by ITU-R WP 5D and Canada’s Communications Research Centre. The corresponding results and general interest in the use of higher frequency bands for mobile broadband and IMT have been presented in various workshops and conferences worldwide. In particular, several presentations were made during the “workshop on research views of IMT beyond 2020”[1] hosted by the ITU during the 18th meeting of ITU-R WP5D in February 2014. It is predicted that usage of higher frequencies will be one of the key enabling components for future broadband mobile systems.

ITU-R WP 5D initiated the development of a working document towards a preliminary draft new Report ITU-R M.[IMT.ABOVE 6 GHz] to study and provide information on the technical feasibility of IMT in the bands above 6 GHz. Technical feasibility includes information on how current IMT systems, their expected evolution, and/or potentially new radio interface standards and system approaches, could be appropriate for operation in the bands above 6 GHz, taking into account the impact of the propagation characteristics of higher frequency bands on the possible future operation of IMT. Technology enablers such as developments in active and passive components, antenna techniques, deployment architectures, and the results of simulations and performance tests are considered. The viability of sharing and compatibility will be the subject of future studies.

A certain level of consumer demand for higher bandwidth applications is also encouraging interest in, and the development of, advanced mobile broadband applications including IMT. Therefore, a need is emerging for suitable future frequency spectrum for mobile broadband to enable the implementation of IMT systems, which will provide the corresponding services and applications. Wide bandwidths available in frequency bands above 6 GHz may be suitable for broadband mobile technologies to provide for high capacity performance. Where technically feasible, the flexibility of using the same spectrum for both access and backhaul links provides operators with the opportunity to manage the use of the spectrum based on their service and deployment needs, allowing for more rapid and cost-effective system deployment. Manufacturers have begun identifying potential candidate bands for 5G technologies focusing on frequency bands between 6 GHz and 100 GHz.

Considerations

As part of the preparations for WRC-15, many countries are considering possible agenda items for WRC-19. Interest has been expressed in establishing a future WRC agenda item to consider the identification of certain bands for IMT in frequency ranges between 6 GHz and 100 GHz, including possible additional allocations to the mobile service and related regulatory provisions.

Cognizant of the challenges faced by the ITU-R JTG 4-5-6-7 in addressing WRC-15 Agenda Item 1.1, Canada would like to initiate discussions within CITEL towards a suitable approach for the identification of frequency bands for IMT above 6 GHz, taking into account the issues that should be considered. While Canada is in principle supportive of a future agenda item on advanced mobile broadband, including IMT, the issue at hand is how to adequately focus and manage a potentially large scale agenda item while minimizing the conceivably large number of associated studies that may be required in advance of WRC-19.

Discussions could initially focus on the following approaches:

1)  Consideration of specific frequency ranges (such as ranges with on-going research) to be included in the agenda item or in an accompanying Resolution. This would provide focus for an agenda item as well as quantifying the number of accompanying studies for work planning purposes.

2)  Consideration of a broad spectrum range (e.g. 6 GHz to 100 GHz) with a set of guiding principles in an accompanying Resolution to focus the work. For example, one such guiding principle could be the exclusion of frequency bands where sharing difficulties exist due to the characteristics of the allocated service(s) and the extent of its use. Another principle that could ultimately limit the number of studies could be to first consider frequency bands that currently have a global primary or co-primary mobile service allocation, followed by additional bands should sufficient spectrum not be available.

It is likely that a combination of different approaches and principles may be necessary to balance these aspects. Conclusions and guidelines on how to conduct the studies would likely be captured in a new Resolution associated with the agenda item, to be developed at WRC-15 on the basis of contributions.

Regardless of the approach, when considering the identification of bands for new applications and services, the protection of currently allocated services and the consideration of future or planned usage in these bands are crucial, noting that higher frequency bands are widely used by terrestrial and space services on a co-primary basis.

Conclusion

Canada is of the view that these approaches will require further consideration and discussion by CITEL administrations. To further discussions, Attachment 1 proposes a draft CITEL contribution to CPM 15-2 initiating an exchange of ideas with respect to the issues raised regarding focusing and appropriately scoping such an agenda item. The result of discussions will then help finalize positions or proposals to WRC-15 under Agenda Item 10 for the next meeting of PCC.II.

Proposal

We invite CITEL administrations to consider Attachment 1 with a view to supporting this contribution at CPM 15-2.

Attachment1

Proposed contribution to CPM15-2

Source: Document CPM15-2/1

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[1] http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/oth/0a/06/R0A060000630001MSWE.docx