Rail Corporation NSW Response to;

Changes to Channel Arrangements for Fixed Point-to-Point Links in the Lower Microwave Bands
Spectrum Planning Discussion Paper SPP 05/2010

10th December 2010

RailCorp thanks the ACMA for the opportunity to respond to this discussion paper.

The bands of interest to RailCorp are the following;

  1. 1.8 GHz (1700-1900 MHz) band;
  2. 2.1 GHz (1900-2300 MHz) band;
  3. 2.2 GHz (2025-2285 MHz) band
  4. 3.8 GHz (3580-4200 MHz) band

1.8 GHz Band

RailCorp has eight Spectrum licenses in the 1.8GHz band. These channels are referred to as PCS spectrum in the discussion paper, as per the auction release in 2000. The proposed 28 MHz regional area overlay channels coincide with all of the spectrum covered by these licenses. The proposed additional 7 MHz channel is spectrally close to the highest RailCorp channel.

The 1,800 MHz spectrum currently held by RailCorp and Australian rail operators allows the capacity for critical improvements to:

  • rail safety systems;
  • Future digital Train Protection and Control systems, particularly the European Train Control System Level 2 system;

This spectrum will be used for the GSM-R Digital Train Radio System (DTRS) that is currently under construction. In view of the significant capital outlay required to deploy this Radiocommunications system for rail communications, it is essential that long term access is available to the 1.8 GHz bands that are licenced to RailCorp and other rail operators around Australia.

The provision of radio communications to trains is a safety-critical requirement and the provision of suitable spectrum is recognised as a vital need.

RailCorp has been working with the Australasian Railway Association, the ACMA, Carriers and the energy industry to achieve efficient long term use of the 1.8 GHz bands licenced to rail around Australia. Proposals under development include;

  • Spectrum aggregation
  • Spectrum sharing

It is expected that successful spectrum sharing arrangements with parties such as energy utilities will require a greater degree of frequency planning at geographical and spectrum boundaries. Any proposal to provide additional spectrum for regional areas may cause an additional impact on DTRS services at the geographical boundaries.

The RailCorp rail electrified network covers the geographical area bounded by Maitland, Kiama, Macarthur and Lithgow. The DTRS must provide RF coverage to this area.

In the future, RailCorp may be required to provide DTRS RF coverage as far south as Gerringong. If this proceeds, this boundary is expected to require careful frequency planning to provide protection from interference.

The possible provision of GSM-R related wireless train protection technologies in the future will require additional bandwidth and put further pressure on rail 1.8 GHz spectrum requirements.

There is already some concern that licence condition restrictions on the top channel of 1.8 GHz spectrum held by RailCorp will severely reduce the usefulness of this channel. Any additional requirements for interference management created by boundary issues for the provision of channel 7 may cause RailCorp problems with regard to frequency planning for the rail network.

RailCorp supports additional restrictions on 1.8 GHz fixed link deployment in geographical proximity to the RailCorp area, with the aim of preventing any degradation to projected DTRS levels of service.

RailCorp requests to be updated when further details are available regarding the new 14 MHz channel and overlay of 28 MHz channel pairs outside city areas.

2.1 and 2.2 GHz bands

RailCorp currently has one point to point link occupying this band.

In the long term, RailCorp plans to migrate to either shared spectrum or another licenced band. It is anticipated that the current band will be required by RailCorp for four to six years. Spectrum in the 2.4 GHz band should continue to be provided for the continued use of shared spectrum to replace licenced point to point links where appropriate.

3.8 GHz Band

Currently, RailCorp has two point to point links in this band.

In the long term, RailCorp plans to migrate the twolinks occupying this band to the 8 GHz band. It is anticipated that the current band will be required by RailCorp for four to six years.

Page 1 of 3RailCorp NSW response to ACMA paper SPP 05/2010