APG15-4/INP-97

/ ASIA-PACIFIC TELECOMMUNITY
The 4thMeeting of the APT Conference Preparatory Group for WRC-15 (APG15-4) / Document
APG15-4/INP-97
09 – 14February 2015, Bangkok, Thailand / 09 February 2015

Viet Nam and Laos

preliminary views on WRC-15 agenda items 1.1

Agenda item 1.1

to consider additional spectrum allocations to the mobile service on a primary basis and identification of additional frequency bands for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) and related regulatory provisions, to facilitate the development of terrestrial mobile broadband applications, in accordance with Resolution 233 (WRC12).

  1. Background

Agenda Item 1.1 invites administrations to identify frequency bands for IMT system in order to meet the future demand of spectrum of future mobile broadband usage. Some frequency bands have been proposed as potential candidate for IMT.

1.1The importance of the extended C-band for satellite communications

The band 3 400-3700 MHz is extensively used throughout the world by the fixed-satellite service (FSS) to provide a wide range of services in developed and developing countries, including critical applications such as: distance learning, telemedicine and universal access services; backhaul services (telephony, Internet); VSAT data links (e.g. bank transactions, corporate networks); distribution of TV programs; Government/emergency communication links, including disaster recovery, safety-of-life services and meteorological tracking. As of January 2013 up to November 2014, there are about 254 satellite networks submitted to the ITU under Article 9 and 54 satellite networks in Notification stage under Article 11 are using extended C-bands (Source: ITU’s website – SNS database).

Even though there are options for satellite operators to use higher frequency bands, C-band remains the preferred choice as it is able to withstand rain attenuation. This key characteristic makes C-band suitable in fulfilling the communication needs of countries located in high rain zones or much more separated geography such as ASEAN countries. For these affected countries which are usually located within tropical or equatorial regions, C-band is a very crucial band as adverse meteorological conditions make the use of higher frequency bands very difficult or impossible.

The band 3 400-3 700 MHz enables satellites to cover large geographic areas, and facilitates intercontinental and global communications. Due to the broad reach of satellites using these frequencies, the C-bandis uniquely able to provide economically viable coverage of low population density and remote areas. In addition, millions of satellite earth stations are also deployed worldwide, especially for developing countries, and are not always registered in this band.

The traditional- C bands are highly utilized worldwide.In fact, it is becoming more and more difficult for a new operator to have access to satellite communications resources in the traditional C-bands.As a result, satellite operatorsmeet many difficulties to find available traditional C-bands for new satellite project. The extended C-band aidsnew operator, especially for developing countries having chance to complete the satellite coordination and deploy satellite project.Operators in developing countries, whose satellites operate in extended C-band, would be put into very difficult situation if this band identified for IMT as satellite is a long term investment.

The VINASAT-1 satellite was launched on 19 April 2008 and LAOSAT-1 is planning to launch this year. Viet Nam has invested a large amount of money for the first satellite as well as implemented millions of receiving earth stations (i.e TVRO, VSAT). Therefore, Viet Nam, Laos would face with severe impact on their economies if the extended C-band would be identified for IMT. With regards to broadcasting service, many satellites have been providing the service in the extended C band, with the enhancing requirement of users for quality of service such as HDTV, SHDTV. Although technology on modulation scheme is improved, however spectrum for new broadcasting services such as 4K TV, 8K TV is more increasing.

In fact of that, the C-band satellite networks play an important role in cases of disaster. In disaster areas, terrestrial telecommunication systems are often wiped out. C-band equipment also is readily available worldwide and can quickly be dispatched to a disaster area and set up for the emergency service.

In addition, there were some bands identified to IMT for longtime, however these bands remain not bring into use for IMT such as bands of 2.6GHz, 2.3GHz and 450-470 MHz.. Therefore, identification of extended C-band for IMT is use of spectrum resource ineffectively and no rationally.

WRC-07 addressed proposals for IMT in the band 3.4-4.2 GHz and found compromise solution after broad and longdeliberations and discussions for the band 3.4-3.6 GHz. Therefore, more discussion on this issue is duplicated and not supported. Moreover, due to the heavy work load of WRC’s, in particular WRC15, every effort should be made to propose solutions that do not generate unnecessary discussions during WRC’s thereby allowing the conference to deal with important subjects which require further or extensive deliberations and discussions

1.2Compatibility and sharing issues between terrestrial and satellite services

At the JTG 4-5-6-7 meeting, the Draft New Report with the title “Sharing studies between IMT -Advanced systems and geostationary satellite networks in the fixed satellite service in the 3 400-4 200 MHz and 4 500-4 800 MHz frequency bands” has been conducted. It can be understood based on the conclusion of Draft New Report as follows:

-When FSS earth stations are deployed in a typical ubiquitous manner or with no individual licensing, sharing between IMT -Advanced and FSS is not feasible in the same geographical area since no minimum separation distance can be guaranteed.

-Deployment of IMT -Advanced would constrain future FSS earth stations from being deployed in the same area in the bands 3 400-4 200 MHz and 4 500-4 800 MHz.

2.Preliminary View

Taking compatibility and sharing issues between terrestrial and satellite services into account and considering the extensive use of the extended C band by the FSS throughout the world, especially in the Asia Pacific region, Vietnam is of the view that the band 3400 – 3700 MHz should not be further considered as a candidate band for WRC-15 Agenda Item 1.1. Therefore, Viet Nam proposes the APT preliminary Views as follows:

APT Preliminary Views:

APT Members, in principle,support potential additional spectrum allocations to the mobile service on a primary basis and identification of additional frequency bands for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in accordance with Resolution 233 (WRC-12).

While considering potential candidate bandsfor additionalidentification for IMT, APT Members support the sharing/compatibility studies currently being carried out by ITU-R.

APT Members are of the view that the ITU-R studies should also take into account;

-efficient use of spectrum[1] and resolves of Resolution 233 (WRC-12);

-the need for harmonization of spectrum bands to facilitate global roaming and to achieveeconomies of scale for IMT equipment development;

-the need for protection of services to which the frequency bands are currently allocated;

-protection of radio-navigation service in accordance with No. 4.10 of the Radio Regulations;

-the needs of developing countries;

-spectrum requirements to address evolving needs, evolving technologies and user demand for IMT and other terrestrial mobile broadband applications as well as other services;

-sharing and compatibility issues with other services alreadyhaving allocations in the potential candidate bands and in adjacent bands considering the current and planned use of these bands by the existing services, as well as the applicable studies already performed in ITURfor the purpose of identification of the spectrum for IMT with respect to corresponding frequency bands being proposed for study.

APT Members are also of the view that regional harmonization on potential candidate frequency bands is important to satisfy WRC-15 agenda item 1.1.

APT members oppose the following bands as candidate frequency bands for IMT

3400-3700 MHz

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