APG15-3/INP-49

/ ASIA-PACIFIC TELECOMMUNITY
The 3rdMeeting of the APT Conference Preparatory Group for WRC-15 (APG15-3) / Document:
APG15-3/INP-49
09 – 13June 2014,Brisbane,Australia / 02 June2014

New Zealand

PRELIMINARY VIEWS ON WRC-15 AGENDA ITEMS 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3

WRC-15 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 (WRC-12)”

  1. Sharing Studies

Joint Task Group 4-5-6-7 has conducted a significant amount of sharing studies with the following documents being developed to date:

  • Draft new Report ITU-R BT.[MBB_DTTB_470_694] “Sharing and compatibility studies between digital terrestrial television broadcasting and terrestrial mobile broadband applications, including IMT, in the frequency band 470-694/698 MHz”;
  • Preliminary draft new Report F.[IMT 470-694/8 MHz Sharing] “Sharing and compatibility between IMT systems and fixed service systems in the frequency range 470-694/698 MHz”;
  • Draft new Report ITU-R BT.[SAB_SAP] “SAB/SAP spectrum use in Region 1 and the implication of a co-primary allocation for the mobile service in the frequency band 694-790 MHz”;
  • Working document towards a preliminary draft new Report ITU-R M.[RADAR1300] “Studies on the impact of IMT use on radar systems in the frequency range 1 300-1 400 MHz”;
  • Working document toward preliminary draft new Report ITU-R F.[IMT 1 350-1 530 MHz CO-CHANNEL SHARING] “Co-channel compatibility studies between IMT systems and fixed service point-to-point links currently operating in the frequency band 1 350-1 527 MHz”;
  • Working document toward] preliminary draft new Report ITU-R F.[IMT 1 350-1 530 MHz ADJACENT CHANNEL SHARING] “Adjacent channel compatibility studies between IMT systems and fixed service point-to-point links currently operating in 1 350-1 527 MHz”;
  • Preliminary draft new Report ITU-R RS.[EESS 1.4 GHZ] “Consideration of the frequency bands 1 375-1 400 MHz and 1 427-1 452 MHz for the mobile service - compatibility with systems of the earth exploration-satellite service (eess) within the 1 400-1 427 MHz frequency band”;
  • Preliminary draft new Report ITU-R BS.[BS 1452-1492 MHz] “Sharing between the mobile service (MS) and the broadcasting service (BS) in the frequency range 1 452-1 492 MHz”;
  • Preliminary draft new Report ITU-R M.[AMT-IMT.SHARING.L-BAND] “Sharing studies between potential IMT systems and aeronautical mobile telemetry systems in the frequency band 1 429-1 535 MHz”;
  • Preliminary draft new Report ITU-R SA.[METSAT 1.7 GHz] “Sharing assessment between meteorological satellite systems and IMT stations in the 1 695-1 710 MHz frequency band”;
  • Draft new Report ITU-R SA.[2 025-2 290 MHz] “Sharing between space-to-space links in space research, space operation and Earth exploration-satellite services and IMT systems in the frequency bands 2 025-2 110 MHz and 2 200-2 290 MHz”;
  • Working document towards preliminary draft Report ITU-R [RADAR2700] “Studies on the impact of IMT use on radar systems frequency range 2 700-2 900 MHz”;
  • Working document towards preliminary draft Report ITU-R [RADAR2900] “Studies on the impact of IMT use on radar systems in the frequency range 2 900-3 100 MHz”;
  • Preliminary draft new Report ITU-R M.[RADAR3300] “Sharing between indoor IMT systems and radar systems in the frequency band 3 300-3 400 MHz for WRC-15 agenda item 1.1”;
  • Draft new Report ITU-R [C-BAND DOWNLINK] “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 in the WRC study cycle leading to WRC-15”;
  • Preliminary draft new Report F.[IMT 3 400-4 200 MHz SHARING] “Sharing and compatibility between IMT systems and fixed service systems in the frequency range 3 400-4 200 MHz”;
  • Working document toward a preliminary draft new Report ITU-R F.[IMT 4 400-4 990 MHz SHARING AND COMPATIBILITY] “Sharing and compatibility study between IMT systems and point-to-point fixed wireless systems in the bands 4 400-4 500 MHz and 4 800-4 990 MHz”;
  • Preliminary draft new REPORT ITU-R M.[AERO-IMT.SHARING.C-BAND] “Sharing and compatibility studies between aeronautical mobile/ground mobile applications and potential IMT systems in the 4 400-4 990 MHz band”;
  • Preliminary draft new Report ITU-R RA.[RAS-IMT] “Compatibility and sharing studies between the radio astronomy service and IMT systems in the frequency bands 608-614 MHz, 1 330-1 400 MHz, 1 400-1 427 MHz, 1 610.6-1 613.8 MHz, 1 660-1 670 MHz, 2 690-2700 MHz, 4 800-4990 MHz and 4 990-5 000 MHz”;
  • Preliminary draft new Report ITU-R M.[RLAN5GHz.SHAR] “Compatibility studies between radio local area network and radiolocation systems in the frequency range 5 350-5 470 MHz”;
  • Preliminary draft new Report ITU-R M.[5 350 MHz AERO] “Compatibility studies between radio local area network systems and aeronautical airborne radar systems in the frequency range 5 350-5 470 MHz”;
  • Preliminary draft new Report ITU R RS.[EESS RLAN 5 GHz] “Sharing studies between RLAN and EESS (active) systems in the frequency range 5 350-5 470 MHz”
  • Draft new Report ITU-R [C-BAND UPLINK] “Sharing and compatibility between IMT systems and fixed-satellite service networks in the frequency range 5 850-6 425 MHz”;
  • Preliminary draft new Report ITU-R F.[IMT 5 925-6 425 MHz SHARING] “Sharing and compatibility study between indoor IMT small cells and fixed service stations in the frequency range 5 925-6 425 MHz”.
  1. Methods to Satisfy the Agenda Item

The following methods are being considered by JTG 4-5-6-7 to satisfy this agenda item which will be applied to all potential candidate bands, pending on the determination of the list of potential candidate bands:

Method A – No change.

Method B – Make an allocation to the mobile service on a primary basis (either by new allocation or upgrade of an existing secondary allocation) with a view to facilitate the development of terrestrial mobile broadband applications.

Method B1 – Make an allocation to the mobile service on a primary basis in the Table of Frequency Allocations.

Method B2 – Make an allocation to the mobile service on a primary basis in a footnote.

Method C – To identify the frequency band for IMT either in a new or existing footnote. This Method can be applied individually if there is already a primary mobile allocation or in conjunction with Method B.

In addition, any condition of use specific to a band will be described under the specific frequency band under Methods B and/or C, if necessary.

  1. Preliminary New Zealand Position

New Zealand supports the work of JTG 4-5-6-7 on Agenda item 1.1 and supports the identification of new spectrum for international mobile telecommunications on a worldwide basis. The identification of lower, rather than higher frequency bands is preferred from a coverage, and therefore economic benefit, point of view, considering that other factors with regard to safety to radionavigation in accordance with No. 4.10 of Radio Regulations may need to be taken into account.

New Zealand supports the following bands as candidate bands for IMT on a worldwide basis as these bands are already identified for IMT in New Zealand: 698-790 MHz and 3 400-3 600 MHz#1.

New Zealand supports JTG 4-5-6-7 sharing/compatibility studies for portions or the entire of the following bands as potential candidate bands for IMT: 1 350-1 525 MHz#2 (except 1 400-1 427 MHz) and 2 025-2 110 / 2 200-2 290 MHz.

New Zealand opposes the following bands to be identified as candidate bands for IMT: 470-694/8 MHz, 1 300-1 350 MHz, 1 695-1 710 MHz, 2 700-3 300 MHz, 3 600-4 200 MHz, 4 400-4 990 MHz, 5 350-5 470 MHz and 5 850-6 725 MHz.

NOTE #1:

For the band 3 400-3 600 MHz, it is noted that amateur operators are currently allowed to operate in 3 400-3 410 MHz, in accordance with General User Radio Licence for Amateur Radio Operators in New Zealand, where amateur operators must accept interference from, and must not cause interference to, other services.

NOTE #2:

For the band 1 350-1 400 MHz, it is noted that primary surveillance radar systems are operational within proximity to New Zealand airports in the frequency range of 1 240-1 375 MHz. Such systems are expected to be continually operational until the end of year 2021 and to be replaced with similar radar systems thereafter. If any frequency in the range 1 350-1 375 MHz is to be considered as "suitable frequency ranges" for IMT, the clearance of this sub-band, or portion of this sub-band, would need to recognise the timing of a transition process. Any reallocation process should identify appropriate interference mitigation techniques, including but not limited to frequency and geographical separation to protect incumbent radar systems.

For the band 1 427-1 525 MHz, it is noted that the frequency range of 1 461.5-1 490 MHz is currently unused but New Zealand does have a significant number of existing fixed services and customer multi-access radio (CMAR) networks in adjacent bands of 1 427-1 461.5 MHz and 1 490-1 525 MHz. If any frequencies below 1 461.5 MHz and/or above 1 490 MHz are to be considered as “suitable frequency ranges” for IMT, New Zealand may consider a transition process for some sub bands. Actual use of any IMT systems in these adjacent bands would need to recognise the timing of such transition process.

  1. Proposed Modifications to APT Preliminary Views on WRC-15 Agenda item 1.1

New Zealand proposes the following modifications in track changes to APT Preliminary Views on WRC-15 Agenda item 1.1:

______

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 bands for additional identification for IMT, APT Members support results of 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 and resolves of Resolution 233 (WRC-12);
  • the need for harmonisation of spectrum bands to facilitate global roaming and to achieve economies of scale for IMT equipment development;
  • safety to radionavigation in accordance with No. 4.10 of the Radio Regulations;
  • 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 already having 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 ITUR for 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

  • the following bands are supported as candidate bands for IMT: [698-790 MHz, 3 400-3 600 MHz, …]
  • the following bands, or portion of the bands, are subject to further consideration taking into account results of JTG 4-5-6-7 sharing/compatibility studies: [1 350-1 525 MHz (excluding 1 400-1 427 MHz), 2 025-2 110 / 2 200-2 290 MHz, …]
  • the following bands are not suitable for IMT: [470-694/698 MHz, 1 300-1 350 MHz, 1 695-1 710 MHz, 2 700-3 300 MHz, 3 600-4 200 MHz, 4 400-4 990 MHz, 5 350-5 470 MHz, 5 850-6 725 MHz, …]

______

WRC-15 Agenda item 1.2

“to examine the results of ITUR studies, in accordance with Resolution 232 (WRC12), on the use of the frequency band 694-790MHz by the mobile, except aeronautical mobile, service in Region1 and take the appropriate measures"

  1. Background

Studies on this agenda item have continued by JTG 4-5-6-7. As a result of the JTG 4-5-6-7 meeting in February 2014, a liaison statement (Document 5D/619) was sent to WP 5D indicated that the JTG 4-5-6-7 studies on adjacent band compatibility at the 694 MHz boundary have been based on a frequency separation of 9 MHz above that boundary, so JTG 4-5-6-7 requested that WP 5D should develop a channelling arrangement that starts at 703 MHz.

Considering the advice received from JTG 4-5-6-7, it is noted that the proposed channeling frequency arrangements currently developed in WP 5D under sub-options 2.2 (a) & (b) are possible to achieve harmonisation with the APT 700 MHz band plan by utilising the same lower duplexer in 3GPP Band 28.

The following proposed channeling frequency arrangements are extracted from the working document towards a preliminary draft new Report ITU-R M.[IMT.ARRANGEMENTS], as contained in Attachment 4.5 within Chapter 4 of WP 5D Chairman’s Report (Document 5D/615):

  1. Preliminary New Zealand Position

New Zealand being a Region 3 country does not have a position as Agenda item 1.2 is on the use of the frequency band 694–790 MHz by the mobile, except aeronautical mobile, service in Region 1. However, if appropriate, New Zealand may encourage Region 1 countries to consider harmonisation with APT 700 MHz band plan in order to promote economies of scale for equipment compatible with 3GPP Band 28.

  1. Proposed Modifications to APT Preliminary Views on WRC-15 Agenda item 1.2

New Zealand proposes the following modifications in track changes to APT Preliminary Views on WRC-15 Agenda item 1.2:

______

APT preliminary views:

  • Any possible regulatory actions under Agenda item 1.2 should be limited to Region 1.
  • APT members support the studies being conducted in ITU-R in accordance with Resolution 232 (WRC-12).
  • In the decisions of WRC-15 on Agenda Item 1.2, the integrity of GE-06 Agreement (in relation to I.R Iran) needs to be ensured.
  • No constraint should be caused to services allocated on a primary basis to administrations in Region 3.
  • Necessary action to be taken with a view to include the allocation of 694-790 MHz referred to in Agenda item 1.2 in Article 5 of Radio Regulations, as appropriate, based on the result of compatibility and sharing studies together with appropriate regulatory procedures.
  • In so doing, global harmonisation of the channelling arrangement for the mobile service need to be explored and adopted in the band below 790 MHz, to the extent feasible and compatible with 3GPP Band 28, taking into account channeling arrangements in the band 698-806 MHz as contained in Recommendation ITU-R M.1036.
  • It is noted that some parts of “APT preliminary views”, above in relation toRegion 1are outside the responsibility of Region 3.

______

WRC-15 Agenda Item 1.3

“to review and revise Resolution 646 (Rev.WRC-12) for broadband public protection and disaster relief (PPDR), in accordance with Resolution 648 (WRC-12)"

  1. Background

The benefits of regionally or internationally harmonized frequency bands have been documented in Resolution 646 (Rev.WRC-12) and in many studies and reports.

In emergency and disaster relief situations, New Zealand acknowledges the benefits of spectrum harmonisation include enhanced cross-border circulation of equipment and increased potential for interoperability of communications when a country receives assistance from other nations.

It is expected that narrowband PPDR technology will continue to play an important role in the medium term (i.e. at least in the next 10-15 years). Notwithstanding that future broadband technology is expected to be able to include voice requirements as additional feature. Its implementation is however depending on national decisions. It was recognised, that the broadband PPDR needs vary to a significant extent, regardless whether the operation and/or the ownership of the PPDR network is in governmental or commercial hand (or a mixture of both - hybrid).

The following bands are considered for potential use by regionally harmonised PPDR in Region 3 in accordance with Resolution 646 (Rev.WRC-12): 406.1-430 MHz, 440-470 MHz, 806-824/851-869 MHz, 4 940-4 990 MHz and 5 850-5 925 MHz.

It is noted that the 806-824/851-869 MHz band is consistent with (but 1 MHz wider than) the 3GPP operating band class 27 in the band 807-824/852-869 MHz, whereas the 806-824/851-869 MHz band also overlaps with a portion of 3GPP operating band class 26 (814-849/859-894 MHz) and class 18 (815-830/860-875 MHz) as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1: 3GPP band classes in 800 MHz band

  1. Sharing Studies

To date, Working Parties 5A and 5D are progressing on their work in developing the following documents addressing the current and future use of narrow-, wide- and broadband technologies for PPDR services and applications:

  • Working document towards preliminary draft new Report ITU-R M.[PPDR] “Public Protection and Disaster Relief”;
  • Working document toward the preliminary draft revision of Recommendation ITU-R M.2009 “Radio interface standards for use by public protection and disaster relief operations in some parts of the UHF band in accordance with Resolution 646 (Rev WRC-12)”;
  • Working document toward a preliminary draft revision of Recommendation ITU-R M.2015 “Frequency arrangements for public protection and disaster relief radiocommunication systems in UHF bands in accordance with Resolution 646 (Rev.WRC-12)”;
  • Draft new Report ITU-R M.[IMT.Broad.PPDR] “The use of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) for broadband public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) applications”, which has been approved and published as Report ITU-R M.2291.
  1. Methods to Satisfy the Agenda Item

The following methods are currently being considered by WP 5A to satisfy this agenda item:

Method A – Editorial updating to Resolution 646 (Rev.WRC-12)

No change will be made to Resolution 646 (Rev.WRC-12), other than editorial amendments to Footnote 1 of Resolution 646 (Rev.WRC-12), and the text surrounding it, and updated references to ITU-R Reports. The broadband PPDR requirements will be addressed through ITU-R studies appropriately.

Method B – Modify Resolution 646 (Rev.WRC-12)

Requirements of broadband PPDR would be addressed in the revision of Resolution 646 (WRC-12) appropriately.

Considering the growing use of mobile broadband communications, including mobile video applications, additional spectrum for PPDR mobile broadband is needed, so that administrations may assign RF spectrum for broadband PPDR. Spectrum below 1 GHz is suitable for such applications, despite the current broadcasting primary status throughout Region 1. Moreover, spectrum may also be needed for broadband PPDR at frequencies above 1 GHz bands, in order to combine RF spectrum with good coverage and penetration characteristics (below 1 GHz), together with RF spectrum (above 1 GHz) that adds capacity. Common RF spectrum will enable efficient deployment and will ease coordination and harmonisation between different PPDR agencies and will advance international aid during disasters and major events. In addition to the benefits of scale production, regional harmonisation will improve inter-operability among first responders and will drive suitable devices and standards dedicated to broadband PPDR.

Method C – Modify Resolution 646 (Rev.WRC-12), excluding PPDR frequencies through non-mandatory reference to Recommendation ITU-R M.2015

Requirements of broadband PPDR would be addressed in the revision of Resolution 646 (WRC-12) appropriately.