Report of Spectrum Management Committee

Appendices

Appendix A
(Refers to para 1.8)

LIST OF SPECIALISTS CONSULTED

Appendix B
(Refer to Para 1.8)

INDUSTRY SUMISSIONS ON SPECTRUM : VISION 2008

INTRODUCTION

1.    Radio Spectrum is a very valuable but finite resource, the demand for which is growing enormously due to both increasing communication needs and the impact of new technologies.

India is greatly lagging behind even comparable developing economies in the matter of telecommunication facilities, a large part of which depends on the use of radio spectrum.

2.    Teledensity in India is today about 2.0% fixed telephone density plus about 0.1% mobile teledensity and these levels are way below the current world average of about 14% fixed teledensity & 4% mobile teledensity. Even in other developing economies the situation is significantly better than in India :

TELEDENSITY - DECEMBER 1997
(% AGE PENETRATION)

3.    China which is adding over 11 Million phones this year alone to reach mobile tele-density of 2.5% has allocated 250 MHz of spectrum in 800/1800 MHz band for cellular/ WLL services even though their Govt. requirements of spectrum are no less than ours. It may also be noted that the spectrum allocated in these countries is far more than in India.

4.    Global trends in cellular and fixed line growth indicate that the cellular subscriber base will outstrip the fixed line base by year 2010. Inspite of sharp rise in global cellular subscribers, the cellular penetration in India has been much lower than the other comparative countries over the same time frame from the start of service. While most of the south east Asian countries on an average achieved a penetration of about 1.0% in the third year of service the cellular penetration rate in India in the third year of service has been way below 0.1%.

5.    Studies have shown that increase in tele-density has a three-fold impact on GDP growth i.e. every percent in tele-density leads to a three percent increase in GDP growth.

6.    Efficient use and planning of the radio spectrum is a key factor in increase of teledensity and growth of GDP. For example, studies by the Radio Communication Agency (RCA) of UK (RCA is the counter part of our WPC) in 1997 have shown that radio spectrum is not only continuing to make significant contributions to the GDP of UK but that it is growing at a faster rate than the UK economy as a whole. The findings showed that in 95/96, spectrum contributed stg.pds. 13 billion to the UK's GDP.

7.    To facilitate accelerated economic development, India therefore needs to aggressively increase tele-density through adequate radio spectrum for telecommunication purposes. Fixed and mobile wireless communication networks can be rolled out more expeditiously than wireline networks and also involve less investments. Hence it is appropriate for India to accord a high priority to wireless communication services.

8.    In India, there is also a heavy demand on radio spectrum for military applications and this area can also not be compromised from the point of view of national security. Hence any spectrum policy for India needs to strike a judicious balance between the two requirements.

9.     Technology Trends : The path to IMT-200 would be clearer after the next ITU deliberations in early 1999. However the spectrum has already been recommended by WARC 1992.

10.    It is necessary to make available by proper coordination at least 40 MHz in the IMT band latest by year 2003/ 2004. 

GOALS FOR GROWTH OF WIRELESS SERVICES IN THE COUNTRY

11.    The suggested goals for wireless subscribers are :-

SHORT TERM

it should be noted that the wireless subscribers include subscribers of both mobile and fixed networks that are leased on radio spectrum.

Spectrum needs to meet the proposed growth plans

12.    Most countries have permitted only two GSM 900 operators. We would therefore recommend that in GSM 900 MHz only two operators be permitted to ensure adequate spectrum per operator to reduce costs.

Most countries have allocated 12MHz + 12MHz to each GSM operators. It is therefore recommended that each of the existing GSM operators be given total spectrum of 12.0MHz + 12.0MHz to meet the growing traffic and subscriber needs, viz.:to meet :

• High growth in traffic because of new CPP regime, low tariffs and accent on data services

• Higher number of subscribers because of low entry cost

• Reduction in Capital investment and foreign exchange outgo

• Convergence of basic and cellular services

13.    This additional spectrum should be in chunks of 1.25MHz but from a cost effective network planning point, the smallest chunks should be at least 3MHz.

14.    The above would mean that the existing cellular operators would be allowed to expand in the existing 900MHz band and any new operators would be allowed spectrum in 1800MHz only.

15.    The current CDMA spectrum of 824-849 / 869-894 is not fully available because of overlap of 890-894MHz. Additional spectrum is required because of closeness of Trans of CDMA with receive of GSM. This necessitates a minimum of 5MHz guard band between the two services leave only 16MHz for the WLL. This means that not more than two operators would be able to operate.

16.    WLL is the largest growth areas in next 3 to 5 years as most operators will opt for a high % of WLL (50% plus) in the new networks. Given the limited spectrum available in the 800MHz band immediate steps must be taken to provide 20MHz + 20MHz in 1800/1900 MHz bands for WLL without any technology restrictions.

17.    Allocate spectrum of 10MHz + 10MHz for each of the new operators in 1800MHz with a freedom to choose the technology. This should be in chunks of minimum of 3MHz. However, higher contiguous bands would be recommended for efficient deployment.

18.    Steps  may be taken to make available the band 1885 - 2025/2110 - 220 MHz thro' suitable coordination future deployment of IMT - 2000.

SPECTRUM PRICING & AUCTIONS

19.    ITU studies have indicated that spectrum auction is not an appropriate method for allocation of spectrum for telecom services. This has negative impact on users and industry as indicated in also a Canadian study.

20.    The current pricing methodology followed for WPC for private operators, which is in line with the ITU recommendations is recommended as the preferred method of spectrum pricing. However to ensure efficient utilization of the including govt. departments, both commercial and non commercial must pay for the spectrum at same rates just as they pay for other services such as telephones and electricity. However in order to ensure efficient utilization of spectrum, premium may be levied on spectrum allocated in certain commercial bands.

21.    The spectrum charges should only be a small fee  mainly to cover the cost of spectrum management.

22.    The spectrum needs of paging and Radio trunking services should be fully met.

Appendix C
(Refer to Para 1.8)

ROAD MAP OF TECHNOLOGY VISION
DoT PERSPECTIVE

1. Spectrum Requirement of DoT for Mobile Applications

(a) (6.25 + 6.25) MHz - in 890-915 MHz & 935-960 MHz.

(b) (15 + 15) MHz - in 1710-1785 MHz & 1805-1880 MHz.

2. Spectrum Requirement of DoT for Rural Application

(a) 622-712 MHz band for Low Capacity UHF.

(b) 1427-1525 MHz band for C-DOT-PMP (Digital MARR).

(c) 2000-2300 MHz band for Low Capacity Microwave.

(d) 2300-2690 MHz for Possible Growth area for Low Capacity Microwave.

3. Spectrum Requirement for Telecom Sector for Future Technology of Mobile.

(a) IMT-2000 -3^rd Generation Mobile Systems.

(b) Frequency Band -1885-2025 MHz & 2110-2200 MHz.

(c) Systems Specifications -likely to be finalised by ITU by end of 1999.

4. Spectrum Requirement of DoT for Fixed Wireless Access.

(a) (10 + 10) MHz -in 824-845 MHz & 869-890 MHz
(4 MHz is overlapping with GSM Band)

(b) For Both Rural and Urban Application.

(c) (1880-1900 MHz) for DECT (Indigenous technology).

Appendix D
(Refers to para 2.9)

TRANSITION PATH / ROAD MAP FOR GSM CELLULAR AND
WLL TECHNOLOGIES

Appendix E
(Refers to para 6.2)

CONCEPT OF DEFENCE INTEREST ZONE (DIZ)

1. Background. Defence Forces are one of the major users of frequency spectrum in the country not only for strategic and tactical communication networks but also for other operationally vital systems such as Surveillance, Navigation, Fire and Weapon Control, Target Acquisition, Missile Guidance, Electronic Warfare etc. The ‘major user’ concept has worked well for defence forces and such a concept for protecting defence needs should continue. With the rapid development of telecommunications in the country, the overall radio communication environment is changing at an unprecedented fast pace. The speed at which new technologies and new telecommunication radio services are being introduced is further complicating the already complex problems of spectrum management. The demands of larger frequency bands both for civil and military use are on the increase. However, of late, armed forces are feeling a squeeze on their spectrum allocations. While defence welcomes the growth of telecommunication industry in the country and has a past history of accommodating a number of new value added technologies into the bands allotted to defence, at times, it does so by shifting operations, curtailing the usage of the entire bandwidth of the equipment or reducing the number of channels. In order to retain the total flexibility of operations, it is necessary that a "Defence Interest Zone " (DIZ) is created which includes areas around international borders, areas of specific strategic interest in hinterland, oceanic region and island territories.

2. Need for Freedom of Operation. Armed forces perceive that the problem of spectrum management would become much more acute along the international borders, and where major airfields and naval bases are located. During pre-hostilities period and actual operations, concentration of forces increases due to redeployment of forces from other areas. During this period, it is extremely important that armed forces should have total flexibility in use of frequency and have freedom for operation of communication and non-communication equipment over the entire areas in the DIZ.

3. Proposal. The concept of DIZ along international borders and the areas of specific strategic interests in hinterland, oceanic region and island territories area was prepared in 1995, when it was first presented to SACFA. The proposal broadly envisaged the following :-

(a) An area up to a distance of 100 km along the international borders including the coastal areas and areas of specific strategic interest in hinterland, oceanic region and island territories be termed as DIZ.

(b) Defence forces be given an overriding priority over other users in the allotment of frequencies in the DIZ.

(c) Defence forces to coordinate frequency requirements and accord site clearance to all non-security agencies in DIZ even when they fall in the ‘exemption category’ under SACFA norms.

(d) Number of small users be restricted in DIZ.

4. Advantages. The DIZ concept offers the following advantages :-

(a) During operations, in case of need at short notice, WPC will have to contact only major wireless users to meet the additional spectrum requirement, instead of contacting a number of small users, thus saving valuable time.

(b) Armed forces will be able to exploit the full frequency range of equipment without any interference from within.

(c) Minimising the EMI/EMC problem due to reduced number of users, thereby allowing greater degree of freedom for maneuver in the available spectrum.

(d) Freedom in employing and counteracting electronic warfare.

5. Conclusion. The concept of DIZ needs to be given a greater thrust and implemented speedily while formulating the next NFAP. Future wars are likely to be short but intense and delays could cost heavily. With the acceptance of DIZ the nation would be taking a positive step in the right direction for quick response in war. Once the concept is agreed to in principle, further details could be included by the WPC during formulation of the NFAP-2000.