NCC Spectrum Management Workshop Feedback

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• NCC Spectrum Management Workshop Feedback
• 13 July 2009

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Introduction

• CTS is a new operator in the Namibian market, and
  intends to provide broadband wireless services to
  residential and business clientele.
• CTS has been awarded several licenses that will
  allow it to deliver these services.
• CTS in Consultation with Rampoint Communications
  who are assisting us with technical input on
  network design and implementation are working
  hard to reach our targets.
• Rampoint represents several leading wireless
  equipment vendors in the region and has a long
  track record of providing equipment and services
  to the Namibian telecommunications industry.
• Our feedback for this workshop in collaboration
  with our consultants will include Spectrum
  Concerns, Feedback and recommendations on
  frequency bands.

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Spectrum Concerns- 5.x GHz Band

• The main aim of the Consultants is to develop a
  spectrum allocation strategy that will support
  the Governments policy objectives as outlined in
  the ICT Policy with a view to addressing the
  national infrastructure deficit and to promote
  competition in the delivery of services to
  Namibian citizens.
• 3.3.4 ISM Frequency bands (2.4 /5.8 GHz)
• The frequency bands (2400 2500 MHz) (5725
  5875 MHz) are also designated for Industrial,
  Scientific and Medical (ISM) applications in the
  ITU Radio Regulations. Radiocommunication
  services operating in these bands must accept
  harmful interference which may be caused by ISM
  applications. The 2.4 5.8 GHz ISM frequency
  bands are also used for various services such as
  Wireless LAN, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.

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ICT Recommendation

• 3.4.4 5 GHz Frequency band
• The 5 GHz frequency bands are mainly assigned as
  unlicensed spectrum in many countries. In view of
  the fact that there seems to be limited scope for
  a small state like Namibia to establish exclusive
  licenses in bands which are unlicensed
  internationally, we propose that the following
  frequency band should be unlicensed
• 5150-5250 MHz Max EIRP 200 mW, for RLAN,
  restricted to indoor use
• 5250-5350 MHz Max EIRP 200 mW, for RLAN,
  restricted to indoor use
• 5470-5725 MHz Max Tx power 250 mW, max EIRP 1
  W
• We further recommend that Namibia should
  harmonise the use of these frequency bands with
  countries in the SADC to benefit from the
  economies of scale on the RLAN equipment.

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Feedback- 5.x GHz Band

• There exist many technologies which operate in
  the 5.x GHz band, which provide exceptionally
  cost effective connectivity solutions,
  particularly PTP solutions, and which are ideal
  for use by Operators to provide high end access
  and cost effective transmission solutions. These
  technologies typically operate in TDD channels of
  5-40 MHz.
• These types of technologies are in use by
  countries such as South Africa and are type
  approved by Icasa. They are currently used
  primarily for the delivery of high end dedicated
  access services, and rural transmission services
  for GSM and WiMAX technologies. They are deployed
  by some of the biggest operators in SA.
• We request the NCC to allocate a portion of the
  5.x GHz band for licensed use of these
  technologies, and to lift the restriction on EIRP
  and indoor use for a portion of this band. This
  will allow Operators to be able to use cost
  effective technologies to deliver reliable
  connectivity, without having to make use of the
  unregulated ISM bands (or other parts of the 5.x
  GHz bands which have been recommended to be
  license free by the Consultants), which carry an
  inherent risk of interference.
• CTS were already allocated a license in the 5150
  5250 GHz portion of the band, which is intended
  for the use of PTP transmission links. This
  license is contradicted by the recommendation of
  ICT in the current report.

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Feedback- 10.5 GHz Band

• The 10.5, 26 and 28 GHz bands are commonly used
  for LMDS type PTMP technologies, which are used
  to provide high end access and transmission
  solutions by Operators.
• Whilst the report makes reference to the use of
  LMDS PTMP in the 26 GHz band, it does not make
  mention of the use of this technology in the 10.5
  GHz portion of the band.
• We request the NCC to take into account the
  requirement for LMDS services in Namibia, which
  will greatly enhance the ability of Operators to
  be able to provide dedicated broadband and leased
  line solutions to corporate entities, as well as
  provide a cost effective means to backhaul base
  stations with a PTMP solution, as opposed to
  having to use licensed PTP links.
• Being able to deploy PTMP solutions in this band
  will also take some pressure off the congested
  PTP spectrum that will otherwise have to be used.
• The LMDS standard in the 10.5 GHz band is guided
  by standards EN 301753 and EN 301021.
• Spectrum is FDD and is typically allocated in
  3.5, 7 and 14 MHz channels in the following
  bands

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Feedback- 10.5 GHz Band (contd)

• Again, CTS has been granted a license to provide
  LMDS services in the 10.5 Ghz spectrum, which may
  be in contradiction of the recommendation by the
  Consultants.
• We request the NCC to review this and confirm
  CTSs license and channel allocation in this
  band.

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• Thank You!
• Converged Telecommunication Solutions (CTS)