1. Updates on the digital dividend and UWB in the UK and Europe
IEEE802 Interim Meeting Montreal 12th May 2009
Updates on the digital dividend and UWB in the UK and Europe
Andy Gowans, SPG, Ofcom UK
12th May 2009

2. Contents Digital Dividend Cleared Spectrum Cognitive Access UWB
EC Decision
UK Consultation

3. UHF Bands IV and V – original UK plan*
Channel
Frequency
(MHz)
256 MHz of spectrum retained for DTT (32  8 MHz but interleaved capacity available within this)
112 MHz of cleared spectrum (14  8 MHz)
Channel 36 (used for airport radar)
Channel 38 (used for radioastronomy)
Channel 69 (used for programme-making and special events)
* - new proposals to align with European plan currently being consulted upon

4. International and European developments
World Radiocommunication Conference 2007
Primary mobile allocation for MHz in more Region 1 countries from 2009
Primary mobile application for MHz in all Region 1 countries from 2015
European Commission Communication on digital dividend
Proposed identification of common bands for clusters of similar networks
Did not address precise locations of those bands
CEPT band plan
MHz
RSPG Opinion on Cognitive Access
Developments in other European countries

5. Cleared spectrum: harmonised ECC technical conditions
Response to EC Mandate split into 3 parts by CEPT
Development of Protection Criteria for Broadcast and PMSE services
Development of Least Restrictive Technical conditions for ECS
Development of Appropriate Channel Plan (s) for ECS
Draft Response to the Mandate is to be discussed at the next ECC meeting (June 09)
TG4 to develop Protection Criteria
PT1 to develop Channel Plan (s)
SE42 to develop Least Restrictive Technical Conditions
Current Status (May Change)
SE42 are proposing BEM to represent the Technical Conditions
SE42 also recommend 7MHz guard 790MHz for TDD systems
PT1 are proposing FDD plan, 1MHz guard 790MHz 11MHz Duplex Gap
PT1 band plan not mandatory and to allow flexibility
Not all EC Countries are able to clear whole of 790 – 862 MHz
UK following results of ECC/EU work closely but still have all options open.

6. Current Cognitive Access studies in ECC/EC
RSPG are developing a report and an opinion on Cognitive Access including White Space
At their last meeting ECC set up :-
A correspondence group to discuss general issues associated with CR
Instructed WGSE to start up studies looking at the technical issues associated with cognitive access to the White Space bands.
ETSI have set up a TG looking at issues associated with producing CR standards.
Netherlands Antillies have issued a condoc with proposals for managing their white Spaces
SE42 and PT1 work on cleared spectrum may have an impact on CR studies in Europe
UK have issued consultation on White Space but will input to and follow results of ECC/EU work closely but keep options open.

7. European studies and groups
ECC correspondence group and RSPG will look at the regulatory issues associated with implementing CR in the white spaces
Three approaches to cognitive access were suggested in the UK consultation
Sensing
This work is likely to be carried out in the new SE project team (SE43)
Geolocation
New SE project team (SE43) to take lead on technical studies
Not yet decided who will tackle regulatory and management issues
Beacons
New SE project team will take lead on technical studies.

8. Lots of further regulatory and standardisation work is still needed
Who hosts the database?
Who provides the information to populate it?
Who pays?
What protocols are adopted?
Exactly what information is submitted and returned?
Is there a need for international harmonisation?
And many others….

9. It may take years to fully complete the process
This consultation closed at the end of April
Currently analysing responses
Depending on the responses, further consultation may be needed, particularly on geolocation
In parallel work at a European level to develop a harmonised approach – timescales unclear
In due course issue a Statement and Statutory Instrument (exempting cognitive devices from licensing) as appropriate
This timing is appropriate because
Caution is needed before allowing devices that might interfere
The industry is still some way from producing consumer devices

10. Contents Digital Dividend Cleared Spectrum Cognitive Access UWB
EC Decision
UK Consultation

11. European and UK developments for UWB
Amendments to the UWB decision 2007/131/EC were published on the 21/4/09.
Amendments to the previous EC Decision include:
The introduction of a new mitigation technique (TPC) and new limits to allow the use of UWB for both automotive and railway applications.
The introduction of a new mitigation technique DAA to enable higher power usage by UWB devices operating below 4.8GHz and above 8.5 GHz.
The introduction of new limits for Building Material Analysis (BMA) devices.
ETSI still working on amendments to EN v1.1.1 which is the harmonised standard that covers short range UWB devices for communications applications operating in the frequency ranges from 3.4 - 4.8 GHz and 6  GHz. Amendments to include tests and limits for TPC for automotive and railway applications and generic DAA mechanism.
EN is the harmonised standard for Building Material Analysis (BMA) technologies.
Ofcom will publish a consultation very soon on how we intend to implement these changes in the UK law.