Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (Act No. 36 of 2005)

Regulations

Radio Frequency Spectrum Amendment Regulations, 2021

Part IX - Annexures

Annexure B

Reasons Document for the Annexure B of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations 2015 - December 2021

6. Application-Specific Submissions

6.4. Radiodetermination Application

Purchase

a.	In the draft Annexure B, the bands 3100-3400 MHz, 3400-3800 MHz, 3800-4800 MHz, 6000-8500 MHz and 8500-9000 MHz were proposed for Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) communication devices, all with the prescribed standard EN 302 065.

The band 57-64 GHz was proposed for Level Probing Radar (LPR) equipment with the prescribed standard EN 302 729 without a reference to any Decision or Recommendation.

b.	Submissions received

AMCHAM proposed the equipment category to change from Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) Devices to Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) Application.

AMCHAM and Novelda propose that the standards column could be updated to reflect specific parts of the standard EN 302 065.

Telkom recommends that the sub-bands 3100-3400 MHz, 3400-3800 MHz, 3800-4800 MHz, 6000-8500 MHz, and 8500-9000 MHz be combined in line with REC 70-03 and the necessary technical and operational parameters for the use of each sub-band by UWB devices are specified in detail in REC 70-03. They submit that combining the sub-bands and aligning of the technical and operational parameters is preferred rather than replicating only some of the requirements.

Telkom recommends that a reference to ECC/DEC/(11)02 be added as a reference in Column F as this will assist with the details on power spectral density for the band 57-64 GHz (Level Probing Radars).

c.	The Authority’s Response

The Authority accepted the proposal to change the equipment category from devices to application, however the Authority resolved to adopt the equipment category name Radiodetermination Application as UWB is the applicable technology.

The Authority notes the recommendation to indicate the parts for the Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) standard EN 302 065, however the Authority adopted a format throughout the whole annexure not to indicate the part(s) of the standard(s) as they are already mentioned in the Official List.

The Authority notes the recommendation to combine the UWB bands mentioned above, however Authority maintains the separation of the sub-bands as they indicate the different types of Radiodetermination Applications and specify the respective power limits for each type in accordance with the prescribed standard EN 302 065.

The Authority notes the recommendation regarding the addition of the reference ECC/DEC/(11)02, however the Authority maintains that reference CEPT/ERC/REC 70-03 already contains the Decision ECC/DEC/(11)02, therefore referencing CEPT/ERC/REC 70-03, means the Decision is implied.