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

ICASA

Notice regarding Final Radio Frequency Assignment Plans for the Frequency Band 406.1 to 410 MHz in terms of Regulation 3 of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015

7. Co-ordination Requirements

 

7.1 Generic indicative coordination threshold for analogue or digital land mobile systems is as follows, based on T/R 25-08 12.

The aim of a coordination threshold is to avoid harmful interference between stations located in neighbouring countries. In order to achieve this, an indicative coordination threshold is established, which should not be exceeded without coordination between neighbouring countries.

 

The indicative coordination threshold for land mobile systems (co-channel, 50% locations, 10% time13, 10 m receiving antenna height, within a reference bandwidth of 25 kHz, at the border-line) is: 20 dB(μV/m).

 

For systems using a channel spacing greater than 25 kHz, the following bandwidth conversion formula can be used provided that the spectral power distribution within this channel spacing is uniform within the channel:

 

BC = 10 x log10 (channel spacing / 25 kHz), dB

 

The value (BC) resulting from the formula should be added to the indicative coordination threshold as listed above.

 

For all other spectral power distributions, indicative coordination threshold levels should be applied within every 25 kHz bandwidth within the channel spacing.

 

7.2 Some information on levels of interference and required separation distances from and to several traditional technologies (narrowband FM, TETRA, CDMA-PAMR, and Flash OFDM) may be found in ECC Report 097 14.
7.2.1 Use of the frequency bands for TETRA 15 shall require coordination with the neighbouring countries within the coordination zones of 50 kilometres from the neighbouring country. The coordination distance is continuously being reviewed and may be updated from time to time.
7.2.1.1 The following field strength thresholds have to be assured. Based on studies (ECC Report 97), the results and observations from these, a single level of - 114.7 dBm (= 14.3 dBμV/m /25 kHz) is proposed as the threshold above bandwidth and refers to a measuring height of 3 metres for duplex bands.
7.2.1.2 Operator-to-operator coordination may be necessary to avoid interference
7.2.2 Annex 2 of ECC/DEC/ (08)/05 16 provides a list of related sharing and compatibility reports.
7.2.2.1 This includes ECC Report 99 17 , which provides information on the impact of TEDS on existing PMR/PAMR systems in the frequency range 380 - 470 MHz.
7.2.2.2 ERC Report 75 18 provides protection distances required between a Two-way pager operating in the 406.1 - 410 MHz Band and a Radio Astronomy site.

 

7.3 As per ECC Report 276 19, “For historical reasons the Recommendation T/R 25-08 defines the trigger value at 10 m height. However, typically 3 m heights are considered for coordination of land mobile systems since the coverage is usually assumed for mobile user equipment. Furthermore, the definition of the trigger value at 3 m height is also easy applicable for drive tests (antenna at a vehicle’s roof). Recalculation of the derived thresholds from 3 m to 10 m height increases the coordination threshold by 15.6 dB”.

 

7.4 Planning characteristics in border areas.

The location, the power, and the antenna heights of all stations in the network should be selected in such a way that their range is confined, as far as possible, to the zone to be covered by the intended service.

Excessive antenna heights and transmitter outputs should be avoided, by using several locations of reduced height wherever possible. In border areas directional antennas should be used in order to minimise the interference potential.

The effective radiated power and the height of the antenna should be as low as possible in relation to the area to be served.

 

7.5 In the event of any interference, the Authority will require affected parties to carry out coordination. If the interference continues to be unresolved after 24 hours, the affected parties may refer the matter to the Authority for a resolution. The Authority will decide the necessary modifications and schedule of modifications to resolve the dispute. The Authority will be guided by the interference resolution process as shown in Appendix B.

 

7.6 Assignment holders shall take full advantage of interference mitigation techniques such as antenna discrimination, tilt, polarisation, frequency discrimination, shielding/blocking (introduce diffraction loss), site selection, and/or power control to facilitate the coordination of systems.

 

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12 Recommendation T/R 25-08: “Planning criteria and cross-border coordination of frequencies for land mobile systems in the range 29.7-470 MHz”, Approved 15 January 1990, Amended 28 September 2018, https://docdb.cept.org/document/909

 

13 In certain situations, the 1%-time curves should be used for digital systems, e.g., to better protect analogue systems.

 

14 ECC Report 097, Cross Border Interference for Land Mobile Technologies, 20 February 2007. https://docdb.cept.org/document/205 .

 

15 Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) overview may be found in ETSI documents, such as ETSI EN 300 392, ETSI ETR 300 and TR 102 300, ETSI EN 300 394-1, ETSI EN 300 395, ETSI EN 300 396.

 

16 The harmonisation of frequency bands for the implementation of digital Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) narrow band and wide band radio applications in bands within the 380 – 470 MHz range. https://docdb.cept.org/download/1574.

 

17 ECC Report 99, TETRA Enhanced Data Services (TEDS): Impact on existing PMR/PAMR and Air Ground Air (AGA) systems in the 400 MHz band, 20 September 2007. https://docdb.cept.org/document/207.

 

18 Narrowband Return Path Two Way Paging Compatibility Studies in the 406.1 - 410 MHz, 440 - 470 MHz and 862 - 871 MHz Bands, May 1999. https://docdb.cept.org/download/2155.

 

19 ECC Report 276 Thresholds for the coordination of CDMA and LTE broadband systems in the 400 MHz band, 27 April 2018. Available online at https://docdb.cept.org/download/1324.