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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 1518 to 1525 MHz in terms of Regulation 3 of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015

7. Co-ordination Requirements

 

7.1 Coordination is performed by the Authority during the process of assignment.

 

7.2 The following documents may include information useful for coordination:
7.2.1 ECC Report 263 13, CEPT Report 269 14, CEPT Report 65 15, and Decision (EU) 2018/661 8 regarding compatibility with services operating in the bands 1492 - 1518 MHz, 1427 - 1518 MHz, 1492 - 1517 MHz, and 1452 - 1492 MHz, respectively. Also, Decision (EU) 2018/661 16, ECC/DEC/ (17)06 17, ECC Report 299 18, Recommendation ITU-R M.1036 19. For instance:

 

● ECC Report 263 addressed the compatibility studies between IMT base stations operating below 1518 MHz and MSS land terminals operating above 1518 MHz and states

 

“Based on the final results of its compatibility studies, it is concluded that:

 

• The minimum in-band blocking characteristic for land mobile earth stations receivers from a 5 MHz broadband signal interferer (LTE) operating below 1518 MHz shall be −30 dBm above 1520 MHz;
• The base station unwanted emission limits EIRP for a broadband signal interferer (LTE) operating below 1518 MHz shall be −30 dBm/MHz above 1520 MHz. This figure is 10 dB more stringent than ECC Decision (13)03 due to a different service in the adjacent band.

 

It is noted that the IMT block ends at 1517 MHz.

 

• With 1 MHz frequency separation, the required separation distances range from 435 – 6,100 m for land MESs; from 8,800 – 13,600 m for sea MESs; and from 7,700 – 16,500 m for aircraft MESs.
• With 3 MHz frequency separation, the required separation distances range from 10 – 1,550 m for land MESs; from 400 – 3,400 m for sea MESs; and from 400 – 4,585 m for aircraft MESs.
• With 6 MHz frequency separation, the required separation distances range from 10 – 1,100 m for land MESs; from 300 – 1300 m for sea MESs; and from 300 – 2,000 m for aircraft MESs.”
• The Report 263 also advises on the base station unwanted emission limits per cell above 1,518 MHz, maximum out-of-block EIRP limits for emissions within the band 1,427 – 1,517 MHz per antennas, base station unwanted emission limits per cell above 1,518 MHz for base stations operating in 1,492 - 1517 MHz.
● CEPT Report 269 states
• “Base station power in 1,512 - 1,517 MHz should not exceed 58 dBm/5 MHz EIRP;
• Base station unwanted emissions within 1,427 - 1,517 MHz are defined by the BEM in ECC/DEC/ (13)03; 16.3 dBm/5 MHz EIRP for the first adjacent 5 MHz block, 11 dBm/5 MHz EIRP for the second and 9 dBm/5 MHz EIRP for the third and beyond. It is proposed that this should apply also to emissions from blocks in the frequency band 1,452 – 1,492 MHz for emissions that fall into 1,427 – 1,452 MHz or 1,492 – 1,517 MHz when these are used for MFCN;
• Base station unwanted emissions into the frequency band 1,400 – 1,427 MHz should not exceed -72 dBW/27 MHz;
• Base station unwanted emissions in 1,520 – 1,559 MHz should not exceed -30 dBm/MHz EIRP;
• Base station unwanted emissions in 1,518 – 1,520 MHz should not exceed -0.8 dBm/MHz EIRP “

 

7.2.2 See ECC Report 198 20 for fixed links;
7.2.3 CEPT Recommendation T/R 13-01 E regarding coordination between mobile and fixed services 21; For example, it mentions that “According ERC Report 65 a separation distance of 2 km and a carrier separation of 8.3 MHz is required between FS and MS stations operating in adjacent bands. Therefore, a careful deployment and coordination between MS and FS with channel spacing below 14 MHz is needed.”
7.2.4 ERC/REC 70-03 22 regarding the use of Short Range Devices (SRD), should such be introduced in the 1,518 – 1,525 MHz band in the future;

 

7.2.5 ECC Report 121 23, ECC Report 147 24, and ECC Report 253 25 regarding compatibility with professional wireless microphone systems (PWMS), should such be introduced in the 1518-1525 MHz band in the future; and;

 

7.2.6 ITU Recommendation ITU-R M.1459 and ECC Report 295 26 regarding protection criteria for and coordination between telemetry systems in the aeronautical mobile service and MSS 27, should such be introduced in the 1,518 – 1,525 MHz band in the future.

 

7.3 In the event of any interference, the Authority will require affected parties to carry out coordination. In the event that 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.

 

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

 

7.5 Whenever possible, Cross Border Frequency Coordination will abide by the Harmonised Calculation Method for Africa (HCM4A) Agreement. This follows the 3rd CRASA AGM that agreed that CRASA should implement the Cross Border Frequency Coordination Harmonised Calculation Method for Africa (HCM4A) Agreement.

 

7.6 The ECC had noted the need for greater understanding of the concept and need for harmonisation in the signing of the HCM4A Agreement by the SADC Member States if the implementation of the Agreement was to be effective. The ECC, therefore, agreed to convene a workshop on HCM4A and requested CRASA Members to consider signing the agreement. These activities were part of the Frequency Planning Sub Committee (FPSC) Operations Plan 2015/16.

 

7.7 At the 5th CRASA AGM, Swakopmund, Namibia – 07-08 April 2016 (5), the subject of Cross Border Frequency Coordination using the Harmonised Calculation Method for Africa (HCM4A) was discussed in detail, following similar efforts in Europe. The Resolution CRASA/AGM/15.16/07 stipulates, “The AGM urged CRASA Members to prioritise the motivation to their administrations who are yet to indicate their interest to sign the Harmonised Calculation Method for Africa (HCM4A), to do so as soon as possible”.
7.7.1 Therefore, coordination would follow the HCM4A as detailed in Sub-Saharan Africa Assessment Report on Harmonization of ICT Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa28 (HIPSSA)

 

7.8 A harmonized calculation method (HCM4A) brings these benefits
7.8.1 Based on HCM Agreement used in Europe
7.8.2 Optimise spectrum usage;
7.8.3 Prevent harmful interferences;
7.8.4 Confer an adequate protection for stations;
7.8.5 Define technical provisions and administrative procedures;
7.8.6 Quick assignment of preferential frequencies; Transparent decisions through agreed assessment procedures; Quick assessment of interference through data exchange

 

7.9 HCM4A involves all 4 sub regions of Africa. This means the HCM4A projects include performing a survey and a comparative analysis of existing administrative and technical procedures related to bilateral and multilateral cross-border frequency coordination agreements across the 4 geographical sub-regions as defined by the African Union (AU), namely,
7.9.1 Central Africa: (Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tome, and Principe);
7.9.2 East Africa: (Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda);
7.9.3 Southern Africa: (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe); and
7.9.4 West Africa: (Benin, Burkina-Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Togo).

 

7.10 HCM4A also comes with a software tool for Sub-Saharan Africa29, 30
7.10.1 Optimise spectrum usage by accurate interference field strength calculations;
7.10.2 Establish general parameters, improvement and supplementation of technical provisions, and individual restrictions;
7.10.3 Establish models for computer-aided interference range calculations; and
7.10.4 Harmonise parameters: objectively predictable towards transparent decisions.

 

_____________________________________

13 ECC Report 263 Adjacent band compatibility studies between IMT operating in band 1492-1518 MHz and the MSS operating in 1518-1525 MHz. Approved 03 March 2017 (https://docdb.cept.org/document/967)

 

14 CEPT Report 269 Least restrictive technical conditions for Mobile/Fixed Communications Networks in 1427-1518 MHz. Approved 17 November 2017. Corrected 2 March 2018 (https://docdb.cept.org/document/1017)

 

15 CEPT Report 65. Report from CEPT to the European Commission in response to the Mandate “to develop harmonised technical conditions in additional frequency bands in the 1.5 GHz range for their use for terrestrial wireless broadband electronic communications services in the Union”. Report approved on 17 November 2017 by the ECC. Corrected 2 March 2018 (https://docdb.cept.org/document/1018)

 

16 Decision (EU) 2018/661, Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/661 of 26 April 2018 amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/750 on the harmonisation of the 1452-1492 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Union as regards its extension in the harmonised 1427-1452 MHz and 1492-1517 MHz frequency bands (https://docdb.cept.org/document/8820)

 

17 ECC/DEC/ (17)06, ECC Decision of 17 November 2017 on the harmonised use of the frequency bands 1427-1452 MHz and 1492-1518 MHz for Mobile/Fixed Communications Networks Supplemental Downlink (MFCN SDL), Approved 17 November 2017, Corrected 2 March 2018 (https://docdb.cept.org/document/1016)

 

18 ECC Report 299 Measures to address potential blocking of MES operating in bands adjacent to 1518 MHz (including 1525-1559 MHz) at sea ports and airports (https://docdb.cept.org/document/9066)

 

19 Recommendation ITU-R M.1036 -6 (10/2019): Frequency arrangements for implementation of the terrestrial component of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in the bands identified for IMT in the Radio Regulations (RR) (https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-M.1036)

 

20 ECC Report 198 Adaptive modulation and ATPC operations in fixed point-to-point systems - Guideline on coordination procedures, 16 May 2013 (https://docdb.cept.org/document/305)

 

21 CEPT Recommendation T/R 13-01 E (Recommendation T/R of 1993 on “Preferred channel arrangements for fixed service systems operating in the frequency range 1-2.3 GHz”. 1993. Revised on 5 February 2010) (https://docdb.cept.org/document/868)

 

22 ERC/REC 70-03 ERC Recommendation of 6 October 1997 on relating to the use of Short Range Devices (SRD). Editorial update on 11 February 2022 (https://docdb.cept.org/document/845)

 

23 ECC Report 121 Compatibility studies between Professional Wireless Microphone Systems (PWMS) and other services/systems in the bands 1452-1492 MHz, 1492-1530 MHz, 1533-1559 MHz also considering the services/systems in the adjacent bands (below 1452 MHz and above 1559 MHz). 22 September 2008 (https://docdb.cept.org/document/229)

 

24 ECC Report 147 Additional compatibility studies relating to PWMS in the 1518.1559 MHz excluding the band 1543.45- 1543.95 MHz and 1544-1545 MHz, Tromsø, May 2010 (https://docdb.cept.org/document/256).

 

25 ECC Report 253 Compatibility studies for audio PMSE at 1492-1518 MHz and 1518-1525 MHz, 30 September 2016 (https://docdb.cept.org/document/957)

 

26 ECC Report 295 Guidance on Cross-border coordination between MFCN and Aeronautical Telemetry Systems in the 1429-1518 MHz band. Approved 8 March 2019 (https://docdb.cept.org/document/9070)

 

27 Recommendation ITU-R M.1459-0 (05/2000): "Protection criteria for telemetry systems in the aeronautical mobile service and mitigation techniques to facilitate sharing with geostationary broadcasting-satellite and mobile-satellite services in the frequency bands 1 452-1 525 MHz and 2 310-2 360 MHz" (https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-M.1459-0- 200005-I/en)

 

28 https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Projects/ITU-EC-ACP/HIPSSA/Documents/FINAL%20DOCUMENTS/FINAL%20DOCS%20ENGLISH/hcm4a_agreement.pdf.pdf

 

29 Cross-Border Frequency Coordination: Harmonized Calculation Method for Africa (HCM4A) https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Projects/ITU-EC-ACP/HIPSSA/Documents/FINAL%20DOCUMENTS/FINAL%20DOCS%20ENGLISH/hcm4a_agreement.pdf.pdf

 

30 PowerPoint Presentation (itu.int) https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Regional- Presence/AsiaPacific/Documents/Events/2017/May%20BKK/Presentations/HCM%20and%20HCM4A%20BKK%202017 0504%20IB.pdf