Harmonising Spectrum for Low Power Radio Devices

1. Harmonising SpectrumforLow Power Radio Devices Bob Barron Head of Technology Sectors Unit Radiocommunications Agency

2. Spectrum Harmonisation • Advantages of harmonisation for Low Power Radio • European harmonisation forums • Developing a UK Position • Hot issues • Proposed Changes to UK Exemption Regulations

3. Harmonisation: the basics Reaching international agreement on common……. • technical standards • frequency band limits • regulations concerning use

4. Harmonisation: the advantages • for industry: • larger potential product market • for users: “cross border” mobility • for regulators: improved spectrum efficiency  Particularly appropriate/ advantageous for “de-regulated” uncoordinated (ubiquitous) low power devices

5. The relevant European forums Technical Standards Spectrum Management TC ERM Task Groups TG 11- Wide Band Data Systems TG 17 - Broadcasting and Ancillaries TG 28 - Generic SRD* TG 29 - Road Transport & Telematics* TG 30- Wireless Medical Devices* TG 31- Ultra Wide Band & Radar* *Formerly RP08 Working Group FM Working Group RR Working Group SE Project Team SE24 SRD Maintenance Group

6. CEPT Working Groups • Radio Regulatory WGRR • Frequency Management WGFM • Spectrum Engineering WGSE • Conference Preparatory CPG (WRC2003) In addition, there are a number of Project teams associated with, and reporting to, the Working Groups. These deal with specific issues (e.g. WGSE PT SE24 for SRDs)

7. CEPT Project Team SE24 Reports to CEPT Working Group Spectrum Engineering • PT membership includes administrations and industry • Supports WG FM activities on SRDs • Undertakes SRD compatibility studies • Commissions any necessary practical work • Works closely with the ERO SRD Maintenance Group

8. European Radiocommunications OfficeSRD Maintenance Group • Maintains ERC Recommendation 70-03 • Proposes band plans • Develops ERC (ECC) Decisions on SRDs

9. ERC Recommendation 70-03Relating to the Use of Short Range Devices Sets out common spectrum allocations for SRDs: • Appendix 1: Specific applications & technical parameters • Appendix 2: Relevant ERC Decisions & ETSI Standards • Appendix 3: National Restrictions ERC Rec 70-03 must be continually maintained to keep pace with changing requirements and moves towards increased harmonisation of SRD allocations & regulations

10. ERC (ECC) Decisions on SRDsERC/DEC (01)01 to ERC/DEC(01)18 inclusive Total 18 new Decisions agreed in 2001, covering: • Non specific SRDs • Radio LANs • Movement Detection / Alert • Alarms • Model Control • Inductive applications • Medical Implants • Wireless Audio • Decisions based heavily on ERC Rec 70-03 • UK Committed to implementing them all

11. RA / LPRA Forum • Meets quarterly; • Briefs LPRA council members on regulations; • Briefs RA officials on industry requirements; • Informs RA spectrum policy committee • Facilitated by RA2/Technology Sectors Unit (TSU)

12. RA Technology Sectors Unit (a brief commercial interlude!) The RA Business Unit for Low Power Radio Represents SRD interests within the Agency and also responsible for…….. • Processing of allTest & Development Licence applications • All policy issues concerning implementation of RTTE Directive

13. RA Technology Sectors Unit Publications • Low Power Devices Information Sheet - RA114 • Test & Development Application Form- RA382 • RTTE UK SRD Interface Requirements - IR2030 Available today at the RA Stand, or from www.radio.gov.uk

14. The RTTE DirectiveA harmonised solution to equipment conformity Telecommunication Conformity Assessment & Market Surveillance Committee (TCAM) • “Class A” Equipment requires no Notification • Proposed extension of Class A to more SRDs • But restricted due to limited spectrum harmonisation • Referred by TCAM to SRD Maintenance Group

15. Harmonisation: current “hot topics” • Duty Cycles in “400 MHz” SRD bands • Ultra Wide Band • technical compatibility • regulations • 862 - 870 MHz Review • A new allocation for RFID? • Introduction of FHSS • narrow / wide band channels

16. UHF Duty Cycles • Objective is to: • Minimise probability of co-channel interference • Maximise use, and improve access to band Current proposal: 433.05 434.2 434.79

17. Ultra Wide Band • A promising innovation • Many potential commercial applications • Solution to spectrum shortage in certain areas? • Very low average power (cumulative effects?) • Certainly justifies further consideration But need to protect existing users…….

18. UWB Study • Any UWB regulations need to be decided at European level • First phase of study defined by CEPT PT SE24 • Practical compatibility tests carried out by RA in support of SE24 • C/I determined, using proprietary UWB, for a range of services: • DVB-T • T-DAB • GSM • Bluetooth SE24 Study Report, including protection distances based on RA test results, to be presented at a proposed ERO sponsored UWB Workshop in March 2002.

19. 862 - 870 MHz review Borne out of ERO Detailed Spectrum Investigation Phase III…….. • Consultation on future industry requirements • bandwidths • power levels • duty cycles • access technologies • Main area of consideration is 865 - 868 MHz (ex CT2) • Need for compatibility studies to verify any bandplans: • introduction of spread spectrum • possible RFID allocation • Networks & Third Party Traffic?

20. UK Licence Exemption Regulations Statutory Instrument SI 930 1999 • All use of radio subject to individual licensing (WT Act) • Except certain (generally low power) devices • Exempt devices must conform to RTTE Directive • But Exemption in SI 930 1999 does not apply…. “……to relevant apparatus”…….. “by means of which a telecommunication service is provided by way of business to another person” i.e. no commercial third party traffic!

21. Exemption RegulationsThe rationale for proposed changes • Market demand for broadband public access (particularly in “hot spots” such as airport lounges) • Advent of “polite” access technologies • Recommendations of 5GHz Advisory Group (particularly public & private use) N.B. also a recent European Commission Licensing Committee initiative to determine member states’ regulatory policy concerning Public Access Broadband R-LAN Services

22. Licence Exempt Public Services? NATIONAL CONSULTATION • Published 19th October • Replies by 11th January • Available on RA Website

23. National Consultation Three regulatory scenarios………. ………..and nine questions.

24. National ConsultationThe three regulatory scenarios • Maintain “status quo” (no public services without a licence) • Some public use but with a light regulatory regime (e.g. indoor use only?) • Licence Exempt Public Services (public & private use of certain bands without licence)

25. National ConsultationThe nine questions Covering: • potential gains & benefits • interference to existing users • congestion • channel access techniques • types of commercial services envisaged • quality of service in de-regulated spectrum • suitability of specific bands • potential problems • timescales LPRA members views on these and any other relevant issues raised by the proposals will be particularly welcome! CLOSING DATE: 11TH JANUARY 2002

26. Thank you! bob.barron@ra.gsi.gov.uk