INNOVATIONS IN SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT FOR SMALL OPERATORS AND COMMUNITY NETWORKS - Presentation Carlos Rey-Moreno - Project Coordinator, Association for Progressive Communications

1. Innovations in Spectrum Management for Small
Operators and Community Networks
Dr. Carlos Rey-Moreno
carlos@apc.org
CC by Shaun Pather

2. Mobile Subscriber Growth Slowing
Source: GSMA Intelligence
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 2
CC by @stevesong

3. 2018
Connect Africa
Summit 3

4. UNLICENSED SPECTRUM
(WIFI)
Opportunity
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 4

5. Unlicensed Spectrum Growth
CC by @stevesong
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 5

6. Growth of Unlicensed Spectrum Use
CC by @stevesong
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 6

7. WiFiCC by @stevesong
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 7

8. Zenzeleni Networks (South Africa)
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 8
● 2 USD/day – 22% disposible income in comms
● More than 10,000 unique devices & 10 business in rural Eastern Cape

9. 2018
Connect Africa
Summit 9
2400 – 2483.5 MHz 5150 – 5250 MHz 5250 – 5350 MHz 5470 – 5600 MHz 5600 – 5650 MHz 5650 – 5725 MHz 5725 – 5850 MHz
EIRP Tx Power EIRP Tx Power EIRP Tx Power EIRP Tx Power EIRP Tx Power EIRP Tx Power EIRP Tx Power
Mexico 33 dBm in PtP 30
dBM in PtMP
27 dBm in PtP
24 dBm in PtMP
23 dBm 17 dBm 30 dBm 24 dBm 30 dBm 24 dBm 30 dBm 24 dBm 36 dBm 30 dBm
South
Africa
20 dBm 23 dBm 20 dBm 30 dBm 30 dBm 36 dBm (PtP
53 dBm)
30 dBm
Brazil 36 dBm 30 dBm 23 dBm 23 dBm 30 dBm 24 dBm 30 dBm 24 dBm 36 dBm 30 dBm
Argentina 36 dBm 30 dBm 23 dBm 17 dBm 36 dBm 30 dBm 36 dBm 30 dBm 3 6 dBm 30 dBm 36 dBm (53
dBm for PtP
links up to
5.825 GHZ)
30 dBm
United
States
36 dBm in PtMP.
PtP of 1 dBm
less in TxPower
per 3 dBi increase
in antenna gain
above 6 dBm
30 dBm 36 dBm in
PtP & 53 in
PtMP
30 dBM 30 dBm 24 dBm 30 dBm 24 dBm 30 dBm 24 dBm 30 dBm 24 dBm 36 dBm in
PtMP and no
limit in the
Antenna
Gain in PtP
30 dBm
India 36dBm 30 dBm 20 dBm 20dBm 20 dBm & 36
dBm (5.825
to 5.875
GHz)
30 dBm
(5.825 to
5.875
GHz)
Canada 36 dBm in PtMP
and no limit in the
Gain in PtP
30dBm 23 dBm
indoor only
30 dBm 24 dBm 30 dBm 24 dBm 30 dBm 24 dBm 36 dBm in
PtMP and no
limit in the
Gain in PtP
30 dBm
● Wi-Fi has two important but separate purposes: PtP and PtMP.
● More granular approach to regulation which recognises the need for higher power
output levels for PtP links.
● Review power output levels for Wi-Fi. Allowed power output levels for Wi-Fi vary
● substantially across countries. Many developing countries have unnecessarily
restrictive power limits for Wi-Fi
Power Limits in WiFi

10. FCC discussing expansion
of the unlicensed bands
Additionally exploring expansion into
5.925-6.425 GHz and 6.425-7.125 GHz bands
Source FCC 13-22
Source Notice of Inquiry, GN Docket No. 17-183
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 1
0

11. 2018
Connect Africa
Summit 11
24.05 – 24.25 GHz 57 -64 GHz 64 - 71 GHz 71 – 76 GHz 81-86 GHz
EIRP Tx Power EIRP Tx Power EIRP Tx Power EIRP Tx Power EIRP Tx Power
Mexico 82 dBm (if gain less
than 51dBi, 2 dBm
less TxPower per
each dBi below)
85 dBm 35 dBm 85
dBm
35 dBm
South
Africa
55 dBm (40dBm up
to 66 GHz)
10 dBm
Brazil
Argentina 40 dBm
United
States
Gain must
be at least
33 dBi
0 dBm 82 dBm (if gain less
than 51dBi, 2 dBm
less TxPower per
each dBi below)
82 dBm (if gain
less than 51dBi,
2 dBm less
TxPower per
each dBi below)
India
Canada Gain must
be at least
33 dBi
0 dBm
mmWave license-exempt
● Fiber-like, high capacity alternatives for few km.
● Bands for backhaul links such as 24 GHz and 60 GHz should be examined for
their potential to offer low-cost, high-capacity wireless infrastructure
● Limited capacity to interfere with other links, extending the maximum power limits
and reducing barriers to use should be considered.

12. DYNAMIC SPECTRUM
Opportunity
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 12

13. Allows for the dynamic re-use of spectrum without
interfering with the primary spectrum holder
Ideal for rural access
Low television spectrum occupancy in Africa
No re-allocation of spectrum required
Television White Spaces
CC by @stevesong
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 13

14. Free Space Loss
In real conditions in South Africa, a link at 470 MHz is 15.5 Km longer
than a link at 2.4 GHz and 5.5 Km longer than a link at 5.8 GHz
In the same conditions, a link at 470 MHz is 11.5 Km longer than a
link at 5.8 GHz and 7.5 Km longer than a link at 2.4 GHz
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 14

15. Radio Attenuation in Vegetation
Rec. ITU-R P.833-7
4 times less attenuation in 470 MHz compared to 2.4 GHz, 16 times
less compared to 5.8 GHz
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 15

16. UHF Spectrum Occupancy in Africa
43.00%
39.00%
9.00%
9.00%
Television Spectrum Occupancy in African Countries in 2012
1-2 TV Channels
3-9 TV Channels
10-19 TV Channels
20+ TV Channels
Source: Balancing Act
Presentation to African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Digital Migration Summit (May 2014)
http://www.atu-uat.org/index.php/download-categories/category/10-afriswog-events?download=299:session-3-ppt-1-balancing-act-presentation
CC by @stevesong
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 16

17. Dynamic Spectrum in Africa
2012 – 2018
Africa countries
leading the world in
deployments
Opportunity to use
fallow UHF spectrum
to connect under-
served communities
Progress in 2018
 Mozambique
 South Africa
CC by @stevesong
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 17

18. LOW-COST GSM
Opportunity
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 18

19. 4km measurement / rural Eastern Cape
80km measurement / along the N2 (EC)
1.4 MHz empty
all over!
10 MHz empty in
deep rural!
Monitoring Spectrum Use
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 19

20. Monitoring Spectrum Use
80km measurement / along the N2 (EC)
4km measurement / rural Eastern Cape
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 20

21. Spectrum Assignments
? ?
? ?
? ?
CC by @stevesong
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 21

22. Rhizomatica (Mexico)
Mexico – In 2015 IFETEL set
aside 2x5MHz in the
850MHz band for Social
Purpose Licencees.
With 2x2 MHz Rhizomatica
has enabled 14 communities
to provide themselves with
voice services, reaching 60+
villages (3500 users daily)
SMMEs like Zenzeleni “only”
need a spectrum licence
(exemption) – Spectrum fees
are affordable
From 22% to 3% of disposable
income
2018
Connect Africa
Summit 22

23. Innovations in Spectrum Management for Small
Operators and Community Networks
Dr. Carlos Rey-Moreno
carlos@apc.org
CC by Shaun Pather