Presentation given at the Radiocomms Connect Exhibition / Conference in Melbourne Novemeber 2010. This Presentation outlines planned changes by the ACMA in the lower microwave frequencies in Australia.

1. ACMA Band Changes to Allow
28MHz Channels for High
Capacity PTP Links at <5GHz
Patrick Hooper
RadioComms Connect Exhibition – Nov 2010

2. Agenda
ACMA Documents
Summary of Changes
Impact of Changes
Benefits on the Changes

3. ACMA Documents
Stakeholder Survey 2006
• http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD..PC/pc=PC_311002
– Survey Released in April 2006
– Consultants Report May 2008
– Spectrum Engineering
IFC 38/2010
• Proposed changes to channel arrangements for fixed point-to-
point links in the lower microwave frequency bands
• http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD..PC/pc=PC_312337
• Released October 2010
• Responses Close 10th December 2010

4. Lower Bands
The lower microwave point-to-point fixed link bands
include the:
• >1.5 GHz (1427-1535 MHz) band;
• >1.8 GHz (1700-1900 MHz) band;
• >2.1 GHz (1900-2300 MHz) band;
• >2.2 GHz (2025-2285 MHz) band; and
• >3.8 GHz (3580-4200 MHz) band
Current Availability

5. 1.5GHz Changes
Proposal
• Low Capacity Point to Point links
• The proposal is to introduce from the ITU-R F.1242
Recommends 3 arrangements:
– 2 x 1 MHz bandwidth channels (paired);
– 4 x 0.5 MHz bandwidth channels (paired);and
– 8 x 0.25 MHz bandwidth channels (paired);
Maybe impacted by LTE services in the future

6. 1.5GHz Changes

7. 1.8GHz Changes
Provide availability for 28 MHz bandwidth systems in the
band, it is proposed to develop arrangements that
provide for five 28 MHz channel pairs

8. 1.8GHz Changes

9. 1.8GHz Changes

10. 2.1/2.2GHz Changes
It is proposed to create two 28 MHz channel pairs
overlaying the 2.1 GHz band
The assignment of these channels will be in competition
for spectrum with new public mobile telecommunications
services (PMTS)
• Telstra and Optus just announced new licensed in these bands
around 2300 licenses

11. 2.1/2.2GHz Changes

12. 2.1/2.2GHz Changes

13. 1.8 / 2.1 / 2.2 Possible Future Issues
Wireless access services in regional and remote areas
as services expand following population growth, PMTS
in the 2 GHz band
The ACMA Five-year Spectrum Outlook 2009-2013
noted that the ACMA is currently investigating spectrum
requirements for GSM-R for modern train protection
systems in the 1.8 GHz band
The bands 1980-2110 MHz and 2170-2300 MHz are
under consideration as options to deliver long term
spectrum arrangements for electronic news gathering
(ENG) as a part of the review of the 2.5 GHz band.
Proposals include providing ENG access in capital cities
and surrounding areas

14. 3.8GHz Changes
Maintain the existing 40 MHz channel plan
Develop new arrangements over channels 1’, 2’, 3’ that
allow the use of TTD point to point links in low and
remote density areas

15. Impact of Changes
More Low Capacity Point to Point link at 1.5GHz
Capability to provide High Capacity (>STM-1) Point to
Point links in remote areas
• 5 x 28MHz Channels in 1.8GHz
• 2 x 28MHz Channels in 2.1/2.2GHz
TDD Links in 3.8GHz

16. Benefits of Changes
A Lower Cost Solution For High Capacity Regional PTP
Backhaul
• Low Frequencies Can Utilize Grid Antennas
– Reduce Tower Requirements
• Low Frequencies Have Excellent Propagation
– Increase Link Distances
– Reduce Number of Towers
Remove Need to Move to 6/7GHz for STM-1