3.4GHz - Crown Recognised Spectrum Access

Ofcom has published a statement and consultation on its intention to grant Recognised Spectrum Access (RSA) for Crown bodies in the 3400 – 3480 MHz and 3500 – 3580 MHz frequency ranges.

Before RSA can be granted, new regulations need to be made. Ofcom has published a statutory notice of its intention to make these regulations.

The statement notes concerns that have been raised by stakeholders in the previous 3.4GHz consultation. Among them are:

"[With regards to amateur use], our prime interest is in maximum protection and our own development in the 3400-3410MHz subsection of the Amateur 3400-3475MHz allocation. This allocation though on a Secondary basis is based on ITU RR footnote and is also subject to CEPT ECA allocation footnote EU17."

and

"The document does not appear to consider any specific measures to protect Defence and Amateur use of the lower 3410-3480 block edge (as opposed to other block boundaries) In addition there is no significant detail of potential geographic restrictions in the consultation."

To which Ofcom replies

"We expect amateur use to continue under current conditions i.e. secondary use. Specifically, the MOD has indicated that the basis for sharing between the MOD and radio Amateurs is a regular dialogue with the Radio Society of Great Britain, the representative body for radio Amateurs and that it is expected that this relationship will continue."

and

"The characteristics of the military applications below 3410 MHz are confidential to the MOD for national security reasons, so it is not possible for us to define measures for their protection. We expect the MOD to specify such measures at the time of the release Amateur use is on a secondary basis and will remain so with the introduction and trade of RSA. Geographical restrictions in the band will be needed to protect military use and for national security reasons. We expect the MOD to detail the restrictions at the time of release."

Ofcom invites comments on the questions raised in this consultation, to be submitted to Ofcom by 5pm on 28 January 2011. An online form is available.

Both the statement and the statutory notice along with details on how to respond are available here:
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/crown-rsa/

Previous 3.4GHz consultation
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/3_4ghz

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