Trevor Hawkins M5AKA

New Ofcom Consultation - Loss of Amateur Primary Status at 75.5-76GHz

Ofcom have published proposals to increase the opportunities for broadband fixed wireless services, by opening the 71-76GHz and 81-86GHz bands for licensed use.

What Ofcom are proposing is downgrading the 75.5-76GHz Amateur and Amateur Satellite Allocation from Primary to Secondary status.

News release:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2006/05/nr_20060524

Consultation:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/71-86ghz/

The consultation document says:

2.11 The radio amateur allocations in the 75.5-76GHz band have recently been the topic of discussion with respect to the 79GHz automotive short range radar consultation;
"Notice of Ofcom's proposal to exempt automotive short range radar users at 79GHz from Wireless Telegraphy licensing" published on 9th December 2004. During this consultation, comments were received from several respondents requesting that the Radio Amateur allocations should remain in this band on a primary basis.

Ofcom believes that while the Amateur Radio allocations should remain in the band after 31st December 2006, it would not be practical to allow this operation on a co-primary basis. Ofcom therefore proposes to continue to allow the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite allocations after 31st December 2006 in the 75.5-76GHz band but on a secondary basis in the UK Frequency Allocation Table.

Question 1
Do you agree that the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite allocations in the 75.5 - 76 GHz band should remain in the UK Frequency Allocation Table after 31st December 2006 on a secondary basis? If not, what would you suggest as an alternative approach?

Also, what is your view on permitting the secondary Amateur and Amateur-Satellite allocation in the 81 - 81.5GHz band within the UK Frequency Allocation Table?

I would urge radio amateurs to respond NO to the downgrading of our Primary Allocation.

The 81-81.5 GHz allocation, suggested by Ofcom, clashes with Car Radar systems. These systems will be fitted to all new cars in the coming years. I consider sharing a band with what could potentially be a safety critical system a bad idea.

For background reading see the RSGB Spectrum Forum website at
http://www.rsgb-spectrumforum.org.uk/external%20matters.htm

Specifically the document
http://www.rsgb-spectrumforum.org.uk/Papers/General/CEPT76GHzDraftResponsev2c.pdf

73 Trevor M5AKA