Ofcom Implements EU35

Ofcom has published provisions for opening the 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz bands for licensed use which will increase the opportunities for broadband fixed wireless services.

Further details can be found at:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/71-86ghz/statement/

This Ofcom announcement agrees to implement the most important section of EU35 and permits continued Amateur and Amateur Satellite access to 75.875-76 GHz on a PRIMARY basis and 75.5 -75.875 GHz on a Secondary basis beyond the end of 2006.

Ofcom are to be congratulated for implementing EU35 and it will hopefully set a good precedent for other European regulators who have yet to implement this footnote.

No doubt the new Amateur Licence due to be issued on 1st December will be updated accordingly.

Note 3.5 in particular in the following extract from statement

Amateur & Amateur Satellite Allocations

3.2 The consultation sought views specifically on the Amateur and Amateur Satellite allocations in the 75.5 - 76GHz and 81-81.5GHz bands. These allocations are covered by international footnote regulations 5.559A and 5.561A
respectively. In addition the 75.5-76GHz band is also covered by the European Table of Frequency Allocations footnote EU35, which states that the band 75.5-76 GHz is in Europe also allocated to the Amateur and Amateur Satellite
services after year 2006, whilst the UK Frequency Allocation Table footnote UK7 currently permits Amateur and Amateur Satellite operation in the UK on a primary basis until 31st December 2006.

3.3 With respect to the Amateur and Amateur Satellite Allocations in the 75.5-76 GHz band, the majority of respondents to the consultation were supportive of the Ofcom proposal for permitting continued amateur use of the
75.5-76 GHz band on a secondary basis after 31st December 2006. There was support from one joint respondent (comprising the Radio Society of Great Britain, UK Microwave Group & Amsat-UK) to permit the Amateur allocations on a
co primary basis with the fixed service after 31st December 2006. The support to maintain primary amateur allocations in the 75.5-76GHz band was based on recent CEPT allocation discussions concerning 79GHz automotive short range radar systems and the associated frequency allocation issues.

3.4 Ofcom considers that it would not be practical to allow the Amateur and Amateur Satellite services to operate in the 75.5-76 GHz band on a co-primary basis where commercial fixed wireless systems will be operating. Retaining primary allocations for the amateur services would require commercial fixed wireless operators to coordinate their assignments with the amateur services so as to ensure protection to individual amateur stations. Ofcom does not consider this to be an appropriate way forward and wishes to minimise co-ordination requirements to allow rapid and flexible deployment.

3.5 Ofcom has noted that the proponents of primary amateur allocations operate narrow band CW/SSB systems at 75.976 GHz which is outside of the main FWS data block and inside a guard band. Ofcom has therefore decided to permit the use of the 75.875-76 GHz band on a primary basis by the Amateur & Amateur Satellite services and on a secondary basis in the 75.5 -75.875 GHz band (see Figure 1)

We believe this will substantially benefit future fixed wireless systems and not pose a major inconvenience to the amateur services. The UK Frequency Allocation Table will be modified accordingly to reflect this decision.

The European Table of Frequency Allocations and Utilisations
http://www.ero.dk/eca-change
(EU35 referenced on pages 139 and 155)

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