Draft Frequency Migration Plan

[ellipsis]

ICASA has published a draft plan setting out how it intends migrate spectrum licensees on an in-band and out-of-band basis as well as the steps to be taken and considerations taking into account in doing this.

You can get the background from http://mybroadband.co.za/news/wireless/57763-frequency-migration-plan-for-sa.html & the actual document from http://www.ellipsis.co.za/draft-frequency-migration-regulations-and-frequency-migration-plan/.

The draft Plan is open for comment until 28 September. It analyses the current situation and proposals for migration with reference to specific bands, so if you have an interest in frequency you should definitely pay attention.

For example: the band 2500-2690MHz is currently allocated as follows
- 2500 – 2520MHz FIXED + MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
- 2520 - 2655MHz FIXED + MOBILE except aeronautical mobile + Radio Astronomy
- 2655 - 2690MHz FIXED + MOBILE except aeronautical mobile + Radio Astronomy

ICASA intends to reallocate the entire band to Broadband Fixed Wireless Access (BFWA) and Mobile IMT. This would be in accordance with the SADC Frequency Allocation Plan (i.e. would be intended to harmonise use of this band with use in neighbouring states). ICASA also noted that there is current usage by Sentech (2500 – 2550MHz) & WBS (2550-2565MHz) with 125MHz available for assignment. Further the migration to BFWA and IMT must be aligned with the assignment process in the 800MHz band (first digital dividend).

In 3400-3600MHz ICASA’s intention is to migrate all existing users out of the band and reallocate it to Mobile IMT (again in accordance with the SADC Frequency Allocation Plan (or “FAP”...).

There are no direct changes to any of the existing licence-exempt bands.

There are also some interesting comments re cognitive radios and white-space devices.

Luckily ICASA only wants comment on the first 68 pages of the document, the remaining 57 pages are for your interest only

 

[ellipsis]

Any comments? Please post ASAP if you do have any, so we consider putting something together to submit. Comments by 26 September, please.

 

[Paul Hjul]

I am hoping the by 26 Sept is an on or before statement and that there isn't just 10 minutes left on the clock.
Unfortunately the last 2 weeks have been madness and I have only read over the document once. I'll give some comments during tomorrow (my first "free" day in over a week).

 

[AvatarS]

on/before it is

 

[Paul Hjul]

4.11.10 I believe that the concept of allocation here is sound - a public safety band, particularly the private entities performing public safety inclusion. It may be apt however for the misuse of this band to be specifically dealt with in law which has other areas of complication to navigate through. I honestly think that keeping this band within ICASA and DoC/MoC regulation seems counter productive. Ultimately SAPS or SANDF (signals unit of some shape or form) should have statutory control over the band and move it away from the ECA and ICASA.

Having little technical knowledge on frequency management I take the allocation tables at face value as appropriate. My interest and concerns lie more with ICASAs capacity to implement there spectrum policies than with the content - particularly with the 2011 regulations collection problem on point to point connections and the fact that there seems to be a bit of a turf war on spectrum management.

Ultimately I think this document is a good effort which is long overdue. Unfortunately in the present climate I think serious proper talks are necessary on the subject and the public hearings need to be well conducted and publicly streamed - as with the LLU hearings.

 

[Paul Hjul]

8 minutes to spare