Spectrum Working Group

Terms of Reference

• Identify the spectrum requirements for new radio technologies
• Coordinate efforts to eliminate harmful interference between concerned countries, as appropriate
• Develop plans for harmonized spectrum usage for radiocommunication systems in the region
• Develop optimum sharing methodologies between radio services and methods ensuring compatibility between systems.

Work Scope

• Identify spectrum sharing issues, and other related items. within APT member countries
• Develop harmonization of planned spectrum usage for radiocommunication systems and development of sharing/mitigation techniques
• Construct and maintain a database of major radiocommunications systems including operators and IMT-2000 in APT member countries
• Monitor international activities concerning global circulation (including development of industry arrangements to facilitate global circulation)
• Facilitate the coordination of regulatory/policy issues for converging (or boundary) services (e.g. converged systems of broadcasting and telecommunication) within APT member countries
• Facilitate satellite system coordination and orbit access.

Task List

• Identify spectrum sharing issues, and other related items, within APT member countries
• Develop harmonization of planned spectrum usage  for radiocommunication systems and development of sharing/mitigation techniques. Provide advice on spectrum planning
• Construct and maintain a database of major radiocommunication systems including operators and IMT-2000 in APT member countries
• Monitor international activities concerning global circulation (including development of industry arrangements to facilitate global circulation)
• Facilitate the coordination of regulatory/policy issues for converging (or boundary) services (e.g. converged systems of broadcasting and telecommunication) within APT member countries
• Facilitate satellite system coordination and orbit access
• Coordinate efforts to eliminate harmful interference between concerned countries, as appropriate
• Studies associated with WRC-07 Agenda Items
• Additional particular tasks as identified within the AWF.

These nine items are presented in detail in the downloadable Microsoft Word document  titled "Tasks for the Spectrum Working Group of the APT Wireless Forum" with an introduction to the item, comments on the possible activities that the WG-Spec could undertake and a possible AWF approach. The nine items were reviewed at the first AWF meeting and the decisions taken in relation to each item can be found in the downloadable Microsoft Word document titled "Report of the Spectrum Working Group". The decisions included the creation of five Sub-Working Groups, the details of which appear below.

Deliverables

• Recommendations to improve the efficiency of spectrum usage in the region
• Regional framework for planned frequency usage
• Wireless service's operator and licensing databases (e.g. IMT-2000, DMB, etc.)
• Spectrum management guidelines.

Terms of References for Sub-Working Groups of the Spectrum Working Group

Sub-Working Group 1:

To undertake sharing studies, including reviewing existing available sharing studies (both in ITU-R texts and from other sources), and prepare associated AWF Reports on sharing scenarios identified within the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Wireless Forum.

SWG1 will continue to update a report on “Studies on the Co-Existence Between IMT-2000 Technologies and Between IMT-2000 Technologies and Other Wireless Access Technologies in Adjacent and Near-Adjacent Frequency Bands.” Currently four sharing studies are conducted out of seven scenarios have been identified for these studies. These are:

1. between a CDMA2000 downlink in the 1930 – 1990 MHz frequency band and an WCDMA uplink in the 1920 – 1980 MHz frequency band,
2. between CDMA2000 systems in the 1920 – 1980 / 2110 – 2170 MHz frequency bands and WCDMA systems in the 1920 – 1980 / . 2110 – 2170 MHz frequency bands,
3. between a CDMA2000 downlink in the 869 - 894 MHz frequency band and a GSM or WCDMA uplink in the 880 – 915 MHz frequency band,
4. between a CDMA2000 uplink in the 1850 - 1910 MHz frequency band and a GSM downlink in the 1805 - 1880 MHz frequency band,
5. between TDD and FDD systems at 2 GHz,
6. from broadcast operations in the 470 – 800 MHz band into CDMA2000 networks operating in the 450 – 470 MHz band,
7. between PHS systems in the 1885 – 1920 MHz band and WCDMA uplinks in the 1920-1980 MHz band.

SWG1 has the additional responsibility to review spectrum matters of UHF spectrum which will be available after final transition of analog TV to Digital so called “Digital Dividend Spectrum”. The Terms of References on digital dividend are:

1. to review the availability of spectrum resulting from the introduction of digital terrestrial television broadcasting in the band 470-806 MHz and the potential alternative uses of the spectrum so released
2. to develop recommended harmonized approaches for the introduction of new wireless technologies, services and application in released spectrum, including preferred frequency bands and associated technical characteristics.

SWG1 will work by correspondence between AWF meetings.

Sub-Working Group 2:

The focus of the work for this group is as follows:

1. To consider the use of frequency bands (other than 4940-4990MHz) included in WRC-03 Resolution 646 to develop technical parameters and channeling plans for harmonized use of these bands for PPDR
2. To consider and make proposals on frequencies for harmonized PPDR use in Pacific island countries.

The Sub-Working Group will work by correspondence and present a report on the results of its work at the next AWF meeting.

Sub-Working Group 3:

The initial tasks attributed to this group were completed. At present this Sub-Working Group focus on aeronautical matters and would address the issues of the use of mobile phone as well as the use of other modern wireless technologies on-board aircraft. These activities will include, but not be limited to:

• For the use of mobile phones on board aircraft:

o Licensing issues and possible ways to harmonize the approach to licensing by APT members such as mutual recognition while taking due account of national differences.
o Spectrum matters noting that currently a number of different frequency bands and different mobile technologies are in use in the Asia-Pacific region.
o The preparation of an AWF Report on technical requirements especially in regard to the capability of the equipment on-board the aircraft as well as the technical and operational conditions of each country being over-flown. It is suggested that Annex 1 of Document AWF-IM3/03 should be used as the starting point for the AWF Report.

• For other wireless technologies:

o Spectrum harmonization issues including preferred frequency bands and associated technical characteristics.
o Associated regulatory and licensing issues, when considered appropriate.

Sub-Working Group 4:

The focus of the work for this group will be as follows:

1. Investigation on New Technology facilitating BWA services:

• This task includes the analysis of feasibility/applicability of new technologies such as SDR and Cognitive Radio in BWA services.
• Commercial services or standardization activities are expected to be presented.
• A [Some] technical report[s] or report[s] on case studies are produced as output of this task