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Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (Act No. 36 of 2005)

ICASA

Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plan for the Frequency Band 2500 to 2690 MHz (IMT2600)

7. Co-ordination Requirements

 

7.1 Use of these frequency bands require coordination with the neighbouring countries within the coordination zones of 0 kilometres in case of LTE-4 TRP to-LTE and 6 kilometres in case of Synchronised TDD operations with respect to other technologies in other neighbouring country.

 

7.2 The Trigger values at a height of 3 m above ground between TDD systems shall be 65 dBμV/m/5 MHz@0 km and 49 dBμV/m/5 MHz@6km

 

7.3 The coordination distance is continuously being reviewed and may be updated from time to time.

 

7.4 The following field strength thresholds have to be assured based on ECC/REC 11(05) for 2500-2690 MHz frequency band. Operator-to-operator coordination may be necessary to avoid interference.
7.4.1 In general stations and systems may be used without coordination with a neighbouring country if the mean field strength produced by the cell (all transmitters within the sector) does not exceed the value of 30 dBμV/m/5 MHz at an antenna height of 3m above ground at the borderline between countries, and does not exceed a value of 49 dBμV/m/5 MHz@6 km at an antenna height of 3m above ground at a distance of 6 km inside the neighbouring country.
7.4.2 In the case that LTE is deployed both sides of the border the field strength levels can be increased to 59 dBμV/m/5MHz and 41 dBμV/m/5MHz at 6 km.
7.4.3 Synchronisation should be achieved including that of the field strength levels if TDD is in operation across both sides of a border.

 

7.5 For field strength, calculations should be made according to Appendix B. In cases of other frequency block sizes 10*log (frequency block size/5MHz) should be added to the field strength values e.g.:

 

 

BW (MHz)

Field strength level at 3 m height

(general case)

Field strength level at 3 m height

(LTE case)

5 MHz

55.0 dBμV/m/5 MHz @ 0km

59.0 dBμV/m/5 MHz @ 0km

29.0 dBμV/m/5 MHz @ 9km

41.0 dBμV/m/5 MHz @ 6km

10 MHz

58.0 dBμV/m/10 MHz @ 0km

62.0 dBμV/m/10 MHz @ 0km

32.0 dBμV/m/10 MHz @ 9km

44.0 dBμV/m/10 MHz @ 6km

15 MHz

59.8 dBμV/m/15 MHz @ 0km

63.8 dBμV/m/15 MHz @ 0km

33.8 dBμV/m/15 MHz @ 9km

45.8 dBμV/m/15 MHz @ 6km

20 MHz

60.0 dBμV/m/20 MHz @ 0km

65.0 dBμV/m/20 MHz @ 0km

35.0 dBμV/m/20 MHz @ 9km

47.0 dBμV/m/20 MHz @ 6km

 

7.6 If neighbouring administrations wish to agree on frequency coordination based on preferential frequencies, while ensuring a fair treatment of different operators within a country the Authority will add the following within mutual agreements:
7.6.1 Stations of IMT systems may be operated without coordination if the mean field strength produced by the cell (all transmitters within the sector) does not exceed the value of 65 dBmV/m/5 MHz at 10% time, 50% of locations at 3 metres above ground level at the borderline.
7.6.2 Technical analysis must be conducted by the Licensees before an assignment is made to individual base stations according to Appendix B taken from ECC/REC (11) 05 and must be notified to the Authority on a quarterly basis.
7.6.3 Specific information regarding coordination may be found in Appendix C, taken from Cross-Border Frequency Coordination: Harmonised Calculation Method for Africa (HCM4A) Agreement.
7.6.4 In the event of any interference, the Authority will require affected parties to carry out coordination. If the interference continues to be unresolved after 24 hours, the affected parties may refer the matter to the Authority for a resolution. The Authority will decide the necessary modifications and schedule of modifications to resolve the dispute. The Authority will be guided by the interference resolution process as shown Appendix C.
7.6.5 Assignment holders shall take full advantage of interference mitigation techniques such as antenna discrimination, tilt, polarization, frequency discrimination, shielding/blocking (introduce diffraction / loss), site selection, and/or power control to facilitate the coordination of systems.