Acts Online
GT Shield

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

ICASA

Radiocommunication Frequency Migration Plan 2019

Appendices

Appendix H : Articles 31 and 52 of the ITU Radio Regulations and Rec. ITU-R SM.1603

Attachment 5 of Annex 1 : An example of the spectrum redeployment process based on the Ukrainian experience

 

This Attachment contains the description of the spectrum redeployment process in Ukraine aimed for introduction of the CDMA-450 (IMT-MC-450 EV-DO) technology in the 450 MHz band, started at the end of 2006 and finished in 2011.

 

1 Prerequisites and objectives of the redeployment

 

The prerequisites of the redeployment process were: decreasing the number of NMT-450 users due to operation of GSM-900 on one hand and ever-growing demand for mobile data transmission services on the another hand.

 

Before starting the redeployment process, the 450-470 MHz frequency band was occupied by the public operator of the NMT-450 network (453-457.5/463-467.5 MHz) and operators of analogue trunk and radio telephony communications, telemetry of alarm systems (450- 453/460-463 MHz, with a frequency step 25 kHz), as shown in Fig. 2.

Figure 2 Frequency use in the band 450-470 MHz before redeployment

The operator of NMT-450 network appealed to the Ukrainian regulator, the National Commission on Communication Regulation of Ukraine, for changing its licence for outdated standard NMT-450 into the new one for CDMA-450 standard in the same frequency range.

 

The request was satisfied in accordance with the Law of Ukraine on Telecommunications allowing operator to do so without auction.

 

In order to create a competitive environment in the band, the Regulator adopted the Decision No. 450 of 17 November 2006 on considering of frequency plan for development of digital cellular communication technology CDMA-450. The main objective of the Decision was to make the band 450-470 MHz available for CDMA-450. Thus this Decision launched the redeployment process in the occupied frequency band 450-453/460-463 MHz.

 

2 Redeployment planning

 

In order to make the band 450-470 MHz available for CDMA-450, the Regulator together with the Ukrainian State Centre of Radio Frequencies (UCRF) studied the occupancy of the bands 450-453/460-463 MHz in Ukraine. Totally 147 users operated in 27 regions of Ukraine in this band.

 

Based on the results of the analysis, the proposals on arranging redeployment process were prepared as follows:

to inform operators that prolongation of issued licences for analogue trunk and radio telephony in the bands 450.6-453/460.6-463 MHz is not planned;
to leave the frequency band 450.0-450.6/460.0-460.6 MHz for analogue trunk communications and rearrange it for the usage of frequency step of 12.5 kHz instead of 25 kHz;
to shift analogue trunk and radio telephony frequencies from the band 450.6-453/460.6-463 MHz to the bands 450.0-450.6/460.0-460.6 MHz and 413-420/423-430 MHz;
to stop licensing the band 450.6-453/460.6-463 MHz from 01.11.2007;
to set the end of transition period for 01 November 2011.

 

The redeployment process was planned in such a way as to ensure the following:

minimal negative impact to existing operators in the band;
minimal financial expenses;
providing as much as possible alternative frequencies in the band 450-450.6/460-460.6 MHz;
possible financial compensation to operators.

 

During the planning of redeployment process several rounds of public consultations were done with operators, using the frequency band 450.6-453/460.6-463 MHz in order to agree on redeployment proposals and terms.

 

3 Redeployment implementation

 

In the frequency band 450.0-450.6/460.0-460.6 MHz, the Regulator and UCRF succeeded to assign frequencies for 89% of operators. From 01 November 2007, the process of licences and permissions reissuing started. The duration of the transition period was set for one year.

 

For the rest of operators, proposals for shifting to the frequency band 413-420/423-430 MHz were prepared. From 01 July 2008, the process of licences and permissions reissuing started. The duration of the transition period was set for two years.

 

As the usage of the band 450-470 MHz changed, the UCRF made efforts for concluding new coordination agreements with the neighbouring countries.

 

In order to compensate partly financial expenses occurred because of shifting operators to another frequency band, the Regulator adopted Decision No. 988 of 30 October 2007 providing operators 40% reduction for the works of the UCRF on EMC calculation, frequency assigning and radio frequency monitoring. This norm was valid till 31 December 2007.

 

The use of the band 450-470 MHz after redeployment is shown in Fig. 3.

Figure 3 Frequency use in the band 450-470 MHz after redeployment

4 Conclusion

 

The frequency redeployment process in the band 450-470 MHz in Ukraine succeeded because of cooperation of the Regulator and operators. Several rounds of public consultations were done.

 

During the frequency redeployment planning and implementation, a combination of the following methods was used:

voluntary and regulatory spectrum redeployment;
redeployment at the expiration of the current licence;
migration to frequency bands within the tuning range of equipment used as much as possible;
compensations.