For Discussion RSAC Paper 6/2009

on 22 October 2009

Frequency Planning in the 18 GHz Band (II)

Purpose

This paper proposes revising the channelling plan in the 17.70-19.70

GHz band (the 18 GHz band) to meet the anticipated demands in this band for
fixed services.

Background

2. According to the Region 3 Allocation, the 18 GHz band is allocated for

fixed and fixed-satellite services both on a primary basis. In Hong Kong, about
600 MHz spectrum in the 18.14-18.75 GHz sub-band is assigned for microwave
multipoint distribution system (MMDS). Some 50 MHz spectrum in the
sub-band 18.82 18.87 GHz is designated for use by licence-exempt low power
radio devices with a maximum e.r.p. of 100 mW. Furthermore, the band
19.3-19.6 GHz is reserved for the operation of feeder links of non-geostationary
(non-GEO) satellite systems.

3. In consultation with Members at the 8th RSAC meeting of 10 January

1
1996 , the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) has adopted a
channelling plan for fixed links operating in the 18 GHz band plan in order to
support the deployment of SDH-based telecommunications networks.
According to the channelling plan, the 18 GHz band is divided into 17 duplex
frequency channels of 55 MHz basic channel bandwidth. Taking into account
the services described in paragraph 2 above, only 6 out of the 17 duplex
frequency channels can be made available for fixed link assignments. So far,
OFTA has received no requests for fixed links in the 18 GHz and therefore the 6
duplex frequency channels remain vacant. Annex 1 shows the channelling plan
for fixed services as well as the spectrum allocations for other services operating
in the 18 GHz band.

1
RSAC paper No.3/1996 entitled Frequency Planning in the 18 GHz Band

1
Demand for Fixed Links for Mobile Backhaul Network

4. Over the past few months, mobile network operators have identified
their operational needs for fixed links to support the rollout of their mobile
backhaul networks. These links typically use a duplex frequency radio channel
of about 28 MHz wide to transmit at a data rate exceeding 100 Mbps.
Operating in various frequency bands for fixed services in the range 11 GHz
23 GHz, the links have a path length ranging from 0.3 km to 14 km.

5. The possible path length supported by a fixed link decreases with

increase of operating frequency due to radio propagation characteristics. To
promote efficient use of radio spectrum, it would be desirable to make available
spectrum in the lower bands for the operation of long fixed links. Taking into
account various factors including equipment performance, antenna size and
planned availability, OFTA had set out in RSAC Paper No. 8/1995 the following
indicative path lengths of fixed links operating above 10 GHz:

Table 1 : Indicative Path Lengths for Fixed Links

Band 11 GHz 14 GHz 18 GHz 23 GHz 28 GHz 38 GHz

Path Length 13km 9km 6km 4km 3km 2.5km

6. OFTA is now being guided by the above path lengths in assigning

channels for fixed links particularly those operating in a frequency band with
competing demand. For example, OFTA will generally not consider assigning
a 11 GHz channel for a fixed link with a path length shorter than 9 km. Based
on the input from the mobile industry, most of their fixed links do not exceed 6
km. Judging from Table 1 above, 18 GHz band is one of the useful bands for
the deployment of mobile backhaul networks.

7. At present, there are 6 vacant channels in the 18 GHz band.

Anticipating increasing demand in this band, we consider it is necessary to
review the channelling plan with a view to enhancing greater efficiency in the
use of the available spectrum for fixed links in the band.

2
Proposed Revision to the 18 GHz Channelling Plan

8. A market survey has suggested that a number of fixed link products

operating in the 18 GHz are designed to use a radio channel of 27.5 MHz wide.
To provide more radio channels available for assignment and deliver greater
flexibility in meeting the potential demands for fixed links, it is recommended
that the basic channel bandwidth of the 18 GHz band be revised from 55 MHz to
27.5 MHz.

9. According to Recommendation ITU-R F.595-9, the revised 18 GHz

band should have a basic channel width of 27.5 MHz whose centre frequency is
determined using the following expression:
lower half of the band: f n = 17.7 + 0.0275n GHz

upper half of the band: f n' = 18.71 + 0.0275n GHz

where n=1, 2, 3, 35

10. Annex 2 gives the proposed band plan with 27.5 MHz basic channel
width.

Assignment of the 18 GHz channels for Fixed Links

11. Referring to Annex 2, there are 14 duplex frequency channels in the

sub-bands 17.74125-18.12625 GHz paired with 18.75125-19.13625 GHz (i.e.
channels from 2-2 to 15-15). It should be noted that fixed links using
channels 4-4, 5-5 & 6-6 may need to share the spectrum with the
licence-exempt devices in the 18.82-18.87 GHz band. With a very low
radiated power, these devices are mainly for indoor short-range applications.
Taking into account the facts that the devices should have limited deployment in
Hong Kong and that their operation is subject to non-protected basis, shared use
of the spectrum should not pose significant constraints on the deployment of
fixed links.

12. While the proposed 18 GHz channelling plan is intended to meet the
anticipated spectrum of mobile network operators, the radio channels will also
be made accessible to other users such as government departments and fixed

3
network operators. OFTA will assess requests for the radio channels in the 18
GHz band based on their technical merits having regard to the operational needs.
According to the indicative path lengths given in Table 1, OFTA will consider
assigning one of the 14 channels for a duplex frequency fixed link if the path
length exceeds 4 km. Likewise, use of a radio channel below the 18 GHz band
(i.e. the 11 GHz and 14 GHz bands) should be considered only if a fixed link is
longer than 6 km.

13. In order to minimise the impact on existing services or planned

deployment, OFTA will not assign the spectrum for new fixed links outside
17.74125-18.12625 GHz paired with 18.75125-19.13625 GHz (i.e. channels
from 2-2 to 15-15) at this stage. Nonetheless, OFTA will monitor the
demand for the 18 GHz radio channels and other competing services in the band.
Members will be consulted again if there is any plan to change use of the
spectrum outside the two sub-bands in the future.

Advice Sought

14. Members are invited to give their comments on the proposed revision to
the channelling plan in paragraphs 8-10 and the assignment of the channels for
fixed links in paragraphs 11-13.

Office of the Telecommunications Authority

October 2009

4
 Annex 1

Existing 18 GHz Band Plan

Existing Channelling Plan (GHz)

17.7275 18.6625 18.7375 19.6725

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Utilisations Low power wireless

communication systems

MMDS [Note]
18.14 18.74475 19.3 19.6

18.82 18.87

Note: The sub-band 19.3-19.6 GHz is reserved for the operation of feeder links of non-GEO satellite
systems.

5
 Annex 2

Proposed revision to the 18 GHz Band Plan

Proposed Channelling Plan (GHz)

17.71375 18.67625 18.72325 19.68625

17.74125 18.12625 18.75125 19.13625

1 2 3 15 16 17 18 35 1 2 3 4 5 6 15 21 32 35

Utilisations Low power wireless

communication systems

MMDS [Note]
18.14 18.74475 18.82 18.87 19.3 19.6

Legend:
14 duplex channels (Channels 2-2 to 15-15) are ready for frequency assignment.

Note: The sub-band 19.3-19.6 GHz is reserved for the operation of feeder links of non-GEO satellite
systems.