Radio Spectrum Allocation

and Management

P K Divakaran

Copyright 2003 P K Divakaran

 Spectrum- Key issues
 Limitedand scarce resource
 Many users
– Broadcasting
– Defence
– Telecom
 Private Operators GSM and CDMA
 Govt Operators
– Industrial, Scientific and Medical applications (ISM)
– Space applications
– Aeronautical & Maritime communications

Copyright 2003 P K Divakaran

 Spectrum- Key issues
 Increasing trend for Radio communications
 Need for equitable and judicious allocation
of spectrum for all users

Copyright 2003 P K Divakaran

 Division of Frequency
Spectrum
Ground wave Sky Wave

VLF LF MF HF VHF UHF SHF

Very Low Low Medium High Very High Ultra High Super High
frequency frequency frequency frequency frequency frequency frequency

3k 30k 300k 3M 30M 300M 3G 30G (hz)

Human FM Cellular Satellite

Medium Wave
speech Broadcast Radio Mobile communications
Commns. & Microwave
Copyright 2003 P K Divakaran
communications.
 Spectrum Constraints
 Growth and Competition in wireless
Telecom services
 India’s non adoption of “ Nato Band” for
Defence communication
 “Non Nato Band” Telecom equipment
sourced from Nato countries overlaps
Indian Defence Spectrum

Copyright 2003 P K Divakaran

 Legal Basis for Spectrum
Management
 Indian Telegraph Act 1885
 Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act 1933

Copyright 2003 P K Divakaran

 Spectrum Allocation
 National Frequency Allocation Plan
(NFAP)

Copyright 2003 P K Divakaran

 Organisational Structure for
Spectrum Management
 Wireless Planning Commission (WPC)
– Under Ministry of Communications
– Headed by Wireless Adviser to Govt of India
(GOI)
 Wireless Monitoring Organisation (WMO)
– Headed by Wireless Adviser

Copyright 2003 P K Divakaran

 WPC functions
 Assignmernt of Radio frequencies
 Formulation of National Frequency Allocation
Plan (NFAP)
 Standardisation of communication equipment
specifications
 National frequency coordination with all users of
wireless for interference free operation
 International coordination & agreements with with
other Telecom Administrations & Organisations
 Licencing of wireless stations in India
Copyright 2003 P K Divakaran
 WMO functions
 Measurement of technical parameters like
operating frequencies, out of band emission
etc
 Determining Spectrum occupancy/ vacancy
 Investigation of case of harmful
interference
 Detection of unauthorised wireless stations
 Monitoring for selection of interference free
sites for transmitting & receiving stations
Copyright 2003 P K Divakaran
 SACFA
 SACFA (Standing Advisory Committee on
Radio Frequency Allocation)
 High Power committee with Members from
ALL major Wireless Users such as
Defence, Telecom, Broadcasting, Dept of
Space etc

Copyright 2003 P K Divakaran

 Functions of SACFA
 To recommend on major frequency
allocation issues requiring coordination
amongst wireless users
 To clear sites for wireless installations in
India
 To deal with frequency coordination
problems referred to the committee
 To formulate/ review NFAP

Copyright 2003 P K Divakaran

 Spectrum Pricing Options
 Percentage of Revenue
 Auction
 Fixed price per Bandwidth allocated

Copyright 2003 P K Divakaran