CEPT
CPG-PTD(14)014
ECC
Electronic Communications Committee
CPG-15 PTD #5
Rome, 13-17 January 2014
Date issued: xx December 2013
Source: Sweden
Subject: Evaluation of the proposed band plan options for 700 MHz
Group membership required to read? (Y/N)
N
Summary:
In order for PTD to evaluate the proposed band plan options, further information and studies are
needed e.g. regarding:
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Estimated benefits associated with different levels of harmonisation with APT-plan
Forecasted asymmetry for spectrum demand
Further studies on technical feasibility and its impact on economics and performance for the
different band plan options
Proposed usage for the sub-band (PPDR and M2M) proposed for Option 1.1 needs to be
further defined.
Based on the information provided so far, Sweden has made the following preliminary evaluation
and ranking of the proposed band plan options (in order of preference):
1: Option 1.2 (2 x 30 MHz + SDL)
This band plan option would provide a high spectrum utilisation for IMT, while at the same time
benefiting from reusing the lower 2 x 30 MHz (Band 28A) in the APT-plan. The asymmetry (uplink
vs. downlink) of this band plan option is in line with the current and forecasted future spectrum
demand indicated by several commercial operators.
2: Option 2 (2 x 40 MHz)
This band plan option has a high spectrum utilisation for IMT. However, given the assumption that
the spectrum demand from commercial operators have a high degree of asymmetry, and that
reusing the 28A Band from the APT-plan has associated benefits, Sweden is of the view that Option
1.2 (SDL) would be preferred prior to this band plan option.
3: Option 1 (2 x 30 MHz)
This option only provides a total of 60 MHz of spectrum for IMT. Arguments presented so far do not
motivate the lower degree of spectrum utilisation for IMT compared to Option 1.2 (SDL) and Option
2.
4: Option 1.1 (2 x 30 MHz + PPDR & M2M)
Spectrum harmonised for IMT can be used for both commercial and PPDR services. The amount of
spectrum to be used for PPDR in each country needs to be subject to national decision. Harmonised
exclusive frequencies may lead to poor spectrum utilization in many countries, and may also turn
PPDR into a niche market.
Proposal:
Sweden invites PTD to consider performing further studies and to request more information as
indicated above. Sweden also invites PTD to consider the arguments on the different band plan
options in its further work in finding a proposal for a 700 MHz channelling arrangement for IMT.
Background:
Figure: Proposed 700 MHz channelling arrangement options
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Annex: Preliminary evaluation and ranking of the proposed sub-band
options
1
Option 1.2 (2 x 30 MHz + approx. 15 MHz SDL)
This band plan option would provide a high spectrum utilisation for IMT, while at the same time
benefiting from reusing the lower 2 x 30 MHz (Band 28A) in the APT-plan.
The asymmetry (uplink vs. downlink) of this band plan option is in line with the current and
forecasted future spectrum demand indicated by several commercial operators. Sweden invites
commercial operators to provide further analysis (including statistics from today´s networks)
which estimates the degree of asymmetry on spectrum demand which is foreseen for mobile
services operating in the 700 MHz band.
Studies made by Orange and Teliasonera [Ref R12-WP5D-C-0519, Preliminary technical
analysis of 700 MHz band plan with SDL option] concludes that current filter designs for Band
28A would be sufficient if SDL band is paired with another freuqency band outside 700 MHz
band (e.g. 800 MHz). In case of 700 MHz band FDD uplink is used together with SDL operation,
an improved duplexer design is probably needed. Sweden invites industry to comment and
provide additional information on the feasibility of the technical realisation of this band plan
option.
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Option 2 (2 x 40 MHz)
Given the assumption that the future spectrum demand from commercial operators caracterise
a high degree of assymetry, and that reusing the 28A Band from the APT-plan has associated
benefits, Sweden’s current view is that Option 1.2 (SDL) would be preferred prior to this band
plan option.
Sweden would appreciate if the approach based on belief that this band plan option matches
better the estimated future spectrum demand compared to band plan Option 1.2 (SDL) could be
explained and motivated.
Sweden also invites the relevant industry representatives to comment and provide additional
information on the feasibility of the technical realisation of this band plan option.
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Option 1 (2 x 30 MHz)
This option only provides a total of 60 MHz of spectrum for IMT. Sweden considers that the
arguments presented so far do not motivate the lower degree of spectrum utilisation for IMT in
Option 1 compared to Option 1.2 (SDL) and Option 2.
Sweden believes that potential benefits (e.g. economies of scale) associated with high or higher
degree of harmonisation to the APT-plan needs to be further studied. If a harmonisation with
APT-plan would justify a lower degree of spectrum utilization compared to other band plan
options, it is important that the benefit associated with the APT harmonisation is clearly
described and motivated.
Further input from industry is needed which describes the potential benefits associated with the
different level of harmonisation with the APT-plan for each proposed band plan option.
Regarding UE:s, Sweden would like to see that the industry to presents their view on the future
terminal market. The argument that an alignment with the lower 2 x 30 MHz sub-band of the
APT band plan would ”facilitate implementation of global terminals” needs to be further
explained. Is the industry aiming to have common terminals for Asia and Europe?
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Option 1.1 (2 x 30 MHz + PPDR & M2M)
In order to evaluate this band plan option, the proposed usage for the sub-band (PPDR and
M2M) need to be further defined:
“2 x 3MHz, for M2M communications”
Proposed usage for this sub-band needs to be further described, for example regarding possible
applications and forecasted demand.
“2 x 5 MHz for PPDR (Public safety services)“
More information is needed about usage of this proposed sub-band. Would spectrum usage be
restricted to only PPDR or is commercial usage also considered?
What PPDR services and applications are proposed for this sub-band?
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WAN (Wide area Network)?
DMO (Direct Mode)?
AGA (Air-Ground-Air)?
If DMO and AGA is considered for this sub-band, more information is needed about possible
technical implementation in LTE.
Spectrum harmonised for IMT can be used for both commercial and PPDR services. The
amount of spectrum to be used for PPDR in each country is a national decision. Harmonised
exclusive frequencies may lead to poor spectrum utilization in many countries, and may also
turn PPDR into a niche market.
A harmonisation of exclusive spectrum for PPDR may cause a situation where this spectrum is
unused in those countries that chose not to deploy a dedicated PPDR network in the 700 MHz
band. Sweden finds it very difficult to accept this degree of inflexibility for individual countries to
decide on how to allocate spectrum usage nationally. Furthermore, the associated benefits of a
harmonised dedicated sub-band for PPDR can be questioned. LS from FM49 [Ref FM49(13)085
Annex1, Second follow-up LS to ECC PT1] shows that there are diverging views among
administrations and user community if harmonised dedicated spectrum is indeed beneficial for
PPDR community in Europe. There is a risk that niche market for PPDR is created with possible
impact on economies of scale and interoperability.
In addition to the compatibility studies on the current broadcast services, a possible
harmonisation for PPDR services below 694 MHz also need to consider possible long term
scenarios for the 470 – 694 MHz band.
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