مشروع توزيع وتنظيم استخدام الخدمة الرادوية الثابتة في الوصلات اللاسلكية

​Following a previous public consultation concerning fixed wireless links , CITC has conducted an extensive exercise of research and analysis.  These activities are intended to lead to improvements in the availability, quality and applicability of fixed wireless links usage across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  The activities conducted by CITC include an international benchmarking exercise to identify how other countries manage fixed wireless links, and a detailed assessment of the current situation regarding fixed wireless links in KSA.

As a result of this review of fixed wireless links, a number of actions have been identified which are necessary in order to improve fixed wireless link flexibility, availability and quality of service.  CITC therefore intends to:

• Simplify band arrangements (such as withdrawing channel rasters which are no longer required).

• Introduce wider bandwidth channels in several bands to enable the higher bandwidth connections necessary to keep pace with modern telecommunication services.

• Re-organise a number of channel plans in some bands where legacy assignments have led to inefficient, overlapping frequency arrangements which reduce frequency availability and increase the likelihood of interference.

• Offer light licensing in some fixed wireless links frequency bands to provide licensees with options which may speed the roll-out of services.

• Clear some bands of fixed wireless links in order to permit the introduction of license exempt, and lightly licensed services, and for future use for IMT (5G).

• Deal with assignments which do not follow the correct channel arrangements.

• Modify the link length policy to provide a more flexible approach to the use of the fixed wireless link frequency bands.

• Make a number of minor changes to the application form for fixed wireless links, to bring them into line with international best practice.

• Collect and update information relating to fixed wireless link frequencies, to ensure the accuracy of CITC's database.

This document sets out CITC's proposals for these changes, including their implementation timescales, as an action plan.  In addition, it provides the updated fixed radio service frequency allocation and use regulations document which will result from these changes.  It is organized as follows:

• Section ‎2 provides CITC's proposed action plan for fixed wireless links;

• Section ‎‎3 sets out CITC's proposed fixed radio service frequency allocation and use regulations document.

The figure below sets out the next steps and timescales in this Public Consultation.​

​In this section we identify the actions to improve fixed wireless link services in KSA and the timetable for their change or introduction.

2.1. Process and timing for changes to channel arrangements

2.1.1. The process for the withdrawal of any channel arrangements affected by these decisions will be as follows:

• These channel arrangements will be removed from the table of fixed wireless link frequency arrangements forthwith.

• No new assignments using these arrangements will be made from 1 January 2022.

• Any existing assignments using these arrangements may continue to operate until 31 December 2022, after which licenses will not be renewed.

2.1.2. The process for the introduction of any new frequency arrangements will be as follows:

• These channel arrangements will be added to the table of fixed wireless link frequency arrangements forthwith.

• New assignments using these arrangements will be available from 1 January 2022.

2.1.3. For any users requiring re-farming, the following process will be followed:

• Any users whose license is affected by the re-farming will be informed by CITC by Q1 2022.  Users will be offered the option either to continue to operate until 31 December 2022, or to re-farm to a new frequency.

• Any users who choose not to be re-farmed to a new frequency will have their licenses terminated on 31 December 2022.

• Any users who choose to be re-farmed to a new frequency will have until 31 December 2022 to apply for, and migrate to, the new frequency.

2.1.4. Updating of CITC fixed wireless link database:

• CITC plans to conduct a data cleansing activity on its fixed wireless link frequency database.  CITC may therefore approach any organization whose fixed wireless link license data appears incomplete or otherwise inaccurate by Q1 2022.  These organisations will have until 31 December 2022 to provide updated information or may face the termination of their license.

The key dates at which different actions will be taken are summarized in the diagram below.

Q 1: Do you agree with the proposed process and timetable for the withdrawal, re-farming and introduction of any modified arrangements?

2.2. Correction of non-standard assignments

There are a number of assignments across a range of fixed wireless links frequency bands which do not currently match with CITC’s fixed wireless links bands and channel arrangements. Some of these have non-standard duplex separations; others have non-standard emission bandwidths. In most cases, a small amendment to the operating frequency or duplex separation, or the modification of the license to adopt a standard bandwidth channel will correct these anomalies. It is also possible that some of these instances are cases where the information previously provided to CITC is incorrect.

Any such assignments have the potential to cause interference to fixed wireless links which are operating in-line with the published band plans due to channel overlaps, and they reduce the availability of the band by blocking out multiple channels.

CITC intends to begin a programme of re-assignment of any fixed wireless links which do not meet the published band plans. Users whose assignments are not in-line with the table of fixed wireless link frequency bands will be refarmd following the re-farming process set out in section ‎2.1.

Q 2: Do you agree that CITC should take action to correct these legacy assignments?  

2.3. Withdrawal of low bandwidth channel arrangements

The current CITC fixed wireless link band plans include a number of channel arrangements which are no longer used by stakeholders, and for which there is no evidence of ongoing demand either in KSA or internationally. In these cases CITC intends to withdraw these arrangements from its fixed wireless link band plans.  

The specific frequency arrangements to which this applies are identified in the table below.

Band ​	Low Block ​		Upper Block ​		Raster (MHz) ​	Duplex Separation (MHz) ​
	Start (MHz)	End (MHz)	Start (MHz)	End (MHz)
15 GHz	14502.75	14919.25	14922.75	15339.25	3.5	420
23 GHz	21225.75	22342.25	22457.75	23574.25	3.5	1232
38 GHz	37059.75	38176.25	38319.75	39436.25	3.5	1260

Q 3: Do you have any comments regarding the withdrawal of the low bandwidth arrangements in these bands? 

2.4. Introduction of wider bandwidth channels

As demand for bandwidth grows internationally, so the need for higher bandwidth backhaul is also increasing. Across a number of countries examined by CITC, higher bandwidth fixed wireless link channels are becoming more common. Also, in CITC’s previous consultation on fixed wireless links , the responses strongly indicated a desire for wider bandwidth links.  

For these reasons, CITC is planning to introduce wider bandwidth links in a number of fixed wireless link bands where there is sufficient capacity to do so. 

The table below sets out the new, wider bandwidth channels which CITC plans to introduce.

Band ​	Low Block ​		Upper Block ​		Raster (MHz) ​	Duplex Separation (MHz) ​	ITU Reference ​	Usage ​
	Start (MHz)	End (MHz)	Start (MHz)	End (MHz)
2 GHz	2036	2099	2211	2274	7	175	F.1098 (Annex 1)	P2P
8 GHz	7761	7929	82044.5	8212.5	56	283.5	F.386 (Annex 1)	P2P
11 GHz	10735	11135	11265	11665	80	530	F.387 (Annex 1)	P2P
18 GHz	17810	18580	18820	19590	110	1010	F.595 (Annex 4 & Preferred)	P2P
23 GHz	21280	22288	22512	23520	112	1232	F.637 (Annex 2)	P2P
32 GHz	31871	32431	32683	33243	112	812	F.1520 (Annex 1 & 2)	P2P
​	31927	32375	32739	33187	224	812	​	​
38 GHz	37114	38122	38374	39382	112	1260	F.749 (Annex 1)	P2P
​	37170	38066	38430	39326	224	1260	​	​
70/80 GHz	Note 1	​	​	​	​	10000	F.2006 (Preferred)	P2P

Note 1: In the 70/80 GHz band there are a number of possible channel bandwidth arrangements.  Currently CITC licenses only 250 MHz bandwidth channels, however it is intended to extend this to permit channel bandwidths of up to 2 GHz (i.e. 2000 MHz).  The proposed channel arrangements are as identified in the figure below.

 

Q 4: Do you have any comments on the addition of these wider bandwidth channels? 

2.5. Refarming of some bands

Due to historical reasons, in the 7, 8, 11, 15 and 23 GHz frequency bands, CITC has licensed frequency arrangements which overlap each other.  This can lead to situations which:

• Reduce overall spectrum availability; and

• Increase the possibility of interference between users using non-aligned, overlapping frequency arrangements.

As a result of the review of fixed wireless link bands, CITC therefore proposes to rationalize the frequency usage in a number of bands in order to remove these historic misalignments.  

The figures below illustrate the current situation in bands where changes are proposed. These are followed by the frequency arrangements which will be withdrawn.  

Q 5: Do you have any comments regarding the rationale for re-organizing these bands? 

2.5.1. 7 GHz Band

The figure below shows the current channel arrangements which have historically been licensed by CITC.

 

In addition to a lower and upper arrangement, there is also a mid arrangement.  This mid arrangement overlaps with both the upper and lower arrangements.  An assignment in this mid arrangement will therefore block out three assignments in total (one in each of the low, mid and upper arrangements), reducing channel availability and increasing the potential for interference. It was also found that this mid arrangement was not in use in the other countries benchmarked.

In addition, there are multiple overlapping arrangements with 28 MHz channel widths in the upper 7 GHz band, some of which have differing duplex separations. These arrangements will also be withdrawn to standardize the frequency arrangements in the band.

As such, CITC is proposing to withdraw the following frequency arrangements from the 7 GHz band. 

Band ​	Low Block ​		Upper Block ​		Raster (MHz) ​	Duplex Separation (MHz) ​	Reason for Removal ​
	Start (MHz)	End (MHz)	Start (MHz)	End (MHz)
​​Mid 7 GHz ​ ​ ​	7253	7386	7414	7457	3.5 & 7	161	Mid arrangement
	7260	7372	7421	7533	14	161	Mid arrangement
	7267	7379	7428	7540	28	161	Mid arrangement
	7267	7379	7421	7533	28	154	Mid arrangement
Upper 7 GHz ​	7442	7554	7596	7708	28	154	Overlapping arrangement
	7456	7568	7610	7722	28	154	Overlapping arrangement

Q 6: Do you have any comments regarding the proposed withdrawal of these 7 GHz channel arrangements? 

Note that there are a number of assignments which operate on the mid 7 GHz frequency arrangement which can be re-assigned frequencies in the lower 7 GHz bands, such a change only requiring minimal re-tuning of frequencies. Examples of frequencies which will be re-tuned in this way are given in the table below.

Original 'mid' 7 GHz arrangement ​		New 'lower' 7 GHz arrangement ​		Channel widths supported ​	Change required ​
Low block (MHz)	Upper block (MHz)	Low block (MHz)	Upper block (MHz)
7253	7414	7254	7415	7 MHz	1 MHz frequency increase
7260	7421	7261	7422	7 and 14 MHz	​
7267	7428	7261	7422	7, 14 and 28 MHz	6 MHz frequency decrease
7267	7421	7261	7422	28 MHz	6 MHz frequency decrease and change to duplex separation

Licensees on these frequencies may prefer to re-tune to the alternative frequency arrangements rather than have their licenses withdrawn.  

Q 7: Will you be affected by the proposed changes in the 7 GHz band? If so, please explain to what extent.

2.5.2. 8 GHz Band

The figure below shows the current channel arrangement in the 8 GHz band

The band includes both channel arrangements based on multiples of 7 MHz as well as one based on 29.65 MHz channel bandwidths.  These overlapping arrangements are sub-optimal as each 29.65 MHz channel will cause interference to multiple channels based on the 7 MHz arrangement.

CITC’s national frequency plan (NFP) for this band states that it follows ITU-R Recommendation F.386.  This recommendation states:

“Administrations currently using channel arrangements based on the 29.65 MHz raster are encouraged, in the future, to migrate to this more efficient 28 MHz and sub-multiples channel arrangement”

As such, CITC is proposing to withdraw the following frequency arrangements from the 8 GHz band. 

Band​ ​	Low Block ​		Upper Block ​		Raster (MHz) ​	Duplex Separation (MHz) ​
	Start (MHz)	End (MHz)	Start (MHz)	End (MHz)
8 GHz	7747.7	7955.25	8059.02	8266.57	29.65	311.32

Q 8: Do you have any comments on the withdrawal of this 8 GHz channel arrangement? 

 2.5.3. 11 GHz Band

The figure below shows the current channel arrangement in the 11 GHz band

 

The band includes both channel arrangements based on multiples of 14 MHz as well as one based on 40 MHz channel bandwidths.  As with the previous bands, these overlapping arrangements are sub-optimal, reducing channel availability and increase the possibility of interference between users.  Benchmarking has identified the 40 MHz arrangement as being the most common internationally.  Further, over 90% of assignments in the band use the 40 MHz channel arrangement, the remainder of which are already reducing overall channel availability.

As such, CITC is proposing to withdraw the following frequency arrangements from the 11 GHz band. 

Band​ ​	Low Block ​		Upper Block ​		Raster (MHz) ​	Duplex Separation (MHz) ​
	Start (MHz)	End (MHz)	Start (MHz)	End (MHz)
11 GHz	10716	10926	11246	11456	14	530
​	10723	11143	11253	11673	28	530

Q 9: Do you have any comments on the withdrawal of these 11 GHz channel arrangements? If you are impacted, what are the specific obstacles to the change of plan?

 2.5.4. 15 GHz Band

The figure below shows the current arrangement of channels in the 15 GHz band.

 

The 15 GHz band has two arrangements for 7 MHz channel bandwidths.  Only one of these arrangements is recommended in ITU-Recommendation F.636, specifically where 3.5 MHz bandwidth channels are not in use.  As such, CITC is proposing to withdraw one of the 7 MHz arrangements as detailed in the table below.

Band​ ​	Low Block ​		Upper Block ​		Raster (MHz) ​	Duplex Separation (MHz) ​
	Start (MHz)	End (MHz)	Start (MHz)	End (MHz)
15 GHz	14515	14907	14935	15327	7	420​

Q 10: Do you have any comments regarding the withdrawal of this 15 GHz channel arrangements? 

 2.5.5. 23 GHz Band

The figure below shows the current channel arrangement in the 23 GHz band

 

There are two significantly overlapping channel arrangements, one with a 1232 MHz duplex separation, and one with a 1008 MHz duplex separation.  The arrangement with the 1008 MHz separation is only intended for countries which do not have access to the frequency range 21.2 to 22 GHz for fixed wireless links.  Given that this spectrum is available in Saudi Arabia, and given that the arrangement with 1232 MHz duplex separation has significantly more available channels, the arrangement with 1008 MHz duplex separation will therefore be withdrawn.

As such, CITC is proposing to withdraw the following frequency arrangements from the 23 GHz band. 

Band​ ​	Low Block ​		Upper Block ​		Raster (MHz) ​	Duplex Separation (MHz) ​
	Start (MHz)	End (MHz)	Start (MHz)	End (MHz)
23 GHz	22011.5	22585.5	23019.5	23593.5	7	1008
​	22015	22575	23023	23583	14	1008
​	22022	22554	23030	23562	28	1008
​	22078	22526	23086	23534	56	1008

Q 11: Do you have any comments on the withdrawal of these 23 GHz channel arrangements? 

2.6. Introduction of license exempt and light licensing in some bands

CITC’s spectrum outlook  and a recent public consultation “Radio Spectrum Allocation and Use Regulation for WLAN Applications”  have identified a number of frequency bands which are being investigated for light licensing including for high powered WLAN, and plans to license exempt spectrum for low powered WLAN.  Some of these bands are currently used for fixed wireless links (point-to-point and point-to-multipoint).  A separate consultation is examining the issues surrounding the spectrum light licensing regime , however as a result of that consultation, the frequency arrangements available for fixed wireless links are likely to change.  

License exempt use and light licensed use are on a non-interference basis, meaning that light licensed users must not cause interference to any other users, and must not claim protection from any interference caused by other users. The difficulty of operating a protected service in a band which is heavily used by users whose location may not be known (such as the current 2.4 GHz WiFi band) is significant.  Protection could be provided by geographic exclusion zones, by restricting access to certain frequencies, or by imposing transmission requirements so severe that the new technology would be unable to provide a useful service.  Where license exempt services operate in a band, CITC has no knowledge of the location or technical details of the use of license exempt devices as these do not require registration and if a complaint is received by CITC of interference to the incumbent user, there is no way that CITC would be able to quickly or straightforwardly identify the interferer.  CITC would be forced to conduct an extensive monitoring investigation which, due to the heavy use of the band, may still not reveal the exact location of the interferer. Under the proposed light licensing regime, CITC will have a register of users, however there may be several potential interferers and it may require significant investigation by CITC to identify the source of any interference. 

As such, it is not economically feasible to provide protection to any services operating in spectrum set-aside for license exempt use.  For light licensing, and in the longer term, a database will be used to assess access to bands where incumbent (i.e. fixed wireless link) users are present which will provide some protection but for the time being, CITC initially intends to mitigate against interference to fixed wireless links by either removing access to bands for fixed wireless links, or initially segregating bands into licensed and lightly licensed segments.

Q 12: Do you agree with the reasons behind the proposed changes?  Are there other methods of sharing between license exempt and fixed wireless links which CITC should consider?

The following changes are therefore being proposed:

• Access to the 6 GHz band for fixed wireless links is being withdrawn as it is proposed that this will be a license exempt and lightly licensed band.  Existing assignments in the band will therefore either cease or be re-farmed to other bands. The withdrawal of use of the band will follow the same steps and timetable identified for the withdrawal of other bands as per section ‎2.1.

Q 13: Will you be affected by the withdrawal of the 6 GHz band? If so, please provide details of how you will be impacted.

• Access to the 10 GHz band for fixed wireless links is being withdrawn as it is proposed that this will be a lightly licensed band.  Existing fixed assignments in the band will therefore either cease or be re-farmed to other bands. The withdrawal of use of the band will follow the same steps and timetable identified for the withdrawal of other bands as per section ‎2.1.

Q 14: Is there an ecosystem of equipment for use for light licensed purposes at 10 GHz?  In which frequency range does this operate?

• Access to the 70/80 GHz band will be made for lightly licensed use through a database approach. While we are automating the process, we will continue to allow applications for fixed wireless links on link-by-link basis (in either all or part of the band) such that there are no delays to the deployment of current users.

Q 15: Is CITC’s proposed approach to access the 70 and 80 GHz band reasonable?  Do you believe that it is necessary to wait for the database to provide light licensed access to the whole band?

2.7. Re-farming of bands for future 5G use

CITC’s spectrum outlook has identified the 25 GHz band as one which will be auctioned for IMT (5G) services.  Existing users of the band will therefore need to be re-farmed in order to permit the full band to be used for 5G.  In addition, CITC has identified the 28 GHz band for lightly licensed use, based on the use of 5G technologies.  This band will also need to be cleared of incumbent fixed wireless link use in order to permit these new lightly licensed services to access the spectrum.

As such, CITC is proposing to take the following actions:

• Access to the 25 GHz band for fixed wireless links is being withdrawn as it is proposed that this will be auctioned for IMT (5G) services.  The withdrawal of use of the band will follow the same steps and timetable identified for the withdrawal of other bands as per section ‎2.1.

• Exclusive access to the 28 GHz band for fixed wireless links is being withdrawn as it is proposed that this will be a lightly licensed band for short-range 5G applications.  The withdrawal of use of the band will follow the same steps and timetable identified for the withdrawal of other bands as per section ‎2.1.

Q 16: Will you be affected by the withdrawal of the 25 or 28 GHz bands for fixed wireless links? If so, please provide details of how you will be impacted.

2.8. Changes to the application form

Following research by CITC, it is proposed that a number of minor changes will be made to the application form used for fixed wireless links.  These changes are as follows:

▪ A requirement to provide details of the equipment’s frequency tolerance will be removed;

▪ The requirement to provide the manufacturer and model number of the transmitters, receivers and dishes in use will be added.

These changes will be implemented forthwith.

Q 17: Do you have any additional comments on the proposed changes to the fixed wireless link application form?

2.9. Changes to the link length policy

The purpose of CITC’s fixed wireless link length policy is to ensure that lower frequency bands are reserved for longer length links.  This is an efficient use of the spectrum as the propagation characteristics at higher frequencies makes it difficult to provide reliable long distance links.  Having reviewed the situation in several benchmark countries, a number of small changes are being proposed:

▪ The upper link length requirement is being removed, and instead replaced by a maximum e.i.r.p.  This provides greater flexibility for the use of the fixed wireless link bands (i.e. where longer line-of-sight paths may exist) whilst protecting all users from interference caused by the use of excessive power.

▪ The minimum link length categories are being rationalized in order to ensure that all bands are covered.  The previous policy specified particular minimum lengths for specific bands and as such, in theory, not all bands were covered.  This change ensures that all current (and any future) fixed wireless link bands have a clearly defined minimum link length.

▪ CITC will remove the minimum link length requirement of 1 km for frequencies over 40 GHz.  This is in line with the situation in many benchmark countries and will permit the use of the higher frequency fixed wireless link bands for shorter paths.

These changes will take effect forthwith.  The revised link length / e.i.r.p. policy can be found in the fixed wireless link policy, in section ‎3.4.5 of this consultation document.

Q 18: Do you have any additional comments on the proposed revision to the fixed wireless link length policy?

Q 19: Do you have any comments regarding the proposed maximum e.i.r.p. limit?

2.10. Summary of all proposed actions

The table below sets out all of the fixed wireless link bands affected by this action plan, and summarizes the changes being proposed.

Band/Topic​	Proposed change
2 GHz	Addition of 7 MHz channel bandwidths
6 GHz	Withdrawal of the use of the band for fixed wireless links Introduction of license exempt and light licensed use Re-farming existing fixed wireless link assignments
7 GHz	Withdrawal of the 'mid' channel arrangements Withdrawal of overlapping 28 MHz channel arrangements in the upper 7 GHz band Re-farming existing fixed wireless link assignments following the withdrawn channel arrangements
8 GHz	Withdrawal of the 29.65 MHz channel bandwidth Introduction of 56 MHz channel bandwidth Re-farming existing fixed wireless link assignments following the withdrawn channel arrangements
10 GHz	Withdrawal of the use of the band for exclusively assigned fixed wireless links Introduction of light licensed use Re-farming existing fixed wireless link assignments
11 GHz	Withdrawal of 14 and 28 MHz channel bandwidths Introduction of 80 MHz channel bandwidth Re-farming existing fixed wireless link assignments following the withdrawn channel arrangement
15 GHz	Withdrawal of overlapping 7 MHz channel arrangement Re-farming existing fixed wireless link assignments following the withdrawn channel arrangement
18 GHz	Introduction of 110 MHz channel bandwidth
23 GHz	Withdrawal of 1008 MHz duplex separation channel arrangement Introduction of 112 MHz channel bandwidth Re-farming existing fixed wireless link assignments following the withdrawn channel arrangement
25 GHz	Withdrawal of the use of the band for fixed wireless links Reframing existing fixed wireless link assignments Will be auctioned for 5G services
28 GHz	Withdrawal of the use of the band for exclusively assigned fixed wireless links Introduction of light licensed use Re-farming existing fixed wireless link assignments
32 GHz	Introduction of 112 and 224 MHz channel bandwidths
38 GHz	Introduction of 112 and 224 MHz channel bandwidths
60 GHz	Introduction of light licensed use (note: not currently a fixed wireless link band)
70/80 GHz (E-band)	Introduction of light licensed use Introduction of wider channel bandwidths (up to 2 GHz)
94 GHz (W-band)	Introduction of light licensed use (note: not currently a fixed wireless link band)
Correction of non-standard assignments	Users whose assignments are not in-line with the channel plan mentioned in section Error! Reference source not found. of this document will be Re-farmed
Application form	The requirement to provide details of the equipment's frequency tolerance will be removed; The requirement to provide the manufacturer and model number of the transmitters, receivers and dishes in use will be added
Link length policy	Withdrawal of maximum link length Introduction of maximum e.i.r.p.
Data cleansing	Re-farming of users whose assignments do not meet the fixed wireless link band plan Collection of missing or potentially erroneous data to ensure CITC's fixed wireless link license database is accurate

Q 20: Do you have any additional comments on the proposed action plan?

3.1. Introduction

This document is issued by the Communications and information Technology Commission (CITC) in accordance with its responsibility established under the Telecommunications Act  and the Bylaw to the Telecommunications Act  to ensure the efficient management of the radio spectrum. It establishes the frequency allocation and use regulations that apply to the use of the frequency bands for wireless links in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The regulations set out in this document are designed to ensure that equipment used by wireless links is operated in accordance with these regulations. The objectives for this document are to:

• Promote optimum utilization of the national spectrum resource.

• Ensure equitable access to spectrum by seeking a balance between complementary technologies and services.

• Support introduction of new services and spectrum uses for the benefit of the Kingdom, including promotion of emerging radio technologies.

• Ensure effective usage of frequencies with an acceptable level of interference.

• Ensure clarity and transparency of procedures.

• Ensure principles of equality and non-discrimination.

In order to meet these objectives, CITC is guided by the following principles:

• Promoting release and utilization of spectrum for the wider benefit of The Kingdom.

• Permitting the technology neutral use of spectrum where this is technically feasible. 

• Promote improved spectrum utilization, including the support of shared spectrum bands under appropriate technical conditions of use to ensure coexistence of services.

In line with these objectives, CITC wishes to ensure that, so far as is possible, spectrum for the fixed wireless links:

• Is used in a way which aligns with ITU band plans and international usage arrangements.

• Is arranged in ways which ensure spectrum is efficiently used.

• Minimizes situations which could lead to potential interference between users.

• Is used appropriately ensuring the propagation characteristics of the various fixed wireless link bands are taken into account when assigning frequencies.

• Have access to a range of bands and licensing options to permit the instigation of services in a timely manner.

fixed wireless links including fixed wireless access (FWA) provide an essential means of connectivity whether providing the last mile connection to homes and businesses, or backhauling large volumes of data between otherwise unconnected locations. 

3.2. Definitions 

The following definitions apply:

Fixed Service: The fixed service (or fixed radiocommunication service) provides a radiocommunication service between specified fixed points. 

Point to point links: A fixed radiocommunication service between two specified fixed points.

Point to multipoint links: A fixed radiocommunication service between a central hub station and a number of fixed user stations.

Channel Raster: The separation between adjacent channels used for fixed wireless links in a given frequency band.

Duplex Separation: The different between the transmit and receive frequencies of a two-way fixed wireless link.

Exclusive Licensing: A license which provides the use of a specific frequency in a specific location to a single user.

License Exempt: The shared use of spectrum by multiple users who do not require a license to operate equipment.  Technical restrictions (i.e. power and bandwidth) will apply.

Fixed Wireless Access: A commercially operated fixed radiocommunication service.  May comprise either point to point, or point to multipoint connections.

Harmful Interference: Interference which seriously degrades, obstructs or repeatedly interrupts a radio communication service operating in accordance with international radio regulations issued by International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

EIRP: The Effective Isotropic Radiated Power is the actual power emitted by the antenna.

Link Length: The link length is the distance between to fixed service stations.

Light Licensing:  An approach where spectrum is not exclusively assigned, but users need to register in order to have shared access to specified radio spectrum. Such approach includes: 

• Registration of location of usage.

• Use of systems to reduce interference between registered users, for example, by preventing new registrations that might interfere with existing registrations.

• Use of systems that dynamically allow use, including on a time-sharing basis, to enable band sharing between users in a band. 

3.3. Frequency Allcation for Fixed Wireless Links

There are 17 frequency bands that are allocated for use by fixed wireless links. This document sets out the regulations with respect to access to and use of these frequencies for the fixed wireless links. 

The following table sets-out the fixed wireless links frequency bands which CITC has allocated for the licensing of fixed wireless links. Note that P2P refers to use for fixed point-to-point links, P2MP refers to fixed point-to-multipoint links and FWA refers to the fixed wireless access.