Publications

Approach to future mobile use in high density areas and incumbent users in this band

JRC is pleased to note Ofcom’s proposal to enable Ofcom licensed fixed link access to the 32GHz frequency range. With the withdrawal of other fixed link bands, e.g. 1.4GHz and 26GHz, it is imperative that alternative options are enabled to address the increasing need for backhaul spectrum anticipated by the Energy Networks Operators as they seek to implement a private LTE (pLTE) based enhanced Operational Telecommunications capability (subject to spectrum access).

Energy Network Operators make significant use of narrow band terrestrial systems within VHF Band 148.0 to 149.0 MHz for a range of mission critical operational telecommunications services, to ensure the operational integrity of critical national infrastructure.

Sharing studies in 2002 demonstrated that the proposed MSS satellite services were unable to reliably detect and avoid the incumbent terrestrial services within the VHF band and the then Minister of State for E-Commerce and Competitiveness rejected any proposed use of the 148.0 - 149.0 MHz band for MSS satellite services at that time.

In light of Ofcom’s approach to clear fixed links from the High-Density Areas (HDA) whilst allowing them to remain in the non-High-Density Areas and the intention to establish a technical co-existence regime to afford appropriate protection of fixed links in non-HDAs then we encourage Ofcom to revisit its decision to block changes to existing links and the deployment of new fixed links in non-HDAs.