Aerospace industry makes urgent call for spectrum at airports, others say allocation needs further study

An industry disagreement about the allocation of spectrum in the L-band continues as parties argue whether a portion of the frequency should be set aside for aeronautical use, Industry Canada consultation documents show. The disagreement appears to show significant competition for Canadian spectrum as the Canadian aerospace industry makes an urgent call for additional aeronautical spectrum at two Canadian airports. But other organizations say further study is needed, and one company argues the band is better used for broadband services. In December 2009, Industry Canada initiated a public review of spectrum allocations and utilization policies for the L-Band (1435-1535 Mhz). The department’s goal was to generate activity in some under-used portions of the band. The L-Band is currently divided into three sub-bands: one designated for subscriber radio systems (SRS); one for digital audio broadcasting (DAB); and another segment further divided into a channeling plan for SRS and unused mobile-satellite service (MSS). While SRS provides basic telephony services, usually in rural areas, DAB allows broadcasting in the AM and FM bands. In its consultation document, Industry Canada proposes to allocate the first portion of the band for flexible use for fixed and mobile services, and to allocate the second portion for fixed, mobile and broadcasting services. The department suggests that the third portion (1492-1525 MHz) be designated for aeronautical mobile telemetry (AMT). The Canadian aerospace industry has expressed an urgent need for an additional 25 MHz of AMT spectrum allocations covering a 320 kilometre radius from points at the Montréal-Mirabel International Airport and the Toronto Downsview Airport. However the Radio Advisory Board of Canada (RABC) says it is concerned that re-designating this portion for AMT requires further examination to determine whether AMT and SRS can co-exist in shared areas. “Re-designating the band 1492-1525 MHz for AMT could have a number of consequential effects on existing services in that band, most notably on existing Subscriber Radio Systems (SRS). For the most part, these systems are used to provide telephone access facilities in high-cost rural and remote regions of the country,” the RABC writes in comments submitted as part of the consultation. “We suggest that some of the technical assumptions dealing with AMT/SRS interference, as well as technical alternatives for SRS displacements have not been adequately studied.” The RABC agrees with Industry Canada’s proposal to open the rest of the band for flexible use. Bell Canada, Bombardier Aerospace, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB), the CBC, Rogers Communications, Saskatchewan Communications (SaskTel) and Telus Corp. also submitted comments, loosely aligning themselves with the RABC position. Most of the companies say they have concerns that the transition period to AMT will create interference. “Given SRS incumbency in the band and the significant number of customers potentially affected and/or disrupted by this test, Bell submits that it is reasonable that it be provided with a right to sign-off prior to any changes being implemented. If during the 3-month review period it can be demonstrated that there is significant potential for Bell systems and subscribers to be adversely impacted, then further testing should not be permitted to take place,” Bell writes in its comments. One industry source told The Wire Report that Industry Canada is likely to further study the coexistence of AMT and SRS in the same band. Telecom companies are also expressing concern about the cost of re-tuning of their equipment when the spectrum is reallocated. “Bell's analysis suggests that significant development work and costs are likely to be involved in any such change, and we cannot commit to this without the opportunity to fully review the test plan, actual test results and to conduct the necessary subsequent analysis to determine the actual re-tuning related costs,” says Bell’s submission. The CAB argues that AMT should not be given priority usage in the band over flexible services. “We question why the requirement for temporary accommodation of AMT within 1452-1492 MHz should be considered by the Department to be any more urgent than the requirements that other prospective users, including broadcasters, have identified for this same band (e.g. for Fixed Services and Mobile),” the CAB writes in its comments. “We believe that the public interest will best be served if our industry continues to be provided with a substantial, exclusive band of spectrum, in the range 1452-1492 MHz, within which new digital broadcasting services can be authorized via traditional means of government licensing.” SaskTel, which currently uses the band for SRS, recommends that Industry Canada designate a portion of the spectrum for AMT use only in the areas surrounding the airports, instead of the whole country. Mirabel, Que.-based Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd. (BHTCL) supports the band’s use for AMT services. The company argues that that failing to allocate more spectrum for aeronautical use would create “unacceptable delays” for flight test programs. “Complexity of new aircraft, continuously increasing demands in flight test data, certification requirements, higher data rate and resolution are the main driver for increased AMT frequency spectrum. Future development programs will also depend on it,” the company says in its comments. BHTCL agrees with the RABC that further study is required to determine whether SRS and AMT can co-exist. Xittel Telecommunications Inc., a local exchange carrier and Internet service provider (ISP) based in Trois-Rivières, Que., suggests in its comments that the entire L-band be allocated to broadband services. The company argues that the band is being under-used for telecommunication purposes. “Xittel submits that use of the 1.4 GHz band , at terms and conditions similar to the WBS band, would avoid having to use several technologies, and would go a long way towards making deployments in rural Canada more economically viable,” says the company’s comments. kfournier@thewirereport.ca

Aerospace industry makes urgent call for spectrum at airports, others say allocation needs further study

News | March 22, 2010

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