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
