ASIA-PACIFIC TELECOMMUNITY

12/49, Soi 5, Chaengwattana Road Bangkok 10210, Thailand Date: 16 September 2008

URL: http://www.apt.int Telephone : + 66 2 5730044 Facsimile : + 66 2 5737479

Subject: Spectrum Working Group Activities during the 5th APT Wireless Forum Meeting, 26 29 August 2008, Macao, China

Dear Sir/Madam, As you would recall, the APT Wireless Forum (AWF) completed its latest meeting (AWF-5) in Macao, Peoples Republic of China, on 29 August, 2008. As part of its considerations, the meeting considered the work that had been undertaken since its previous meeting and, in particular, the tasks attributed to the six Sub-Working Groups of the AWFs Spectrum Working Group (SWG). In addition, an Ad Hoc group was established to review the status of the AWF data base project. You will find attached the report from the Spectrum Working Group, arising from this latest AWF meeting (document AWF-5/OUT-13). The AWF continued its consideration of submissions from one of APTs affiliate members, SITA, on the use of mobile terminals on board aircraft. Finally, the SWG considered the upcoming program of events and milestones for the implementation of the AWF data base project. The purpose of this communication is to bring these matters to your attention and also to seek responses from your administration on a number of items for consideration at the forthcoming AWF sixth meeting, expected to be held in first quarter of 2009. Matters relating to each of the groups are dealt with in turn, as indicated below. Sub-WG 1 1-FWA sharing with IMT-2000 This group, which deals with studies on the co-existence between IMT-2000 technologies, and between IMT-2000 technologies and other wireless access technologies, finalized the first version of its report on a number of sharing studies. This report (Studies on the CoExistence between IMT-2000 Technologies and between IMT-2000 Technologies and other Wireless Access Technologies in Adjacent and Near-Adjacent Frequency Bands) can be downloaded from http://www.aptsec.org/Program/AWF/pawf.html. Work will continue in order to address the interference scenarios that have not yet been fully addressed and input from members is welcomed on these remaining interference scenarios that have yet to be treated in any detail. APT members are encouraged to carry out work on these sharing studies in the period leading up to the next AWF meeting. Page 1 of 6

The draft report that has been circulated covers the following interference scenarios: 1. CDMA2000 downlink in 1930 1990 MHz and the WCDMA uplink in 1920 1980 MHz 2. Co-existence between TD-SCDMA and PHS 3. CDMA2000 downlink in 869 - 894 MHz and the GSM or WCDMA uplink in 880 915 MHz 4. Co-existence between CDMA2000 networks operating in the 450 470 MHz band and other services The interference scenarios where contributions are sought are: CDMA2000 uplink in 1850 - 1910 MHz and the GSM downlink in 1805 - 1880 MHz TDD and FDD systems at 2 GHz PHS systems in the 1885-1920 MHz band and WCDMA uplinks in the 1920-1980 MHz band You are requested to forward the results of your studies, along with any other comments, to the Sub-Working Group 1 e-mail reflector (spec-subwg1@aptsec.org), for consideration by all members of the group. The format of the Report should be followed, as appropriate, when preparing your submissions. The group considered text for additional material to be included in the Report that had been developed covering guidance on How to Manage CDMA2000 800 MHz and GSM 900 MHz operated with minimal Guard Band. The initial version of this text can be found in Document AWF-IM4/TMP-08. At the AWF-5 meeting, it was agreed to update the sharing studies Report to include this text. This modification to the Report will now be circulated to AWF administrations in accordance with the AWF Document Approval procedure. Sub-WG 1 2-digital dividend resulting from the introduction of digital terrestrial television broadcasting in the band 470-806 MHz It was agreed at the AWF-4 meeting that the terms of reference of Sub-WG1 be expanded to allow studies of the potential digital dividend resulting from the introduction of digital terrestrial television broadcasting. The Terms of Reference are: 1. To review the availability of spectrum resulting from the introduction of digital terrestrial television broadcasting in the band 470-806 MHz and the potential alternative uses of the spectrum so released. 2. To develop recommended harmonised approaches for the introduction of new wireless technologies, services and applications in released spectrum, including preferred frequency bands and associated technical characteristics. After discussions at the AWF-IM4 meeting, on a number of input documents on this subject, the following Digital Dividend objectives were agreed: Objective 1: Develop reference material for APT members that will inform their decision making on Digital Dividend policies, timeframes, frequency bands, possibilities for harmonization, etc.

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Recommended Action: Additional presentations at the next AWF meeting, possibility of posting reference material on the AWF website under SWG-1

Objective 2: Gather further information on the Digital Dividend policies and plans of APT Member countries. Recommended Action: Develop a Questionnaire to be circulated to APT members. The goal would be to finalize the questionnaire at the August AWF5 meeting in Macau. The feedback received from the questionnaire would be included in an AWF Report.

At the AWF-5 meeting, after discussion of a number of input documents on this subject, the questionnaire was agreed in the Spectrum Working Group and the action to send out the questionnaire was approved by the AWF Plenary. The text of the questionnaire can be found in document AWF-5/OUT-11. This questionnaire is being sent to AWF administrations in a separate circular e-mail. APT members are encouraged to submit contributions in response to the questionnaire either to the Sub-Working Group 1 e-mail reflector (specsubwg1@aptsec.org), for consideration by all members of the group, or directly to the next AWF-6 meeting. You are also requested to forward the results of any studies or other documents on this subject including proposals for a work plan for sharing studies associated with this task, as well as any other comments, to the Sub-Working Group 1 e-mail reflector, for consideration by all members of the group. Alternatively, contributions will be very welcome at the AWF-6 meeting. It is noted that a number of administrations have not yet taken decisions on this issue and may not be in a position to respond in the near term. Sub-WG 2 PPDR frequency harmonization This group deals with the harmonised use of frequencies in the region for Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR). Following on from the approval of a APT/AWF Recommendation on PPDR use of the 4940-4990 MHz band, the work of Sub-WG2 continues with the development of similar Recommendations covering PPDR use in a number of UHF bands for narrow band PPDR applications. The frequency bands concerned are: 380-400 MHz, 406.1-430 MHz, 440-470 MHz and 806-824/851-869 MHz. After discussion of a number of input documents, a [Preliminary Draft New] Report on Harmonized use of the Bands 406.1-430 MHz, 440-470 MHz, 746-806 MHz, 806-824/851869 MHz, 4 940-4 990 MHz and 5 850-5 925 MHz for PPDR Applications was developed by the group as a working document that will be further considered at the next AWF-6 meeting. This text can be found in document AWF-5/TMP-09 (Rev.1). With respect to this study, it was noted in the report of the Spectrum Working Group, mentioned above, that when considering this document there is some concern as to whether the band 746806 MHz should be considered, as it was agreed that such use of this band for PPDR raised some sensitive issues and that particular care would be needed in the studies.

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The group also developed a text for a Draft APT contribution to ITU-R WP5A as a working draft to be carried forward to the AWF-6 meeting, on Proposed Changes to the WP 5A Draft Recommendation on Harmonized Frequency Arrangement for PPDR in the VHF and UHF bands. This text can be found in document AWF-5/TMP-10. You are invited to forward your material and any comments on these two matters to the SubWorking Group 2 e-mail reflector (spec-subwg2@aptsec.org), for consideration by all members of the group. Contributions will also be very welcome at the AWF-6 meeting itself. Sub-WG 3 Aeronautical and maritime matters After the approval of the AWF Opinion on a Framework for the use of mobile phones on board aircraft, Sub-WG3 finalised its consideration of guidelines on technical conditions for the use of mobile phones onboard aircraft. These guidelines after being agreed in the Spectrum Working Group, were approved by the AWF Plenary. The guidelines text (Guidelines on Technical Conditions for the Use of Mobile Phones Onboard Aircraft) can be found in Document AWF-5/OUT-4 (Rev.1). The group also considered the proposal in document AWF-5/INP-60 on the use of mobile terminals on board vessels. It was agreed, both in the Spectrum Working Group and in the AWF Plenary, that activity should commence in the AWF on this issue. You are kindly requested to consider document AWF-5/INP-60 and to submit contributions on the topic to the next AWF-6 meeting. The Terms of Reference of Sub-WG3 have now been expanded to include activities on both aeronautical and maritime matters. Sub-WG 4 Broadband Wireless Access and Software Defined Radio The Sub-Working Group considered the material contained in documents AWF-5/INP-14 and INP-21 and agreed to update the text of the draft new report on Characteristics and Requirements for Broadband Wireless Access Systems accordingly. The revised text can be found in document AWF-5/TMP-06 (Rev.1). You are requested to review the material in Document AWF-5/TMP-06 (Rev.1) and to forward the results of any relevant studies, along with any other comments, to the SubWorking Group 4 e-mail reflector (spec-subwg4@aptsec.org), for consideration by all members of the group. Contributions will also be very welcome at the AWF-6 meeting. The group also considered the development of frequency arrangements for the use of the bands 2300-2400 MHz and 2500-2690 MHz. After discussion, it was agreed that the AWF should discuss frequency arrangements for the use of the band 2 300 2 400 MHz in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, noting that ITU-R WP 5D is developing harmonized frequency arrangements for the bands newly identified for IMT by WRC-07 (including 2 300 2 400 MHz), it was also agreed that the results of this AWF activity could be submitted to future ITU-R WP5D meetings. You are kindly requested to submit contributions on the topic, either to the Sub-Working Group 4 e-mail reflector (spec-subwg4@aptsec.org), for consideration by all members of the group, or, alternatively, to the next AWF-6 meeting. Page 4 of 6

With respect to the band 2 500 2 690 MHz, it was noted that ITU-R WP 5D had already developed harmonized frequency arrangements (which can be found in Recommendation ITU-R M.1036-3) and, as a result, it was decided not to commence studies on the development of APT/AWF frequency arrangements for that band at this stage. However, it was agreed that the opinion of APT member administrations would be sought on what would be a possible way forward to facilitate shared use of the band. You are kindly requested to consider this issue and to and to submit contributions on the topic, either to the Sub-Working Group 4 e-mail reflector (spec-subwg4@aptsec.org), for consideration by all members of the group, or, alternatively, to the next AWF-6 meeting. In the Spectrum Working Group meeting report, it was indicated that the Chairman, SWG, would discuss the issue of making the detailed AWF Work Plan item for the development of frequency arrangements for the use of the band 2300-2400 MHz available to ITU-R Working Party 5D with the APT Secretary-General. These discussions have concluded that the AWF Work Plan is a publicly available text (see http://www.apt.int/Program/AWF/pawf.html) and, as such, such text can be made available as information to WP5D. Sub-WG 5 RFID, UWB and Short Range Devices The Sub-Working Group considered the material contained in a number of input documents and finalized the draft new APT Report Common Frequency Bands for Operation of Short Range Radiocommunication Devices Document No. AWF-5/OUT-02 (Rev.1). After agreement in the AWF Plenary, this text will now be circulated to AWF administrations in accordance with the AWF Document Approval procedure. The SWG also decided to seek advice from AWF members on topics for future consideration in Sub-Working Group 5 (such as Intelligent Transport Systems ITS). You are kindly requested to provide submissions on potential topics for future study for consideration at the AWF-6 meeting. Sub-WG 6 Spectrum Monitoring The Sub-Working Group considered the draft report material contained in Document AWF5/INP-58 and its attachments as well as additional input material provided by administrations during the meeting. The spectrum monitoring survey in that document was updated accordingly and the current version (AWF-5/INP-58 (Rev.2) and its six attachments) will be carried forward to the next AWF meeting for further development. Administrations who have not yet responded to the survey are kindly requested to provide relevant details to update the report since the report material is basic information for understanding the status and situation of current spectrum monitoring works in each member administration. You are requested to provide such submissions for consideration at the AWF-6 meeting. Ad Hoc Group on the AWF Data Base Project One of the tasks of the Spectrum Working Group is to Construct and maintain a database of major radiocommunications systems including operators and IMT-2000 in APT member countries. Page 5 of 6

At the AWF-3 meeting, a Draft New Recommendation on The APT spectrum database guidelines for constructing and maintaining the APT frequency information system was developed. This was subsequently approved through the AWF document approval process. At the AWF-5 meeting, the Ad Hoc group dealing with this project first reviewed the progress report in document AWF-5/INP-47 and then considered the actions proposed in document INP-24. From these considerations, a Work Plan for Implementation of APT Frequency Information System (AFIS) was developed. This can be found in document AWF-5/OUT-06 (Rev.1). The group also considered a system of classification of radiocommunication services and applications. As a result, the document Draft New APT Guideline Regarding APT Frequency Information System was developed and agreed in the AWF Plenary. This can be found in document AWF-5/OUT-12. You are kindly requested to review these texts and to consider whether your administration can participate in the testing process for the AFIS system and SWEFT tool in conjunction with the APT Secretariat on the test server that is being set up and inform the Secretariat accordingly. Conclusion In conclusion, I would like to recommend your detailed consideration of the matters raised above. They are all different aspects of a movement towards more harmonized use of the radio frequency spectrum in the region, this being one of the major objectives of the APT Wireless Forum. I thank you in advance for your cooperation. Yours faithfully, John Lewis Chairman, Spectrum Working Group APT Wireless Forum

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