The frequency portal contains information on individual frequency bands and how to use them. Hyperlinks are available to some nationwide and regional frequency licences. It is also possible to access international harmonisation agreements adopted by the Norwegian telecommunications authorities.
The NPT has posted national and regional frequency licences, including licenses for public mobile communication, fixed radio links and fixed wireless access. These are licences that have normally been allocated after a form of competition, and which are considered commercially attractive. As the licences are regional or national, it can readily be observed that the frequencies are not available to other users
Some frequency bands are managed according to the first come, first served principle, which means that licences are allocated on a continuous basis as and when the applicants present themselves. Typical examples of this are PMR and single fixed radio links. These licences have not been posted as the opportunities for being allocated the same frequency/corresponding frequency resource will depend on where the communications are to be set up.
The NPT delivers data to a common European Frequency Information System (EFIS) under the direction of the European Radiocommunications Office in Copenhagen. This gateway contains data from a number of European regulators and the intention is to give players in the telecommunications industry an immediate overview of the frequency use at European level.
The NPT's database for frequency use is not developed to contain information in both Norwegian and English. Therefore data partially in Norwegian and partially in English have been stored. In the longer term, a wholly Norwegian and a wholly English frequency portal will be developed.
Norwegian frequency resources are managed by the NPT. Anyone wishing to use frequencies that are not generally accessible (see the regulations on general licenses) will have to apply to the NPT.
The NPT has posted application forms for fixed radio links, broadcasting and PMR frequencies on its website. Applications for other frequencies must be made in writing to the NPT.
Frequency licences are allocated in two different ways, either continuously (first come, first served) or after publication. Allocations are made on a continuous basis in the frequency bands that have been reserved for PMR and radio link systems.
Normally, the NPT will publish frequencies that are organized into blocks. These may be either regional or nationwide. Block licences are exclusive, which means that no other party can be allocated the same resource within the same area. To ensure that all parties that may wish to acquire such frequency block will have the opportunity to do so, the NPT will publish the block when it is available.
Publication means that the NPT makes it known that we have received applications for the relevant frequency block. This means that all subscribers to news reports from the NPT will receive an e-mail to this effect, and that information about how to apply and application deadlines etc. will be posted on NPT's website.
Other parties interested in the relevant frequency block will have to report their interest to the NPT by the expiry of a given deadline. The deadline will vary somewhat, but will in most cases be between four and six weeks.
If no other party applies for the published frequency block, it will be allocated to the original applicant. Should several parties apply for the same resource, the NPT will allocate it by means of a competitive procedure
If applying for a frequency licence according to the "first come, first served" principle, it will at most take six weeks from a complete application is received by the NPT to the licence is issued.
If the application is for a frequency block that needs to be published, the allocation will take longer, depending on the length of deadline, to allow other parties to declare their interest, and whether a competitive procedure is required.
If it is necessary to coordinate the frequency utilisation with neighbouring countries, a frequency licence shall be issued no later than six weeks after the NPT has received a reply from the neighbouring country. Normally, it takes a long time to obtain replies to such enquiries.
Basically, a frequency licence is free of charge. In the event of an auction, any auction price will have to be paid before a frequency licence is issued.
However, holders of frequency licences must pay an annual fee to the NPT. The fee is meant to cover the NPT's expenses related to the administration of frequencies, and is described in the license fee regulations. Some fees are determined by means of individual decisions.
The frequency licences will normally describe the area of utilisation. The NPT's long-term objective is for the frequency licences to be as technology neutral as possible.
Terms and conditions may be stipulated for licences to use frequencies in the electromagnetic frequency spectrum. These following terms and conditions are defined in Section 6-3 of the ecom Act:
1.
statement of services, network type or technology for which the spectrum shall be used
2.
actual and effective use of the spectrum
3.
geographic and population-related coverage
4.
technical and operational matters to avoid harmful interference and to limit the risk involved in electromagnetic radiation
5.
the duration of the authorisation
6.
the right to assign spectrum rights
7.
the fee for authorisation
8.
individual obligations according to offerings
9.
obligations in regard to relevant international agreements on the utilisation of the spectrum.
Yes. This can be done through lease and lending agreements, coordinating agreements and similar. The regulatory responsibility remains with the party that was originally allocated the licence. As a general rule, this form for transfer is permitted although licences allocated for public mobile communication and for broadcasting contain some limitations.
Frequency licences may not be freely traded. Applications to transfer the frequency licences to others must be submitted to the Ministry of Transport and Communications, unless it is a license as described in the section for transfers of licenses.
This will normally be described in the frequency licence. Often, a licence will not require a specific standard, but will lay down technical conditions that need to be complied with.
One frequency licence is sufficient for services that are covered by the ecom Act.
The cultural authorities have separate requirements relating to licences for broadcasting services.
A building permit may be required before installing an antenna system.
The regulations relating to radiation protection and use of radiation, issued on 21 November 2003, require that all exposure shall be kept as low as practically possible and that, normally, relevant guidelines from the ICNIRP shall be complied with (Chapter 6).
The Norwegian Frequency Plan is largely based on the European Frequency Plan, which in its turn is based on the Frequency Plan of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This plan is based on an international harmonisation effort, which has over several years led to a division of the frequency bands into various services.
This division has been extremely important for some services, for example radio communications with air traffic and satellite services. For a few other services technical developments have resulted in the ITU plan having an almost restrictive effect. The long-term objective of the NPT is to develop frequency licences that are as technology-neutral as possible.
Regulation no. 1399 of 20 December 2000 on authorised frequency use grants a general authority to use frequencies. It is therefore not necessary to apply for individual licences for frequency use as defined in the regulations, as long as the technical requirements are complied with.
Manufacturers of radio equipment may find it easier to achieve economies of scale if the use has been harmonised. In most cases, the Norwegian market is too small to be considered commercially interesting by manufacturers of equipment for developing, manufacturing, marketing and selling radio equipment that is especially adapted for Norway. Building on opportunities to follow up harmonising will ensure availability of this type of radio equipment in Norway, and will thereby give Norwegian users and consumers access to services based on such radio equipment and the relevant frequency use.
Harmonised use of frequencies is one of several purposes of the rules and common European policy relating to frequency management in the EEA. Harmonised Frequency Planning has in some cases been expressed by the EU deciding to participate in the planning of certain frequencies for certain technologies. Such decisions will most often be relevant to the EEA, and are also included in Annexe XI to the EEA Agreement, making them binding on Norway. These regulations are based on some of these decisions.
The EU Parliament and Council decision No. 710/97/EC lays down the rules governing a harmonised approach to the requirements for licences to use frequencies for satellite terminals, as amended through decision No 1215/2000/EC, and included in Annexe XI to the EEA Agreement. The purpose of these decisions is to stimulate a rapid introduction of boundary-crossing satellite communication within the EEA. A coordinated approach to regulating and requirements for licences in the member states is one of the central mechanisms for reaching this objective. The decisions form part of the background for the CEPT-based effort with recommendations and decisions on a harmonised frequency use for satellite terminals. The NPT has decided to exempt individual licensing obligation for even more satellite terminals than those that have so far been harmonised by the EU/CEPT. This is because the likelihood of interference is considered to be relatively insignificant.
The CEPT countries prepare recommendations and decisions related to harmonised frequency use. Recommendations and decisions made by the ERC are not legally binding on Norway, but through the NPT's accession to the recommendations and decisions, an impression has been given of an intention to comply with the minimum level of the proposed European harmonising efforts.
ERC Rec 70-03 contains proposals for a harmonised use of segments of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum, and the current regulations have in part been based on this recommendation. Also, other ERC decisions to which the NPT has agreed have been implemented in Section 6 of the regulations.
The NPT has for the time being decided not to give dispensations for the use of higher output power in individual frequency bands comprised by the general licenses, for example for radioLAN in 2.4 GHz, whereas it is possible in some frequency bands, for example VSAT in 14 GHz.
The reason why no dispensation is given is that several standards for equipment with low output power is developed precisely with the intention that all users shall use a low output power. As no individual licence is required, the NPT has no indication of where the different installations are located. In areas with high population density interference will quickly occur when a user installs external antennae with a higher field gain than that permitted by the general licenses.
On the other hand, there is no doubt that in some sparsely populated areas in Norway it will be quite possible to permit higher output without affecting others. It will then be possible to deliver broadband services with very cost-effective radio equipment.
The possibility of authorising higher output in individual frequency bands in individual geographical regions will be studied in further detail in the future. The question will in part depend on whether it is necessary to administer an individual licensing system with the authorities or if the technical development will lead to radio equipment that is capable of handling its own interference situation.
