IMT2000 (3G/UMTS)

The Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority (NPT) will in the following text describe the frequency situation for the third generation of mobile telecommunications systems. Both the global, as well as the European and national situation will be reflected. Also frequency bands designated to second generation of mobile systems will be mentioned.

GLOBAL:

Core bands:

At the Radio Conference in 1992, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) identified the core bands for a third generation mobile telecommunications system:

Terrestrial: 1885 – 1980 MHz / 2010 – 2025 MHz / 2110 – 2170 MHz (total 170 MHz)

Satellite: 1980 – 2010 MHz / 2170 – 2200 MHz (total 60 MHz)

The standard was originally named FPLMTS, but has later been renamed to IMT 2000. The IMT 2000 was meant to be one global standard, but this has not fully succeeded. During the nineties, several regional standards have developed around the world (USA, Japan and Europe).

The global core bands for IMT 2000 are shown in figure 1:

Figure 1: Global core bands for third generation of mobile telecommunications systems.

Extension bands:

Additional frequency bands for IMT 2000 were identified at the WRC 2000:

Terrestrial: 1710-1885 MHz (175 MHz) / 2520-2670 MHz (150 MHz) and parts of 806-960 MHz which is planned for/utilised by mobile radio services.

Satellite: 1525-1544 MHz (19 MHz) / 1545-1559 MHz (14 MHz) / 1610-1626.5 MHz (16.5 MHz) / 1626.5-1645.5 MHz (19 MHz) / 1646.5-1660.5 MHz (14 MHz) / 2483.5-2500 MHz (16.5 MHz) / 2500-2520 MHz (20 MHz) / 2670-2690 MHz (20 MHz)

The extension bands are to be available in 2010. In countries where the requirements for additional spectrum are limited, the extension bands can be used for other radio services in accordance with the frequency allocations in the Radio Regulations. The global extension bands are shown in figure 2:

Figure 2: Global extension bands for third generation of terrestrial mobile telecommunications systems (yellow label), and existing mobile systems inside these bands.

EUROPE:

Core bands:

The European standard for third generation is UMTS. There are 15 MHz less spectrum available for introduction of UMTS in Europe than identified by the ITU for IMT 2000. These 15 MHz are designated to DECT. A total of 155 MHz spectrum is anyway considered to be enough to ensure the introduction of UMTS. The European Post and Telecommunications Union (CEPT) designated the core band for UMTS in 1997 (ERC/DEC(97)07):

Terrestrial: 1900 – 1980 MHz / 2010 – 2025 MHz / 2110 – 2170 MHz (total 155 MHz)

Satellite: 1980 – 2010 MHz / 2170 – 2200 MHz (total 60 MHz)

Through ERC/DEC(97)07, the CEPT decides that at least 2x40 MHz spectrum shall be made available by 1^st of January 2002. Further spectrum could be made available by 1^st of January 2005 subject to markets demand. This decision is further extended through ERC/DEC(00)01, which imposes the entire 155 MHz to be made available by 1st of January 2002. Further, the CEPT has enveloped a harmonised spectrum scheme for UMTS; ERC/DEC(99)25.

The European core bands for UMTS are shown in figure 1.

Extension bands:

The frequency band 2520-2670 MHz was identified at the WRC 2000 as one of the global extension bands for terrestrial IMT 2000. This band was also the European candidate band in front of the WRC 2000 and further extension of the spectrum for 3G/UMTS is therefor expected in this band.

So far, the CEPT has not designated this extension band through an ERC Decision.

NORWAY

Strategy:

All European harmonised frequency bands for 3G systems are to be made available.

Core bands (licensing and assignments):

The core bands has been available since early nineties. A beauty contest has been arranged, and four licenses were assigned by 1^st of December 2000. Those who got a license were; Broadband Mobile ASA, NetCom GSM AS, Tele2 Norge AS, Telenor ASA. A total of seven operators tendered for 3G licenses. Each license consist of approximately 15 MHz (FDD) + 5 MHz (TDD). This spectrum is expected to cover the initial requirements.

The Norwegian channel arrangement/assignment of spectrum to operators are shown in figure 3:

Figure 3: Norwegian channel plan for third generation of mobile systems.

Extension bands:

Additional spectrum will be made available in accordance with CEPTs decisions and recommendations in the frequency band 2520-2670 MHz.

2520-2670MHz is only barely utilised in Norway. The users for whom the band has been opened are;

the Military (a couple of single channels)
Telenor -Fixed Wireless Access (in sparsely populated areas).
Radio links in the North Sea.
Mobile TV links (one assignment)

The licenses are all of limited duration and subject to possible withdrawal.

Available spectrum in the 900 and 1800 MHz bands:

There are unused spectrum in the 900 and 1800 MHz bands. On that basis, the Norwegian Government has proposed an auction of spectrum for second generation mobile systems in the state budget of 2001. The Norwegian Parliament has joined the proposal.

The NPT has drawn up a possible framework for the spectrum which is to be auctioned. The proposal is on public enquiry.

On a later stage, the 900 and 1800 MHz bands will be considered for IMT 2000 technology.