Licence-Exempt Spectrum - Emerging Challenges DOCUMENT #:GSC13-GRSC6-08 FOR:Presentation SOURCE:ISACC AGENDA ITEM:4.2 (GRSC) Wireless access including RLANs & ad-hoc Networking CONTACT(S):Doug Sward Submission Date: June 26, 2008 Doug Sward ISACC

2 Highlights of Current Activities Licence-Exempt (LE) radio bands provide users with the advantages of easy entry and cost savings Licence-exempt operators must be prepared for interference anytime (no interference/no protection) These bands are also designated for Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) devices as well as Short Range Devices (SRD) In Canada, RSS-210 sets out requirements for the certification of LE (i.e. unlicensed) low-power radiocommunication devices

3 Strategic Direction The original premise for the use of radio equipment in the LE bands was largely based on low-power, intermittent use The LE bands are home to a wide range of communication devices The consumer is rarely aware of the “buyer beware” nature of these bands The “no protection/no interference” regulatory concept is generally not known by the consumer

4 Strategic Direction Canadian LE bands are becoming highly populated in urban areas Studying interference issues – particularly in the MHz, MHz and GHz bands The impact will become more of an issue in the eyes of consumers

5 Challenges MHz and MHz Spread Spectrum Radio Users Users include Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs), school boards, counties, utilities, farmers, oilfields, etc. Types of systems: –Point-to-point –Point-to-multipoint –Mesh networks

6 Challenges WISPs sometimes complain about interference - usually from other spread spectrum radios New devices for ubiquitous type of services can monopolize large portions of the MHz band –On all the time. –Interference rugged Impact –Drop in capacity. –Lost of connection/service

7 Challenges 5 GHz RLANs WRC-03: provided a new allocation for the mobile service on a primary basis RLANs now have access to 455 MHz of spectrum in the 5 GHz range RLANs subject to a number of operational and technical provisions designed to mitigate interference to other primary services in the 5 GHz range –DFS: threshold + waveform detection

8 Challenges Weather radars operating in the MHz band require protection –Testing in Canada showed interference problem –Canada: notch out of MHz sub-band to protect weather radars Protection requirements for primary services in the 5 GHz range not likely to provide relief to lower LE bands.

9 Next Steps/Actions Greater use of cognitive radio equipment Possible need for additional spectrum in bands below 2.4 GHz Need solutions that are regional or global WRC-11 Agenda Item 1.22 on SRDs