F REQUENCIES U SAGE

The new communications law confirmed the State monopoly over spectrum. State Commission for Radio Frequencies (GKRCh) ensures the effective allocation of frequencies.

State Radio Frequency Service (General Radio Frequency Centre of Radio Frequency Centre of FD) carries out the technical works for the organization of duly usage of frequencies (for example, electromagnetic compatibility expertise).

Spectrum regulations in Russia consist of frequency bands allocation and frequencies (frequency channels) assignment. Radio frequency assignment is a written permission of Ministry of Communications to use specified radio frequency or radio frequency channel with specified radio electronic facility (REF). This permission is required for operation of any wireless equipment in Russia. The current procedure for the obtaining of frequency assignment is non-transparent due to the lack of by-laws, but the new communications law defines the following stages (Table 21).

Table 21. Procedure for the Frequency Assignment

Step Document Regulatory body

Period of decision

making

Validity period 1 Decision concerning

frequency band allocation GKRCh –

10 years or less (if shorter period has been requested) 2

Experts opinion regarding the usage in Russia of REF in question and its

EMC

The first step to get the frequency assignment for REF is to obtain the decision of GKRCh concerning the frequency band allocation unless permission is already issued for the similar equipment type. GKRCh’s permission is the basis for the import and certification of wireless equipment. This permission is also necessary for obtaining of the mobile service license.

The ground for getting a permission for frequency use is experts’ opinion made by the State Radio Frequency Service regarding the utilization in Russia of equipment in question and its electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

To get the permission for frequency use, the applicant submits to Ministry of Communications the application for frequency assignment with information about corresponding GKRCh’s decision. Formerly, the bodies of Frequency Service assigned the frequencies directly.

Spectrum usage fee is one of the most important conceptual principles stated by the new communications law. Before the users of spectrum were charged in accordance with the Decree # 552 of Government of 02.06.98 “Introduction of fees for use of the radio-frequency spectrum”. According to the law, frequencies users pay nonrecurrent and annual fee depending on the used frequency bands, number of frequencies, employing technologies, etc.

The spectrum usage tariffs are the subject for the additional regulation, which is expected in second quarter of 2004.

Frequencies in Russia are allocated according to the Table of frequency bands allocation among radio systems of Russian Federation in the band of 3 kHz – 400 GHz (the Table of year 1996 is currently in force). Table defines the three categories of frequency bands: for priority use by government radio systems including national security, defense and law enforcement purposes (27% of spectrum in the frequency band 3 kHz –30 GHz), for priority use by civil radio systems including cellular systems (4%) and the frequencies for joint use by civil and military organizations (69%). For the comparison, on average 30%-40% of the spectrum in the world were delegated for the civil purposes.

The approval of new addition of Table is scheduled for second quarter of 2004. It is expected that according to new Table 20% of the spectrum will be used by governmental organizations, 63% will be allocated for joint use and 17% will be used by civil operators [36].

The property rights for frequencies resource depend on the possibility of rights transmission to other user, the possibility of unlimited frequencies management including the right to occupy, divide and lease, and the possibility of assignment of spectrum usage purpose. Table 22 demonstrates comparison of the rights of frequencies users in different countries including Russia.

Table 22. Radio Frequencies Allocation and Rights of Spectrum Users

9.2.1 Spectrum Allocation for GSM-900 Networks

900 MHz band is the most complex from the point of view of legal and technical aspects of the spectrum use. In Russia frequency bands 915-935 and 960-1215 MHz are allocated for priority use by government radio systems (category GOVT). Moreover, band 862-960 MHz is allocated primarily to the aeronautical radio navigation service, and a short-range navigation and landing systems (RSBN/PRMG) is in operation in those bands on the territory of Russia and CIS countries [38].

Nowadays only 15% (except for several regions, where 50% of bands are available) of nominal GSM-900 frequencies can be used in practise.

Figure 27. Spectrum Allocation in the 900 MHz Band

Europe UIC

43 Here is regular fee for frequencies usage unlike the fixed sum paid for right of spectrum usage in accordance with the auction results.

44 According to new communications law the license for frequency usage may be issue through the auction or competitive tender (see section 9.3).

45 Only partial rights assignation is allowed.

In year 2001 Ministry of Defence initiated modernization of radio navigation and landing systems equipment aimed at free 900 MHz frequency band for mobile networks (Decree No.

1564-r of November 23, 2001). The program is financed by Ministry of Communications.

Unfortunately, the program runs rather slowly due to the insufficient governmental funding.

9.2.2 Spectrum Allocation for 3G Networks

The European Union has created 3G system called Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). The following frequencies were allocated for UMTS development: for terrestrial - 1900-1980, 2010-2025, 2110-2170 MHz and for Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) – 1980-2010, 2170-2200 MHz (Figure 28).

Following Europe, Russian Ministry of Communications endorsed the evolution to UMTS based on the ITU’s framework IMT-2000. According to the Table of frequencies allocation, frequency bands 1885-2025 MHZ and 2110-2200 MHz are aimed at 3G systems deployment in Russia, the first one belongs to joint-use category and second - for priority use by government radio systems. Currently these frequencies are used in Russia for radio systems of civil and military services: fixed service radio-relay stations, air navigation services, weather-stations, satellite communication systems and services of space exploration. The analysis of the 2 GHz band utilization shows that 3G mobile systems will not be electromagnetic compatible with existing infrastructure. It is necessary to redeploy this spectrum for 3G networks development.

At first State Commission for Radio Frequencies has allowed in March of 2000 the use of the following radio frequency bands to build 3G pilot zones in Russia: 1927.5-1932.5 MHz, 1932.5-1937.5, 1937.5-1942.5 MHz, 2015-2020 MHz, 2020-2025 MHz, 2117.5-2122.5 MHz, 2122.5-2127.5 MHz and 1927.5-1932.5 (Figure 28).

Figure 28. Spectrum Allocation in the 2 GHz Band

1850 1900 1950 2000 2050 2100 2150 2200 2250 MHz

Europe

18801900 1980 2010 2025 2110 2170 2200

Source: Bjhovskiy, 2002

In February, 2001, State Commission for Radio Frequencies allocated the frequencies for 3G pilot zones launching in two Russian capitals (Figure 29). Currently mobile operators are testing 3G services in forth pilot zones: in Moscow (MTS, VimpelCom, MegaFon) and in St.

Petersburg (MegaFon).

Figure 29. Frequencies Allocated for 3G Pilot Zones in Moscow and St. Petersburg

1850 1900 1950 2000 2050 2100 2150 2200 2250 MHz

1927,5 1952,5 2015 2025 2117,5 2142,5

1962,51967,5 2152,5 2157,5

9.2.3 Spectrum Allocation for IMT-MC-450 Networks

In Russia 450 MHz frequency band belongs to category of joint use by civil and military organizations and is highly utilized by wireless equipment of all purposes. Since year 1995 frequencies 453-457.5 and 463-467.5 MHz were allocated for NMT-450 mobile networks (Figure 30).

Figure 30. Spectrum Allocation in the 450 MHz Band

410 430 450 MHz

Decree of GKRCh of 24.12.2001 permitted to use frequencies in bands of NMT-450 standard (453-457.5 and 463-467.5 MHz) for networks deployment of IMT-MC-450 standard. This will replace step-by-step existing NMT-450 networks. Decree of GKRCh of 19.08.2002 defined the minimal free frequency resource in Russian regions for IMT-MC-45 networks development: 2x3.75 MHz without guard bands and 2x4.3 MHz with guard bands.