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Whitepaper on

Spectrum
February 2013

Contents
Introduction 1
Executive summary 2
List of abbreviations 3
1. Background 5
1.1 Economic benefits of IMT 5
1.2 Importance of coordinating framework 5

2. The need for spectrum 6


2.1 Spectrum requirement 6
2.2 Service development prediction 7
2.3 Spectrum prediction and gap 9
2.3.1 Administrators 9
2.3.2 Operators 9

2.4 Conclusion11

3. Spectrum map 12
3.1 Existing spectrum12
3.2 Future outlook14
3.2.1 Analysis on additional frequency bands 14
3.2.2 Views on additional frequency bands 16
3.2.3 Detailed band-by-band analysis and position 16

4. Spectrum utilization & harmonization 24


4.1 Global spectrum for small cell 24
4.2 SDL (supplemental downlink) 25
4.3 LTE carrier aggregation 26
4.3.1 CA with same mode 26
4.3.2 CA with mixed mode 28
4.3.3 Conclusion for CA 29

4.4 LTE roaming30

5. TDD spectrum application 32


5.1 TDD spectrum 32

5.2 TDD synchronization 34

6. Annex 36
6.1 Coordinating framework 36

7. References 40

Introduction
Why Spectrum Matters
Society benefits from connecting devices over the air at radio frequency spectrum. The
mobile industry is increasing rapidly, and this is having a direct benefit on peoples lives
and on economic development. Spectrum is a scarce non-renewable resource that is
the basis of a mobile communication network. With the arrival of the mobile internet,
the requirement for spectrum is increasing exponentially. How to manage spectrum
responsibly, how to allocate spectrum efficiently and rationally and how to improve
spectrum utilization are critical questions for government, regulator, operators and
manufacturers.

About this Whitepaper


Governments need to raise broadband to the top of the development agenda, so that
rollout is accelerated and the benefits are brought to as many people as possible
----ITU Secretary General, Hamadoun Toure
This Whitepaper contains the considerations of Huawei on the spectrum for mobile
communication. Capacity demands on mobile wireless networks are increasing at an
explosive rate, which has led to the demand for spectrum increasing rapidly as well. A
prediction of the necessary spectrum in 2020 based on these requirements, as well as
the suggested spectrum for WRC-15, is provided in the first part of this paper.
In the following part, the existing operating bands being studied by 3GPP, and
spectrum for IMT that could possibly be allocated in the future, are summarized
and analyzed to give a full picture of the spectrum available, or that could be made
available, for the mobile wireless industry. Specific spectrum suggested for WRC15 includes parts of 470-694 MHz, 694-790 MHz, parts of L band, the band around
2GHz, parts of 3600-4200MHz and 4400-4990MHz.
Besides acquiring new spectrum for IMT, the efficient use of existing spectrum
is another way to promote the development of the wireless industry. Small cell
deployments and the allocation of appropriate high-frequency spectrum for hotspot
applications, supplementary downlink spectrum, carrier aggregation and LTE roaming
bands as methods to utilize spectrum better are analysed in Section 3.
The final subject we emphasize in the Whitepaper is TDD spectrum. Flexible utilization
of fragmented spectrum is one advantage of using TDD. Synchronization among
different operators is a key issue for TDD systems that is also analysed in the paper.
1

Executive Summary
Identify at least 500MHz (in the 400MHz 6GHz range) at WRC-15
Targeting global harmonization to the benefit of economies of scale
Targeting assignments of at least 100MHcontiguous bandwidth for IMT
Driven by the well recognized socio-economic value of the mobile broadband
application
Administrations need to take efforts in reducing the time that is currently
separating the ITU-R identification from the actual spectrum assignments at
national level
3.5GHz(3400-3600) as one of the important bands of global spectrum for
small cell enhancement

Spectrum efficiently utilized:


based on CA solution, and mixed TDD+FDD CA as one of future trends
Candidate bands combination for LTE FDD terminal roaming at least include
1800MHz, E850MHz, APT700MHz and US 700MHz
Inter-operators network synchronization based on over-the-air solution
proposed for TDD networks
Possible candidate band for IMT under WRC-15 Agenda Item 1.1

Low candidate
bands (<1GHz)

Spectrum

Incumbent
user

Parts of 500-600MHz
[470-around
694MHz]

TV
PMSE

WRC-15 regional identification for IMT usage


Need cooperation with Broadcasting industry

700MHz
[694-790MHz]

Description

TV
PMSE

WRC-15 Regional IMT identification: Region 1 (AI


1.2)

WRC-15 target

Mid-to-high
candidate
bands (3GHz6GHz)

Parts of 1.4 GHz


[1350-1525MHz]

D-Radio
Fixed Link
Scientific

2700-2900 MHz

Radar

WRC-15 global identification for IMT usage

3.4-3.6 GHz

Low-to-mid
candidate
bands (1GHz3GHz)

WRC-15 global identification for IMT usage


Scientific use, only in a part of frequencies and
some parts of regions

IMT (In some


countries)
Sat.

WRC-15 global identification for IMT usage

3.6-3.8 GHz

IMT
Sat.

WRC-15 global identification for IMT usage

Parts of 3.8-4.2GHz

Sat.

WRC-15 global identification for IMT usage

Parts of 4.4-4.99 GHz

Sat.

WRC-15 global identification for IMT usage

List of abbreviations
Abbreviations

Full spelling

3GPP
APT

Asia Pacific Telecommunity

ARNS

Aeronautical Radio Navigation Service

ASMG

Arab Spectrum Management Group

ATU

African Telecommunications Union

BSS

Base Station Subsystem

BWA

Broadband Wireless Access

CA

Carrier Aggregation

CEPT

European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications


Administrations

CITEL

Inter-American Telecommunications Commission

CJK

China Japan Korea

CR

Cognitive Radio

D2D

Device-to-Device

DAB

Digital Audio Broadcasting

DAS

Distributed Antenna System

DCS

Digital Cellular System

eMBMS

enhanced Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service

EVM

Error Vector Magnitude

FCC

Federal Communications Commission

FDD

Frequency Division Duplexing

FSS

Fixed Satellite Service

GPS

Global Positioning System

GSM

Global System for Mobile communications

IMT

International Mobile Telecommunications

ITU

International Telecommunication Union

ITU-R

International Telecommunication Union


Radiocommunication Sector

LTE

Long Term Evolution

LTE-Hi

LTE Hotspot & Indoor Enhancement

M2M

3rd Generation Partnership Project

Machine-to-Machine

Abbreviations

Full spelling

MCS

Mobile Communication Service

MFCN

Mobile/Fixed Communications Networks

MIIT

Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of


China

MSS

Mobile-Satellite Service

PCS

Personal Communications Service

PMSE

Programme Making and Special Events

RCC

Regional Commonwealth in the field of Communications

RSGB

Radio Society of Great Britain

SDL

Supplemental DownLink

TDD

Time Division Duplexing

UMTS

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

WCS

Wireless Communications Service

WLAN

Wireless Local Area Networks

WRC

World Radiocommunication Conference

WP5D

Working Party 5D

1 Background
1.1 Economic benefits of IMT1
Mobile broadband systems, especially IMT, contribute to global economic and
social development by providing a wide range of multimedia applications, such as
mobile telemedicine, teleworking, distance learning and other applications. IMT is
the root name, encompassing both IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced. IMT systems are
intended to provide telecommunication services on a worldwide scale, regardless
of location, network or terminal used. IMT systems have been the main method
of delivering wide area mobile broadband applications. In all countries where IMT
systems are deployed there is a continuing significant growth in the number of
users of IMT systems and in the quantity and rate of data carried, the latter being
driven to a large extent by audiovisual content.
This economic success is built on IMT-2000, but future economic welfare will
depend upon the growth of new technologies, such as IMT-Advanced and so on.
Any regulatory changes or uncertainty that jeopardizes those needs should be
considered very carefully. As the European Commission Communication on radio
spectrum policy2 notes, The EUs timely provision of harmonized frequencies
triggered the development of new pan-European digital cellular system (GSM).

1.2 Importance of coordinating framework


Adequate and timely availability of spectrum and supporting regulatory provisions
is essential to support future growth of IMT systems. Many countries have not yet
made available spectrum already identified in the Radio Regulations for IMT, for
various reasons, including the use of this spectrum by other systems and services.
The coordinating framework of the international use of the radio spectrum
showed in Annex of this whitepaper is functioning effectively to ensure the
rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum
in each country of the world. For example, frequency-related matters for IMT in
certain frequency bands below 6 GHz were studied in preparation for WRC-07,
and WRC-07 decided upon technical conditions and regulatory procedures in
some of these bands.

From "Optimising spectrum for future mobile service needs"(GSMA, 2006) and "Studies on frequency-related matters on International Mobile Telecommunications and other terrestrial mobile
broadband applications" (RESOLUTION 233-WRC-12, 2012)
Brussels, 6.2005 COM(2005) 411 final

There is a fairly long lead time between the identification of frequency bands by
world radiocommunication conferences and the deployment of systems in those
bands, and timely availability of spectrum is therefore important to support the
development of IMT systems. The coordinating framework will continue to assure
the timely availability of spectrum for IMT in the world.

2 The need for spectrum


2.1 Spectrum requirement
It takes a number of years for spectrum to be allocated and identified at ITU level
and then assigned at national level until it is finally deployed in the network, so
we have to start planning the spectrum for IMT in the year 2020 now. Following
the practice laid down at WRC-07, spectrum requirement estimation should be
done as first step to provide the motivation for the IMT industry to argue for
more spectrum allocation to mobile services and more spectrum identification to
IMT services in particular. Figure 1 shows the comparison between the estimated
required, ITU identified and regionally available spectrum.
Estimated spectrum
requirement by year in MHz

1720

Current available spectrum by region in MHz

Global identified IMT


spectrum in MHz
1172

1300
840

630

590
478

360

TE

L(L

A)

A)
L(N
TE
CI

PT
CE

AT
U

G
M
AS

T
AP

ide

nt
ifie
d

10
20

15
20

20

20

370

CI

510

Figure 1 Comparison of the amount of the estimated required, global identified and regional
available spectrum (source: ITU-R M.2078 & UMTS Jan. 2012)

Because of difficulties experienced by each nation in allocating spectrum, only


around half of the already identified spectrum is available. As user demand
outpaces advances in technology and deployment, the operators will have to
control the traffic increase by their pricing plans.
During the preparation for WRC-15, spectrum requirement estimation is ongoing
in ITU Working Party 5D3. The estimated requirement is in total around 1800MHz4
(using the higher requirements setting). Compared with the 1172MHz already
identified, it is clear that more than 500MHz of additional spectrum is needed.

2.2 Service development prediction


With the fast advance of the mobile Internet, mobile data traffic has dramatically
increased. According to the mobile global data traffic estimates summarize in ITU
M.24435, overall mobile data traffic averagely grow 8 times in 2015 over 2011.
Visioning the future year 2020, the traffic is 500-1000 times todays traffic, driven
by the demand for mobile broadband for anything, anytime from anywhere.
Figure 2 from the CJK WhitePaper6 summarized the major driving forces for the
traffic explosion.

Smartphones, tables,
laptops and netbooks
Improved user experience:
user friendly interfaces,
lager screen size and
longer battery life

New mobile app. supporting


social live and production;
Online stores of mobile-Apps

Increased demand for


mobile video services

Mobile
video

New type
of device

Flat rate
User
experience

Price
decrease

Dramatic growth
of mobile data
traffic

New mobile
app

Connection
to Internet

Mobile: the main / sole


way to visit Internet for
many people

Convergence
Convergence of mobile communication
and other industries

Figure 2 Drivers of mobile date traffic increase

http://www.itu.int/ITU-R/index.asp?category=study-groups&rlink=rwp5d&lang=en

Draft Liaison statement to Joint Task Group 4 5-6-7 - Initial information on spectrum requirements studies for WRC-15 Agenda item 1.1, http://www.itu.int/md/R12-JTG4567-C-0047/en

ITU-R M.2243(00/2011), http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/rep/R-REP-M.2243-2011-PDF-E.pdf

CJK WhitePaper on Forecast of mobile broadband development in the Asia-Pacific Region, http://www.tta.or.kr/English/new/external_relations/meetingDocumentView.
jsp?boardIdx=IMT&num=109

The explosively increasing mobile traffic is not distributed evenly over the whole
network and more than 80% of the traffic comes from hotspots or indoor areas,
based on the analysis from Informa Telecoms & Media7. It is also forecasted that
mobile video will be the dominant service in the near future and it is shown that
about 70% of mobile services will be video in 2016 based on the prediction of
mobile traffic share from Cisco8.
To meet the explosive traffic demands and higher performance expectation, the
heterogeneous network or HetNet is becoming the network topology of the
future, as shown in Figure 3. The service of the small cells is compatible with a
good fixed network (fiber ). If the data speed of the fixed network is too slow,
or if there is not fixed network, the traffic will be captured by large cells. Public
fixed networks provide, more and more, the TV services (Broadcast TV, TV on
demand). The future evolutions of the mobile network will be probably similar,
and, the impact of this evolution will be to create the traffic asymmetry (more
downlink traffic than the uplink traffic).

Figure 3 Heterogeneous Network

One way to map the spectrum frequency to the deployment scenario is as below:
111 Wideband for the capacity. It is easier to find wideband in high spectrum
(above 1GHz or 3GHz).
222 The propagation and the coverage is better at low frequency (below 3GHz
and especially below 1GHz)
333 Below 400MHz, there are some technical difficulties to design the mobile
terminal
As mobile traffic increases and mobile connection speeds increase for anything,
anytime from anywhere, more spectrum in the low and low-to-mid bands is
needed to provide the coverage and capacity. The mid-to-high band is much more
important than ever before, to provide high performance, and also to provide
capacity boosting for the urban environment, especially hotspot and indoor areas.

Mobile broadband access at home: Informa Telecoms & Media

Cisco, Cisco Visual Networking Index: Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update, 2011-2016, http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/collateral/ns341/ns525/ns537/ns705/ns827/white_
paper_c11-520862.html

2.3 Spectrum prediction and gap


2.3.1 Administrators
All administrators are facing the prospect of a spectrum shortage, some examples
are shown in Table 1.
Table 1 Spectrum requirements forecast by administrators.

Administrator

Information
Source

Europe

USA

Baseline
bandwidth for
IMT

EuropeanUnion
Radio Spectrum
Policy Programme
(RSPP)

FCC National
Broadband Plan

Traffic increase
forecast

Additional
Spectrum
Requirement

Y2015:1200MHz

Canada

Global Mobile
Broadband
Forum 2012

Australia

ACMA paper
Towards 2020
Future spectrum
requirements
for mobile
broadband

30 times increase
in traffic from 2007
to 2014

Japan

AWG workshop
for future IMT
(AWG-13/INP136)

Growth rate of
traffic is increasing
to more than 100%
per year.

China

ITU-R WP5D#15
(document
5D/256)

Around 600times
increase in traffic
from 2010 to 2020

Y2009 allocated:
547MHz

Y2014: 300MHz for


mobile broadband
Y2020: 500MHz for
mobile and fixed
broadband

Y2014 allocated:
553MHz

35 times increase
in traffic from 2009
to 2014

Y2015:300500MHz
Y2022:400600MHz

Y2012 allocated
and planned:
840MHz

Y2015: 150MHz
Y2020: 300MHz

Y2012 allocated:
500MHz

690MHz

Y2015: over
300MHz
Year 2020: total
over 1000MHz
Y2020:8001100MHz

As we can see, the amount of global identified spectrum is twice the amount
of regionally available spectrum, because each nation has its own limitations
on spectrum arrangements and the difficulty of establishing global harmonized
spectrum.

2.3.2 Operators
From the business perspective, there is never sufficient spectrum, and operators
will have to ease the traffic increase by pricing. In the case of AT&T, iPhone users
were to be provided unlimited traffic contracts, but the traffic explosion quickly
congested the network and AT&T had to gradually move unlimited data plans to
9

tiered mobile data packages to ease the traffic increase and to keep the network
balanced. In this sense, we could say that even facing todays traffic explosion,
the spectrum is not enough, let alone for the year 2020.
AT&T, for example, has stated9 that growth rate and data demand outpaces
the capabilities of these advanced radio interface technologies and network
topographies. Future new spectrum allocation to IMT is required as user demand
outpaces the technology and deployment advances. What AT&T has faced is not
unique among operators in the United States or elsewhere in the world.
The licensed spectrums the Japans operators hold are shown in Table 2.
Considering the low band and low-to-mid band, it seems the main operators hold
sufficient amount of resource, although the amount of efficient spectrum held
is far less than the total amount held by operators as shown in Table3. Japans
3.5G work is ongoing, which is supposed to provide large capacity and high
performance. Wi-Fi has been used for offloading traffic to alleviate the operators
pressure on network capacity; while IMT small cell technology in higher band is
targeted to carry and control the traffic on licensed spectrum when the spectrum
becomes available, which DOCOMO is also actively research and promoting.
Table 2 Spectrum held by licensed spectrum operators in Japan10
700MHz
bands

800MHz
bands

900MHz
bands

1.5GHz
bands

1.7GHz
bands

2GHz
bands

2.5GHz
bands

ToTal

DoCoMo

20MHz

30MHz

30MHz
[Partially
limited]

40MHz
[Only in some
areas]

40MHz

160MHz

AU

20MHz

30MHz

20MHz

40MHz

110MHz

Softbank

30MHz

20MHz

40MHz

90MHz

E-Access

20MHz

30MHz

50MHz

UQ

30MHz

30MHz

Wireless
City
Planning

30MHz

30MHz

31.2MHz
[Partially
share with
codeless
phone]

31.2MHz

WILLCOM

Addressing spectrum efficiency, information on current and planned use, and technical and operational characteristics in frequency bands for IMT under WRC-15 Agenda item 1.1, AT&T,
http://www.itu.int/md/R12-WP5D-C-0179/en

10

Frequency Management Policy on Mobile Communications in Japan, Japan, http://www.apt.int/sites/default/files/2012/09/AWG-13-INP-136_Japan_MIC_presentation_in_AWG_Workshop.pdf

10

Table 3 bands from global harmonization perspective held by Japanese operators


700M

800M

900M

1.5G

1.7G

2GHz

2.5GHz

Total

DoCoMo

20MHz

40MHz

60MHz

AU

20MHz

40MHz

60MHz

40MHz

70MHz

Softbank
E-Access

30MHz
20MHz

UQ

20MHz
30MHz

2.4 Conclusion
As is being discussed in ITU-R WP5D, more than 500MHz of additional spectrum
is needed for the year 2020, distributed in three band ranges low band (<1GHz),
mid-to-high band (1-3GHz) and high band (3-6GHz), to support the explosive
traffic increase and higher performance expectation.

11

30MHz

3 Spectrum map
3.1 Existing spectrum
The map below shows a summary of the worldwide frequency allocation in the
bands from 300MHz to 30GHz.

Figure 4 Summary frequency allocation from 300MHz to 30GHz

The following map shows the main IMT bands allocated in each ITU region.

IMT Spectrum Map


Region 1

Region 2

FDD

FDD

Band 1 (2100M)
Band 3 (1800M)
Band 7 (2.6G)
Band 8 (900M)
Band 20 (DD800)
Band 22 (3.5G)

Band 2 (1900M)
Band 4 (AWS)
Band 5 (850M)
Band 10
Band 12 (700M L)
Band 13 (700M U)
Band 14 (700M)
Band 17 (700M)
Band 23 (MSS)
Band 24 (L-band)
Band 25 (E1900)
Band 26 (E850 U)
Band 27 (E850 L)
Band 28 (APT700)
Band 29 (DL 700)

TDD
Band 33
Band 38 (2.6G)
Band 42 (3.5G)
Band 43 (3.6G)

Region 3

Region 3(Japan Specific)

FDD

TDD

FDD

Band 1 (2100M)
Band 3 (1800M)
Band 5 (850M)
Band 8 (900M)
Band 28 (APT700)

Band 34/a
Band 39/f
Band 40 (3.5G)
Band 28 (3.6G)
Band 44 (APT700)

Band 1 (2100M)
Band 6 (850M)
Band 9 (1800M)
Band 11

Band 18 (850M)
Band 19 (850M)
Band 21 (1.5G)

TDD
Band 41 (2.6G)

Figure 5 IMT global spectrum distribution (existing situation)


12

3GPP already defined the band number for different regional allocation.
Table 4 Existing spectrum for IMT in 3GPP
MSR/E
UTRA Band
number

UTRA Band
number

Uplink (UL) BS receive UE


transmit

GSM/
EDGE Band
designation

FUL_low

1920 MHz

II

PCS 1900

1850 MHz

III

DCS 1800

1710 MHz

IV

1710 MHz

GSM 850

6(1)

VI

Downlink (DL) BS transmit UE


receive

FUL_high

FDL_low

FDL_high

Dup
Mode

1980 MHz

2110 MHz

2170 MHz

FDD

1910 MHz

1930 MHz

1990 MHz

FDD

1785 MHz

1805 MHz

1880 MHz

FDD

1755 MHz

2110 MHz

2155 MHz

FDD

824 MHz

849 MHz

869 MHz

894MHz

FDD

830 MHz

840 MHz

875 MHz

885 MHz

FDD

2500 MHz

2570 MHz

2620 MHz

2690 MHz

FDD

VIII

E-GSM

880 MHz

915 MHz

925 MHz

960 MHz

FDD

IX

1749.9 MHz

1784.9 MHz

1844.9 MHz

1879.9 MHz

FDD

10

1710 MHz

1770 MHz

2110 MHz

2170 MHz

FDD

11

XI

1427.9 MHz

1447.9 MHz

1475.9 MHz

1495.9 MHz

FDD

12

XII

699 MHz

716 MHz

729 MHz

746 MHz

FDD

13

XIII

777 MHz

787 MHz

746 MHz

756 MHz

FDD

14

XIV

788 MHz

798 MHz

758 MHz

768 MHz

FDD

15

XV

Reserved

Reserved

16

XVI

Reserved

Reserved

17

704 MHz

716 MHz

734 MHz

746 MHz

FDD

18

815 MHz

830 MHz

860 MHz

875 MHz

FDD

19

XIX

830 MHz

845 MHz

875 MHz

890 MHz

FDD

20

XX

832 MHz

862 MHz

791 MHz

821 MHz

FDD

21

XXI

1447.9 MHz

1462.9 MHz

1495.9 MHz

1510.9 MHz

FDD

22

XXII

3410 MHz

3490 MHz

3510 MHz

3590 MHz

FDD

23

2000 MHz

2020 MHz

2180 MHz

2200 MHz

FDD

24

1626.5 MHz

1660.5 MHz

1525 MHz

1559 MHz

FDD

25

XXV

1850 MHz

1915 MHz

1930 MHz

1995 MHz

FDD

26

XXVI

814 MHz

849 MHz

859 MHz

894 MHz

FDD

27

807 MHz

824 MHz

852 MHz

869 MHz

FDD

28

703 MHz

748 MHz

758 MHz

803 MHz

FDD

29

717 MHz

728 MHz

FDD

33

a)

1900 MHz

1920 MHz

1900 MHz

1920 MHz

TDD

34

a)

2010 MHz

2025 MHz

2010 MHz

2025 MHz

TDD

35

b)

1850 MHz

1910 MHz

1850 MHz

1910 MHz

TDD

36

b)

1930 MHz

1990 MHz

1930 MHz

1990 MHz

TDD

37

c)

1910 MHz

1930 MHz

1910 MHz

1930 MHz

TDD

38

d)

2570 MHz

2620 MHz

2570 MHz

2620 MHz

TDD

39

f)

1880 MHz

1920 MHz

1880 MHz

1920 MHz

TDD

40

e)

2300 MHz

2400 MHz

2300 MHz

2400 MHz

TDD

41

2496 MHz

2690 MHz

2496 MHz

2690 MHz

TDD

42

3400 MHz

3600 MHz

3400 MHz

3600 MHz

TDD

43

3600 MHz

3800 MHz

3600 MHz

3800 MHz

TDD

44

13

VII

703 MHz

803 MHz

703 MHz

803 MHz

TDD

3.2 Future outlook


The International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R)
is responsible for coordinating the international use of the radio spectrum and
holds World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC) every three to four years
to review and revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the
use of radio-frequency spectrum, geostationary-satellite and non-geostationarysatellite orbits. The activities related to spectrum for IMT at WRC are as follows.

1990

2000

2010

2020

WARC-92(1992)
WRC-2000(2000)

Identified spectrum for


IMT-2000

WRC-07(2007)

Identified additional
spectrum for IMT-2000

WRC-15(2015)

Identified spectrum for


IMT (including IMT-2000
and IMT-Advanced)

To consider the need and


identification for additional
spectrum for IMT

Figure 6 activities related to spectrum for IMT at WRC

The agenda items of WRC-15 dealing with spectrum matters for IMT are:

WRC-15
AI 1.1

to consider additional spectrum allocations to the mobile service on a primary


basis and identification of additional frequency bands for International Mobile
Telecommunications (IMT) and related regulatory provisions, to facilitate the
development of terrestrial mobile broadband applications, in accordance with
Resolution 233 (WRC12);

WRC-15
AI 1.2

to examine the results of ITUR studies, in accordance with Resolution 232


(WRC12), on the use of the frequency band 694-790MHz by the mobile, except
aeronautical mobile service in Region1 and take the appropriate measures;

Figure 7 Agenda items of WRC-15 dealing with spectrum matters for IMT

3.2.1 Analysis on additional frequency bands


Taking into account specific characteristics of different bands and the logical
mapping from the three types of frequency band mentioned above to suitable
frequency ranges of IMT, there are some specific requirements and considerations
on the different frequency ranges and possible bandwidths, when additional
frequency bands for IMT are under discussion, which will happen under Agenda
Items 1.1 and 1.2 of WRC-15.
14

Firstly, where cost considerations require the installation of fewer base stations,
not only in rural and/or sparsely populated areas but also in urban and/or
suburban areas, bands with good coverage to facilitate such deployment are
generally suitable for implementing mobile systems, including IMT. Especially
in many developing countries and countries with large areas of low population
density, there is a need for cost-effective implementation of IMT. In fact, lower
frequency bands(< 1 GHz) are most suitable for providing coverage with low cost
based on the propagation characteristics.
Firstly bis, to grow the current IMT frequency bands.
Secondly, Report ITU-R M.2074 identifies the preferred frequency ranges for
the future development of IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced, including both the
new mobile access and new nomadic/local area wireless access as they are
presented in Recommendation ITU-R M.1645. It suggests that new spectrum that
can fulfill the full range of requirements of the ITU for IMT-Advanced, should be
found below 6 GHz for a number of technical reasons, such as allowing sufficient
mobility, an acceptable trade-off between cost and full area coverage, availability
of the required RF hardware components and mobile terminal complexity and
power consumption. Concretely, the frequency bands from 1GHz to 6GHz,
including Low-to-mid bands (1-3GHz) and Mid-to-high bands (3-6GHz), are most
suitable to provide capacity and performance.
Thirdly, further studies are needed to resolve the availability issues for IMT in
high bands (>6GHz) because of the different characteristics of spectrum above
and below 6GHz. These studies should focus on technical, propagation and
implementation aspects of high bands (>6GHz) for IMT. Therefore, it would be
better that the frequency bands above 6GHz are considered at WRC-19 rather
than WRC-15).
Fourthly, as higher and higher bitrates will be demanded for the future
development of IMT systems, larger channel bandwidths (continuous or
composite by carrier aggregation) will be needed. Report ITU-R M.2074 includes
detailed analysis of some of the technical issues surrounding the spectrum
range preferences for the future development of IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced.
The Report states that a new radio access system, covering the full range of
capabilities of IMT-Advanced is envisaged to support a wide range of data rates
according to economic and service demands in multi-user environments. There
will be target peak data rates of up to approximately 100 Mbit/s for high mobility
and up to approximately 1 Gbit/s for low mobility. It may be possible to reach
considerably higher overall spectrum efficiency than today's technologies, but
even under the most optimistic assumptions discussed today and in favorable
radio reception conditions, the 1 Gbit/s transmission rate may require bandwidth
in the order of 100 MHz or more.

15

3.2.2 Views on additional frequency bands


We support the identification of additional frequency bands for IMT to facilitate
the development of terrestrial mobile broadband applications at WRC-15. At
WRC-15, we support making at least 500 MHz of spectrum newly available for
IMT by 2020, with up to 1GHz being provided if possible.
Based on the above analysis, it is our view that it is not only the amount of
spectrum that is important but also the aspects affecting frequency range
preferences. These are primarily based on the requirements and target
characteristics for the envisioned system of IMT These will have to be considered
for frequency ranges to study in relation to WRC-15 Agenda items 1.1 and 1.2.
With respect to the preferred frequency ranges for the future development of
IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced, we propose that the new spectrum for IMT should
be identified mainly below 6 GHz at WRC-15 due to technical reasons identified
in Report ITU-R M.2074.
Low bands (< 1GHz) mainly used for macro network to provide coverage
Low-to-mid bands (1-3GHz) mainly used for macro and micro network to
provide coverage/capacity
Mid-to-high bands (3-6GHz) mainly use for micro/pico/hotspots network and
Wireless Sensor Networks to provide high capacity and performance.

Meanwhile we think that high bands (>6GHz) should be considered at the


next WRC(WRC-19), rather the upcoming WRC-15, because of larger different
frequency characteristics.
Larger bandwidths for the future development of IMT will be needed, such as
100 MHz or more (preferred continuous bands).

3.2.3 Detailed band-by-band analysis and


position
For WRC-07, a set of candidate bands for IMT were proposed, with the support
of Administrations and those proposals should be taken into account as IMT
candidate in WRC-15. Candidate frequency ranges available for identifying
spectrum for the terrestrial component of future development of IMT-2000 and
IMT-Advanced in the Report ITU-R M.2024 and M.2079 include 410-430 MHz,
470-790 MHz, 2 700-2 900 MHz, 3 600-4 200 MHz, 4 400-4 990 MHz.
Furthermore we support to consider, TV UHF band (470-694MHz), L band (a part
of 1300-1900 MHz), C Band(3.4-3.8-4.2GHz) as possible candidate bands for IMT
under WRC-15 AI1.1 based on our studies.
16

Finally our band-by-band analysis and position of some possible candidate bands
for IMT are as follows.

Table 5 Possible candidate band for IMT under WRC-15 Agenda Item 1.1

Low candidate
bands (<1GHz)

Spectrum

Incumbent
user

Parts of 500-600MHz
[470-around
694MHz]

TV
PMSE

WRC-15 regional identification for IMT usage


Need cooperation with Broadcasting industry

700MHz
[694-790MHz]

Description

TV
PMSE

WRC-15 Regional IMT identification: Region 1 (AI


1.2)

WRC-15 target

D-Radio
Fixed Link
Scientific

2700-2900 MHz

Radar

WRC-15 global identification for IMT usage

IMT (In some


countries)
Sat.

WRC-15 global identification for IMT usage

3.6-3.8 GHz

IMT
Sat.

WRC-15 global identification for IMT usage

Parts of 3.8-4.2GHz

Sat.

WRC-15 global identification for IMT usage

Parts of 4.4-4.99 GHz

Mid-to-high
candidate
bands (3GHz6GHz)

Parts of 1.4 GHz


[1350-1525MHz]

3.4-3.6 GHz

Low-to-mid
candidate
bands (1GHz3GHz)

WRC-15 global identification for IMT usage


Scientific use, only in a part of frequencies and
some parts of regions

Sat.

WRC-15 global identification for IMT usage

[1] 470-694 MHz


WHY THE BAND
This band 470-694/698MHz provides great propagation characteristics for
coverage and indoor penetration. This band is also adjacent to the bands on
which IMT systems are deployed i.e. 450-470MHz and 698/694-960MHz, which
reuse of the existing RF components is possible. For the time being, the band
is widely usually used for broadcasting service, but parts of this band are also
considered for mobile broadband under national broadband plans globally.
Along with the progress of broadcasting analogue-to-digital switch over, and the
finalization of band clearing of 700MHz and 800MHz, this band 470-694/698 is
to be considered as potential candidate bands for IMT, which is now discussed
in ITU-R. Part of this band is now discussed in the United States in the content of
incentive auction.

SPECTRUM DEVELOPMENT PATH


Given its contiguity with the existing IMT bands, i.e. 450-470MHz and 698/694960MHz, the frequency arrangement and development path should closely
17

follow the decisions that have been previously taken in such bands, where
exclusive individual usage rights are being assigned. Global harmonization should
be addressed from the very beginning. Synergies with the adjacent bands shall
be exploited: base station and user device RF components (e.g. amplifiers and
antennas may be reused to a large extent). .

CONCLUSIONS
Its proposed to identify 470-694/698MHz or part of this band for IMT at WRC-15
to provide cellular coverage network.

[2] 694-790 MHz


WHY THE BAND
Band 694-790MHz is also of high value due to its excellent propagation
characteristics. The band is currently widely used for broadcasting service and
also ARNS (Aeronautical Radio Navigation Systems). The advent of the digital TV
technology and consequent switch off of the less spectrally efficient analog TV
technology has led to a Digital Dividend which is allowing to make the band
available for IMT applications.

SPECTRUM DEVELOPMENT PATH


In Region 1, the band 700MHz is decided to allocate by WRC-15. Now some
preparation works are planned to be done. The target is to allocate the frequency
band 694-790 MHz in Region 1 to the mobile for IMT; then the allocation is
effective immediately after WRC 15.
In Region 2, the band is identified for IMT, spectrum has been assigned as FDD as
shown in the diagram below.
MHz 690

700

710

A4

720

MS Tx
698

730

un-paired
716

728

740

750

BS Tx

760

770

780

790

BS Tx
746

800

810

MS Tx
763

776

793
M.1036-03-A4

Figure 8 P694-790 MHz frequency arrangement of Region 2

11

11

From ITU-R M.1036-4

18

In region 3, at the meeting of the APT Wireless Forum (AWF-9) at Sep.,2010,


agreement was reached on two harmonized frequency arrangements for IMT in
698-806MHz frequency band. It was decided that spectrum should be allocated
as follows:
For FDD:
a lower guard-band of 5 MHz should be allocated between 698-703 MHz;
an upper guard-band of 3 MHz should be allocated between 803-806 MHz.
For TDD:
Whole Bands from 698MHz to 806MHz for TDD
The band plan is not compatible with FDD band Plan. Actually, South America is
gradually following the APT band plan (FDD).

10 MHz centre gap

5 MHz

45 MHz

DTTV

DTTV

3 MHz

45 MHz

694 6 9 8
MHz MHz

PPDR/LMR

806
MHz

Figure 9 694-790 MHz frequency arrangement of Region 3 12

CONCLUSIONS
Band 700MHz brings a significant amount of high quality spectrum for mobile
broadband. Commercial networks have already been launched in US, in Region
3 the band had been identified as IMT utilization, in Region 1 the issue will be
decided at WRC-15.
We propose the harmonization or compatibility usage of the band between
Region 1 and Region 3 for economies of scale and effective utilization of the
band.

12

19

From ITU-R M.1036-4

PPDR/LMR

[3] L-band (1350-1525 MHz)


WHY THE BAND
The L-band13 may provide good coverage and may complement below 1 GHz
bands which may not be sufficient to address the wider capacity needs. Currently
allocated by the ITU Radio Regulations (WRC-12 revision) on a primary and/
or secondary basis to the Mobile Service, Fixed Service, Broadcasting Satellite
Service, the band has clear potential for Global/Regional harmonization, with
specific reference to the 1427-1525 MHz and/or 1525-1660MHz ranges (excluding
the 1400-1427MHz portion).

SPECTRUM DEVELOPMENT PATH


1427.9-1462.9/1475.9-1510.9 MHz bands in Japan have been allocated to LTE in
2011, and the total bandwidth is limited at 2*15MHz or 2*20MHz or 2*34MHz;
the harmonization work at European level is ongoing for the Mobile/Fixed
Communication Networks (MFCN) supplemental downlink in the 1452-1492 MHz
range. Future IMT identification should include the ranges from 1350-1400, 14271525 MHz and possibly from 1525 to 1660 MHz as defined in 3GPP.

1420 1430

Stage 1

RA

RA

RA

1460

1470

1450

3G

1440

3G

1450

MCA

1460

1470

MCA

1440

1480

1490

MCA

1460

1470
MCA

MCA

Softbank

1480

1490

1500 1510
MCA

3G

1480

1500 1510

1520

1530 [MHz]

Softbank

3G
MCA

Softbank

1420 1430

Stage 3

1450

Softbank

3G

1420 1430

Stage 2

1440

1490

1500 1510

3G

MCA

1520
MCA

1520
MCA

MSS

1530 [MHz]

MSS

1530 [MHz]

MSS

Figure 10 1427.9-1462.9/1475.9-1510.9 MHz bands in Japan14

13

L-Band terminology refers to the 1 to 2 GHz frequency range, as defined by the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB),

14

From Japanese MIC

20

Table 6 1427-1525 & 1525-1660 MHz defined in 3GPP15


E UTRA
Operating
Band
11

21

24

Uplink (UL) operating band


BS receive UE transmit
FUL_low
1427.9
MHz
1447.9
MHz
1626.5
MHz

FUL_high

1447.9 MHz

1462.9 MHz

1660.5 MHz

Downlink (DL) operating band


BS transmit UE receive
FDL_low
1475.9
MHz
1495.9
MHz
1525 MHz

Duplex
Mode

FDL_high

1495.9 MHz

FDD

1510.9 MHz

FDD

1559 MHz

FDD

Although the bands (1350-1525 MHz) are considered as key candidate band for
IMT, many efforts are necessary because the band is also the important band for
other services and supplications, including GPS and DAB applications. That will be
the high priority item in WRC-15.

CONCLUSIONS
We propose the global harmonized allocation for IMT in parts of this band
at WRC-15. The future use for IMT in this band will contribute to the need of
coverage and capacity for the future development of IMT.

[4] Bands around 2GHz(1980-2010 MHz paired with


2170-2200 MHz, 1900-1920/2090-2110 MHz and
2010-2025 /2200-2215 MHz
WHY THE BAND
The frequency bands 1980-2010 MHz and 2170-2200MHz have already been
allocated to IMT-2000 in WARC-92. The bands were assigned for Mobile-Satellite
Service (MSS) in EU, Korea, Japan and some other countries with little degree
of actual utilization. This band is adjacent to 3GPP Band 1/I. There are some
proposals to GSMA and ITU-R that combining the MSS Band, existing 3GPP Band
1/I, TDD Bands 33/34 and the bands 2090-2110 MHz / 2170-2200 MHz can
create a contiguous frequency band in some countries, which can help promote
the wider availability of mobile broadband. Furthermore they think that 20902110 and 2200-2215 MHz may be paired with existing IMT TDD bands (3GPP
TDD Band 33/34) to create new FDD bands in some countries. It may violate the
profits of TDD operators.

15

21

From 3GPP

At the same time, we have also taken note that TDD Bands 33/34 are still important
TDD band in some other countries who tend to leave the bands as they are.

Band 33

1900MHz

Band 1 UL

1920MHz

MSS

1980MHz

Band 34

2010 2025MHz

1900MHz

2025MHz

Band 1 DL

2090MHz 2110MHz

MSS

2170MHz

2090MHz

2200

2215MHz

2215MHz

Figure 11 A possible combination of bands around 2GHz

CONCLUSIONS
We propose the global harmonized allocation for IMT terrestrial components in
the band 1980-2010 MHz and 2170-2200MHz at WRC-15.
Furthermore there may be two separate side-by-side ways to deal with existing
IMT TDD bands (3GPP TDD Band 33/34) in the world.
The first way is that the allocation of the bands 1900-1920(3GPP TDD Band
33) and 2090-2110MHz, 2010-2025(3GPP TDD Band 34) and 2200-2215
MHz as paired bands for IMT create new FDD bands in one Region or some
countries for effective utilization of the band because the bands have been
allocated for IMT TDD in those counties, but never used for a long time.
The second one is still to keep TDD Bands 33/34 as it is now in some other
countries because the bands have been allocated and used for IMT TDD in
those counties.

[5] 3600-4200 MHz


WHY THE BAND
In International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R), World Radiocommunication
Conference in 2007 (WRC-07) have raised an issue by a number of countries (in
particular from Africa) regarding protection of FSS earth stations/VSATs which
led to a WRC-15 agenda item about 3400-4200MHz. The band 3400-3800MHz
decided for Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) is already widely available for
licensing in Europe and have earlier been allocated to the Fixed service on a
primary basis in Region 1. The band 3600-4200MHz is to be considered as a key
candidate band for IMT for WRC-15 identification.

22

SPECTRUM DEVELOPMENT PATH


In EU, CEPT administrations already designated the frequency bands 3400-3800
MHz on a non-exclusive basis to mobile/fixed communications networks (MFCN),
without prejudice to the protection and continued operation of other existing
users in this band, according to the TDD band plan arrangement.
The 600MHz in the 3600-4200 MHz range offer an important opportunity to
fulfill the increasing throughput requirement. Located in a higher frequency
range, while still below the 6GHz boundary, this range is especially suitable small
coverage allowing focused capacity with a higher degree of frequency reuse.
However the band is currently heavily used for the FSS service, in larger countries
especially where satellite communications offer a cost effective communication
mean. Thus, although the band is potentially global harmonized, it is difficult to
clear the band in order for IMT utilization in many countries in the next few years.

CONCLUSIONS
Its proposed to identify 3600-3800MHz for IMT to provide cellular network with
capacity to fulfill increasing traffic requirement, especially for small coverage with denser
cellular. Regarding the bands 3800-4200MHz, the spectrum sharing between IMT and
FSS should be advocated with low power IMT network (E.g. LTE-Hi).

[6] 4 400-4 990 MHz


WHY THE BAND
The band 4400-4990 MHz has propagation characteristics that are suitable for
use in dense urban areas where the deployment of mobile networks is typically
capacity limited. At the same time, the band can also provide large contiguous
bandwidths that can be used for microcell and picocell network to provide
increased capacity and performance.

SPECTRUM DEVELOPMENT PATH


The band 4400-4990 MHz could support mobile broadband applications with
minimal hardware modifications allowing for economies of scale to be met
in deployment of new systems and networks. Whats more, RF components,
antennas and amplifiers, as well as design solutions, already exist for certain
frequencies in 5-6 GHz and are already embedded in user equipment which could
be used for IMT implementation.
However they have an analogy with the situation on the band 3600-4200MHz.
The traditional utilizaion is FSS/ VSATs. The band is currently heavily used for the FSS
service, in larger countries especially where satellite communications offer a cost
23

effective communication mean. Thus, it is difficult to clear the band in order for IMT
utilization in many countries in the next few years.

CONCLUSIONS
Its proposed to identify 4400-4500MHz and 4800-4990MHz for IMT to provide
cellular network with capacity to fulfill increasing traffic requirement, especially
for small coverage with denser cellular. Regarding the bands 4500-4800MHz, the
spectrum sharing between IMT and FSS should be advocated with low power IMT
network (E.g. LTE-Hi: LTE Hotspot & Indoor Enhancement).

4 Spectrum utilization &


harmonization
Since WRC-92, there are many bands allocated to IMT. How to better use the
band is the point of the chapter.

4.1 Global spectrum for small cell


It is stated that herein high frequency means the band range from 3GHz to 6GHz.
Main usage models for high frequency are listed as following.
Small cell deployed,
Relay to connect with VIP customer.
Mobile Relay.
3.5GHz is one of the most important bands of global spectrum for small cell.

3.5GHz
With current traffic requirement trend, operators are increasingly looking at
solutions from three aspects including band expansion, denser network, airinterface efficiency. Thus, heterogeneous networks where the wide area coverage
layers are integrated with additional layers of small cells are necessary to provide
additional capacity, with wider spectrum bandwidth deployed and enhancing
spectrum efficiency. Huawei LTE-Hi (LTE Hotspot & Indoor Enhancement) solution
is being developed targeting three aspects:
24

To meet the capacity requirement in hotspot, to seek the wider spectrum for IMT
is needed. The 3400-3600 MHz band is ideal for providing such kind of focused
coverage with its large amount of contiguous spectrum available.
This band also helps in the interference management associated with denser
cellular because of its reduced coverage capability which helps. This band has
great potential to become a globally harmonized band with at least 50MHz
allocated.
3.5GHz is potential to become a global harmonized spectrum band. In the future,
if other services such as FSS quit from this band to the other band or can share
the frequency bands with IMT, it is potentially 800MHz spectrum band from 3.4
to 4.2GHz, and additionally 600MHz from 4.4 to 5GHz, for IMT. This is very good
for the future development of the wireless market and the interest of the global
industry chain.
3.5GHz has many band characteristics adapt to the dense small cells for
offloading traffic.
High bandwidth: to fulfill the requirement of increasing capacity
High propagation loss: more fit for small coverage
Reduced coverage capability: to help in interference management associated
with denser cellular
LTE-Hi is the promising small cell technology being developed in R12. Its
working frequency includes 3.5GHz.

4.2 SDL (SUPPLEMENTAL DOWNLINK)


Following is some content discussed in ITU-R WP 5D is excerpted as below16:
Some developments of IMT technologies
Among the developments are new technical and operational aspects of IMT
systems and arrangements, which may include other characterizations of the use
of spectrum, such as:
Asymmetric FDD uplink (traditionally in lower bands) and downlink blocks (with one
or more separate downlinks which could also be in different bands).
FDD or TDD uplink and downlink for very high peak data rates in confined and
densely populated indoor areas as well as in confined areas of moving vehicles.
FDD and TDD backhauling from, e.g. trains, buses and other vehicles or from
body area networks to the host IMT network
In-band or out-of-band backhauling of small cells.
For the unpaired spectrum used as SDL, it should be noted that the spectrum in
some regions can also be used for TDD under demands of regulatory bodies.

16

25

Revision 2 to Document 5D/TEMP/55-E, ITU-R WP5D meeting, 11 October 2012

The 716~728 MHz was initially planned to be used for mobile TV services in the
USA, later is proposed to be only used for DL for LTE, and defined as Band 29
with duplex mode with FDD in 3GPP.
700MHz Spectrum in US
698

704

710

716 722

728

734

740

746

758

763

776

788

C
Public
Safety

Digital and analog


Broadcasters

Downlink

793

806

D
Public
Safety

DL only spectrum

Uplink
Figure 12 700MHz frequency arrangement of USA

SDL concept was also discussed in CEPT in the context of the L-Band and in ITU.

4.3 LTE carrier aggregation


4.3.1 CA with same mode
CA (carrier aggregation) means coordination transmission and coordination
reception at two or more carriers in the same band or different bands. Signals at
these aggregated carriers are dealt with together at the same baseband unit.
CA is classified with intra-band CA and inter-band CA.

Intra-band CA
3GPP RAN4 studies intra-band carrier aggregation for following bands according
to operators actual requirement, including intra-band continuous CA and noncontinuous CA.
Intra-band continuous CA17
TDD band: Band 38 (2.6GHz), Band 41;
FDD band: Band 7 (2.6GHz), Band 1;
Intra-band non-continuous CA:
FDD band: Band 3, Band 4, Band 25.
CA impact on BS RF requirement is small, and main impact is on UE requirement.
For those continuous scenarios still being studied, the key focus is on UE back-off power.
Non-continuous CA may have big impact on UE, so we should keep an eye on it.

17

3GPP Band number see table 4 in section 3.1 of this WhitePaper.

26

Inter-band CA
The topic studies RF requirement at scenario of inter-band CA. The requirement
comes from operators owning the band. In Rel-11 the scenarios are independently
studied in different WI.

Inter-band CA WIs in 3GPP RAN418

Region

CA Class

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 3 and Band 7

EU

Class A3

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 4 and Band 13

USA

Class A1

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 4 and Band 17

USA

Class A2

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 2 and Band 17

USA

Class A1

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 4 and Band 12

USA

Class A2

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 4 and Band 5

USA

Class A1

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 5 and Band 12

USA

Class A3

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 5 and Band 17

USA

Class A3

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 7 and Band 20

EU

Class A1

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 1 and Band 7

China

Class A3

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 1 and Band 7

EU

Class A3

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 3 and Band 20

EU

Class A1

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 3 and Band 5

Korea

Class A1

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 4 and Band 7

USA

Class A3

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 8 and Band 20

EU

Class A4

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 1 and Band 18

Japan

Class A1

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 1 and Band 19

Japan

Class A1

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 1 and Band 21

Japan

Class A5

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 11 and Band 18

Japan

Class A5

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 3 and Band 5, 2UL

Korea

Class A1

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 3 and Band 8

Asia, EU

Class A2

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 2 and Band 4

USA

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 23 and Band 29

USA

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 3 and Band 28

Japan

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 1 and Band 8

Asia, EU

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 3 and Band 19

Japan

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 3 and Band 26

Korea

LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 38 and Band 39

China

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 2 and Band 12

USA

LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 39 and 41

China

LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation of Band 1 and Band 26

Korea

18

27

3GPP Band number see table 4 in section 3.1 of this WhitePaper.

All inter-band CA combinations only finish the scenario of one-carrier UL in Rel11. The work on two UL carriers simultaneously transmitting is postponed to Rel12. In Rel-12, 5 WIs on CA are created according to the type of CA combination.
The main discussion focusing on inter-band CA is filter insertion loss of terminal,
because insertion loss will influence power back-off and desensitization, thus
coverage about DL and UL will be influenced.

4.3.2 CA with mixed mode


Except for CA combination between bands with same mode (e.g. TDD vs. TDD,
FDD vs. FDD), hot trend is CA combination based on TDD band + FDD band.

There are two possible scenarios:


Inter-site FDD + TDD CA, i.e. Macro site with FDD, small cell with TDD
Co-site FDD + TDD CA
It is estimated that FDD+TDD CA is future trend and may be standardized.
In different regions, FDD bands and TDD/unpaired spectrum are different, thus
the possible combinations are different.

Region 1
Many FDD operators hold TDD spectrum of 1.8/1.9/2.0GHz,
In EU countries, 2.6GHz was already auctioned or is on the agenda of auction.
FDD bands: DD800, 1.8GHz, 2.6GHz FDD part;
TDD bands: 1.9/2.0GHz, 2.6GHz TDD part;
Future TDD bands: 3.7GHz, 3.5GHz (if TDD is chosen)

Possible combinations:
DD800 FDD + 1.9/2.0GHz TDD
1.8GHz FDD + 1.9/2.0GHz TDD
DD800 FDD + 2.6GHz TDD
1.8GHz FDD + 2.6GHz TDD
2.6GHz FDD + 2.6GHz TDD
FDD band + 3.7GHz/3.5GHz

28

Region 2
In US, TDD or unpaired spectrum for IMT is mainly located at 2.6GHz, future
possible 3.5GHz.
2.6GHz TDD spectrum is held by the TDD only operators who have no FDD
spectrum. So it is impossible to have FDD+TDD CA combination.
Future possible 3.5GHz band: whether to have FDD+TDD CA combination is
dependent on whether FDD operators will own the band.

Possible combination:
700MHz FDD + 3.5GHz

Region 3
There are different situations in each country.
In China, concept of FDD + TDD CA is difficult to be approved unless TDD
operator i.e. CMCC will be permitted to operate FDD LTE network. In Japan, it is
very highly possible to deploy FDD+TDD CA network.
FDD bands: currently 2.1GHz, 1.5GHz, 1.7GHz and 850MHz; future possible band
900MHz, 800MHz.
TDD bands: 2.6GHz and possible band 3.5GHz

Possible combinations:
FDD: 2.1GHz, 1.5GHz, 1.7GHz, 900MHz, 800MHz + TDD: 3.5GHz
FDD: 1.5GHz, 900MHz + TDD: 2.6GHz
In other countries, possible combination is 1.8GHz FDD + 2.6GHz TDD.

4.3.3 Conclusion for CA


There are over 30 work items on intra-band and inter-band CA in 3GPP RAN4
which shows strong interests of operators to better utilize their existing spectrum.
CA as a feature introduced in Rel-10 provides one feasible solution to meet this
spectrum utilization requirement.
It is also expected that mixed TDD + FDD inter-band CA is future trend.

29

4.4 LTE roaming


Compared to GSM and UMTS, the main issue for LTE spectrum is the fragmented
availability: many bands but none of them suitable for global roaming band.
Currently, FDD frequency bands for commercial or trial LTE networks include:
Europe: 800M (Band 20), 1800M (Band 3 GSM refarming), 2600M (Band7),
US & Canada: 700M (Band 13, Band 17), AWS (Band 4, Band10)
Japan: 850M (Band 18), 1500M (Band 21), 2100M (Band 1),
Korea: 850M (Band 5)
Latin America: 700M, AWS (Band 4, Band10), 1800M (Band 3 GSM
refarming), 2100M (Band 1), 2600M (Band 7)

TDD frequency bands for commercial or trial LTE networks include:


US: 2600M (Band 41)
China: 2300M (Band 40 Trial network for indoor application), 2600M (Band
38 Trial network), 1900M (Band 39 Trial network)
From the bands to be available for LTE application recently, we can group the
bands with the consideration on covered ITU regions.

The bands which can cover 3 ITU regions include:


FDD:
APT 700M (Asia, Europe (if compatibility with APT band plan is adopted),
Latin America), 3500MHz
TDD:
2300MHz, 2600MHz, 3500MHz
The bands which can cover 2 ITU regions include:
850MHz, 1800MHz
Note: The 850MHz spectrum here is a set of frequency bands rather than a single band.

Regarding the complicated bands situation for LTE, it is not possible to find a single
global roaming band. More reasonable way is to use several frequency bands which can
cover at least two ITU regions to comprise the roaming spectrum.

For FDD application, candidate bands for roaming band combination include:
800MHz, E850MHz, APT 700MHz, US 700MHz
1

For TDD application, candidate bands for roaming band combination include:
.3GHz, 2.6GHz, 3.5GHz
2
Note that except for the candidate bands, roaming via FDD is also a possible
30

700MHz Bands:
B12
716

698

B17
Region 2

704

728

716

746
734

746

B13
746

756

777

787

B14
758

Band 44
Region 3

CEPT

788

798

703

Band 28

Region 1

768

803

703

748

758

803

791

698

850MHz Bands:

Region 2

Lower E850
806

824

851

869

Upper E850
814

Band 5

849

894

859

Band 18

Region 3

815

Band 19

830

875

860
845

890

Source: 3GPP TR 37.806

2600MHz Bands:
2500 MHz

Region 1

Europe

2570

FDD Uplink Blocks

2495 MHz

Region 2

2690

2572

FDD Downlink Blocks

2614

2690

B
B
R A A A B B B C C C D D D J A B C D G F E K R E E E F F F H H H G G G
4 4 4 4 4 4 4
S 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
S 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
1
2

The US

16

Region 3

2620

TDD or FDD
Downlink(External)

Some AsiaPacific
countries

5.5*12

6*7

2500 MHz

4 6

5.5*12

2635

Mobile Communication Service

2660

BSS

2500 MHz

CHINA

Mobile Comm.
Service
2690 MHz

TDD

Figure 13 Global frequency arrangements of 700MHz, 850MHz and 2600MHz


31

2690

5 TDD spectrum application


5.1 TDD spectrum
Spectrum is the king for operators competency. Many mobile carriers put
increasing emphasis on TDD spectrum and its usage.
Currently core bands for TDD are 1.9GHz, 2.0GHz, 2.3GHz and 2.6GHz. There is
totally about 440MHz bandwidth spectrum. In future, new candidate bands e.g.
3.5GHz and 3.7GHz may bring additional 400MHz bandwidth spectrum for TDD.

Analysis
Different TDD band has different band characteristics adapted to the different
application and scenario.
Band 1.9GHz/2.0GHz: region 1 and region 3; small bandwidth
(15MHz~20MHz), low propagation loss and penetration loss
Band 2.3GHz: ongoing discussion in region 1, WCS (FDD application)
in region 2, IMT in region 3; large bandwidth (100MHz), relatively low
propagation loss and penetration loss
Band 2.6GHz: small bandwidth(50MHz) in EU large bandwidth (190MHz) in
US and China, relatively high propagation loss and penetration loss
Band 3.5GHz/3.7GHz: ongoing in different regions; very large bandwidth
(200MHz), high propagation loss and penetration loss
Thus, band 2.3GHz/2.6GHz can be used to increase capacity and 3.5GHz/3.7GHz
is more adaptable for small cell application to offload traffic. These spectrum
distribution among different regions are briefly summarized as below:
From the technology point, in band 1.9GHz/2.0GHz 3G TDD (TD-SCDMA) was
deployed only in China. In other bands LTE TDD is the only choice.
If there are several operators in same band, need a guard band (around 10MHz)
between each adjacent operator or to synchronize the TDD networks.

Dedicated band
1.9GHz/2.0GHz
In region 1, 1900-1920MHz (Band 33) and 2010-2025MHz (Band 34) are
currently allocated to UMTS networks but remain unused throughout the EU. The
32

European Commission has already issued a Mandate to CEPT to study suitable


alternative applications and develop appropriate technical conditions and sharing
arrangements.
Spectrum of 1880-1920MHz is allocated as Band 39 for LTE TDD in China.
However, 1900-1920MHz within this band is currently occupied by PHS in China.
Up to Oct. 2012, there are still over 13 million subscribers in the PHS network.
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China (MIIT) has confirmed
that the spectrum shall be cleaned up for deployment of LTE TDD and announced
in Sep. 2012 that the LTE TDD license will be issued in about one year. This band
will play an important role for LTE TDD development in China. In the first half year
of 2012, CMCC has finished network test of LTE TDD trial. 11 cities have set up
the trial network until the end of 2012 and a LTE FDD/TDD mixed commercial
network has been launched in Hongkong by CMCC.

2.3GHz
For 2.3GHz, non-mobile service is operated at the band in most countries and
only in small number of countries, mobile service is operated.
In EU, current usage is complex. LSA (licensed shared access) is hot issue in the
discussion in possible usage ways, but and maybe, could be static (without
consequence on the 3GPP standard). According to ECC WG FM questionnaire,
there are 12 countries which have no plan in addition to current non MBB use
and 5 countries that might support an EC/ECC harmonization.
In US, the band was assigned to WCS service in 1997. Now part of the band is
planned to be used as FDD systems.
In China, because of earlier military application, the band is only used in indoor
scenario before. MIIT in China formally announced that 2.3GHz can be used for
outdoor scenario after permission in Sep. 2012.

2.6GHz
Earlier allocation for this band is WiMAX. Many operators hold the spectrum more
than 20MHz. In recent years, the band already is allocated to LTE application in
Europe, US, China, etc. Although the band is intended for global harmonization,
actually there are two streams for allocation.
Option1: sandwich allocation, mainly in EU (Region1)
2500 MHz

2570
FDD UE Tx

2620
TDD

2690
FDD BS Tx

Figure 14 Sandwich frequency arrangement of 2600MHz


33

In case of coexistence between TDD BS and FDD BS with the same class, guard band
is necessary to avoid interference. Guard band is from 5MHz to 10MHz depending on
the scenarios.
Option2: all band for TDD, or there is no FDD allocation in the band, mainly in
US, China.
Currently, CMCC holds the band 2570-2520MHz for LTE-TDD trial network. It can be
estimated that existing status will be maintain in future and another operator may
also come in and hold some of the band. At least two operators may share this band
including CMCC and China telecommunications with high possibility.

Summary
With more and more spectrum available for TDD and the development of Hetnet,
complicated network with multiple operators and multiple layers becomes a trend.
It will bring co-existence problem especially for TDD because of the challenge for
synchronization between BSs. Synchronization becomes an imperative issue to be
solved for TDD.

5.2 TDD synchronization


When multiple operators deploy TDD system in the same band and in the same
geographic areas, severe interferences may happen if the networks are uncoordinated.
For example, if some base stations (BSs) are transmitting while others are receiving,
the transmitter may desensitize or block the neighbor receiver due to imperfect
emission on the transmitter side and adjacent channel selectivity on the receiver side.

Operator B uplink
Operator A downlink (UE
to UE interference)

Operator A downlink
Operator B uplink (BS to
BS interference)

Un-synchronization between operator A and B


Operator A
Operator B

D S U U D D S U U D
D S U U D D S U U D

Figure 15 Interferences between uncoordinated TDD systems in the same band and areas
34

There are several possible techniques for improving coexistence between TDD
networks like:
Synchronization
Sub-band filtering
Site coordination
Restricted blocks
The use of sub-band filtering and restricted blocks methods are obviously methods
which lead to spectrum wastage. Sub-band filtering method also increases
the number of base station types even within the same band and destroy the
economies of scale. Site coordination method will bring very complicate site plan
and site construction.
Therefore, a better way to avoid interferences is to synchronize neighbor BSs in
order to make them transmit and receive at the same time. Some supervisors also
make the synchronization between operators as mandatory rules to guarantee
the co-existence. It can be explained to two points as below:
Synchronizing the beginning of the frame
Configuring compatible frame structures
There are several methods for synchronization of the start of frame: GNSS
(like GPS), synchronization over backhaul network (like IEEE 1588 v2), and
synchronization through the radio-interface (like network listening). For outdoor
base stations like macro/micro cells, it is easy to get synchronization by GPS. But
with the development of heterogeneous network, more and more base stations
are planning to deployed indoor to improved the hotspot throughput. GPS and
IEEE 1588 are not always available or suitable for small cells. In this case, overthe-air synchronization approach can be used. This approach can be used for the
BSs not only within a single operator but also between different operators with
multiple layers sharing the same band. The following figure shows a feasible way
to implement synchronization across different operators.

Declaring
Channel

Introduce "Declaring
Channel" to make it
possible to save GB

BS A

BS B

Synchronization
Recalibration

Initial
Synchronization

Synchronization
Tracking

BS C

N Common Notification Channel

Figure 16 A feasible way to implement synchronization across different operators


35

The procedure includes:


Declaring Channel: Each operator broadcasts/monitor the spectrum usage
information.
Initial Synchronization: keep synchronization with the deployed BS (target BS)
Synchronization Tracking: keep synchronization periodically.
Synchronization recalibration.
3GPP will still further enhance the current synchronization mechanisms for the
scenario of multi-carriers and multi-layers in the later releases.

6 Annex
6.1 Coordinating framework
There are 3 levels for the coordinating framework of the international use of the
radio spectrum.
The first level: ITU-R for Global regulations (Coordinating the international use
of the radio spectrum in the world)
The second level: Regional Organizations for Regional regulations (Preparation
of common coordinated proposals in the region)
The third level: Administrations for national regulations (Governmental
department for the national frequency arrangement and management)

Administrations

ITU

Regional Org.

External Org.

Figure 17 Coordinating framework of the international use of the radio spectrum


36

111 ITU-R
The ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) specializes in facilitating international
collaboration to ensure the rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of
the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits, by:
Holding World and Regional Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC and
RRC) 1 to expand and adopt Radio Regulations (RR) and Regional Agreements
covering the use of the radio-frequency spectrum;
Establishing ITU-R Recommendations, developed by ITU-R Study Groups
(SG) in the framework set by Radiocommunication Assemblies (RA), on the
technical characteristics and operational procedures for radiocommunication
services and systems;
Coordinating endeavors to eliminate harmful interference between radio
stations of different countries;
Maintaining the Master International Frequency Register (MIFR), Based on
inputs from administrations;
Offering tools, information and seminars to assist national radio-frequency
spectrum management.
ITU-R is responsible for coordinating the international use of the radio spectrum.
The conferences and important outcome of ITU-R are as follows19.

Revisions to RR, Resolutions


& Recommendations

ITU Member
States (193)
Technical
bases

WRC
CPM

SGs & SC

RR

Director

Rec

RA

Final Acts

RRB

Radiocommunication Bureau
RofP

RAG
CPM: Conference Preparatory Meeting
Rec: ITU-R Recommendation
RofP: Rules of Procedure
RR: Radio Regulations (treaty status)

RAG: Radiocommunication Advisory Group


RRB: Radio Regulations Board
SGs & SC: Radiocommunication Study Groups and Special Committee
WRC: World Radiocommunication Conference

Figure 18 Importance conferences and outputs of ITU-R

19

37

From ITU-R website

The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) is the most important


conference in ITU-R, normally held one month long every four to five years.
The WRC is the forum where countries decide on the shared use of the
frequency spectrum to allow the deployment or growth of all types of
radiocommunication services that have global implications
WRC decisions are contained in Final Acts which include amendments to the
Radio Regulations (RR, treaty status)
The Radio Regulations provide for the allocation of radio frequency
spectrum to various radio services (e.g. broadcasting, satellite
communications, radiolocation and mobile).
The Radio Regulations also provide the technical provisions for sharing
radio frequency spectrum among radio services and the regulatory
provisions for bringing into use new radio based systems.
Adopts Resolutions covering technologies and future work of the ITU-R.

222 Regional Organizations and Administrations


For the allocation of frequencies the world has been divided into three Regions
as shown on the following map20. The detail information about the area which is
included in each Region can be found in Radio Regulations.

Figure 19 Three Regions in the world

20

From Radio Regulations published by ITU-R

38

There are six main regional organizations in the world.


Inter-American Telecommunications Commission (CITEL)
European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT)
Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT)
African Telecommunications Union (ATU)
Arab Spectrum Management Group (ASMG)
Regional Commonwealth in the field of Communications (RCC)

Each of the Regional Spectrum organizations has a WRC preparatory function.


Administrations in each Region will submit draft proposals to the Regional
Spectrum organizations.
The regional organization will adopt common proposals before the WRC in
accordance with their own procedures.
The regional proposals are submitted to the WRC on behalf of all of their Members.

Figure 20 Six main regional organizations in the world

39

7 References
111 3GPP 37.104 v11.2.1
222 Report ITU-R M.2024(2000), Summary of spectrum usage survey results
333 Report ITU-R M.2072(2006), World mobile telecommunication market
forecast
444 Report ITU R M.2074(2006), Radio aspects for the terrestrial component of
IMT-2000 and systems beyond IMT-2000
555 Report ITU-R M.2078(2006), Estimated spectrum bandwidth requirements
for the future development of IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced
666 Report ITU-R M.2079(2006), Technical and operational information for
identifying Spectrum for the terrestrial component of future development of
IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced
777 Recommendation ITU-R M.1036-4(03.12), Frequency arrangements
for implementation of the terrestrial component of International Mobile
Telecommunications (IMT) in the bands identified for IMT in the Radio
Regulations (RR)
888 Radio Regulations (Edition of 2008)
999 Provisional final acts (WRC-12)

40

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