European Radiocommunications Office - TG4

The ERO (European Radiocommunications Office) working group TG4 deals with the harmonisation of the numerical dividend in Europe. The European regulators are working on the following themes (defined in document [1]):

1. Report A [2] considered compatibility issues that may appear between DVB-T and multimedia broadcasting type networks (downlink multimedia services can be provided by various systems, such as DVB-T, DVB-H, T-DMB, FLO, WiMAX, WCDMA/HSDPA, MBMS or other cellular services) due to differences in received field strength when using non-co-sited transmitters in adjacent channels and beyond, and proposes solutions to overcome these conflicts.
   
   Report A considers two approaches to implement multimedia broadcasting. The first approach proposed an implementation without a harmonised sub-band, based on GE06 Plan entries and the second approach, an implementation based on a harmonised sub-band. Report A recommends that only non mandatory approaches were to be considered. These two approaches are not mutually exclusive and could be implemented on a non mandatory basis by administrations simultaneously or in different timeframes. The extent of implementation of any harmonised spectrum will be reflected in the amount of re-planning and coordination between the affected countries. This implementation would be introduced into the Plan through the modification procedure.
2. Report B [3] considers compatibility issues that may appear between DVB-T and fixed/mobile services, such as, for example, 3G mobile phones IMT, WiMAX.
   Supplementary Report [4] containing the results of technical studies to define harmonised technical parameters for the usage of the harmonised sub-band by fixed/mobile applications and identify additional compatibility studies to be undertaken within CEPT.
3. Report C [5] assesses the feasibility of fitting new/future applications/services into non-harmonised spectrum of the digital dividend (namely the so-called "white spots" between allotments).

1. Opportunist radio

The report C is about opportunist access to the UHF bands. The conclusion of this document about this kind of applications if the following one:

Introduction of new cognitive radio applications for interleaved deployment in this band has been considered based on discussions which have emerged in the United States based upon ATSC 8-VSB transmissions. This technology is still under development and these matters will need a further review in the future. The feasibility of cognitive sharing schemes has not yet been conclusively demonstrated. It is too early in the development cycle to judge the final capabilities of cognitive radio technology for white space devices. Any sharing scheme will have to be carefully assessed and confirmed, including by testing, before it can be put in place. This includes compatibility with other services such as terrestrial broadcasting and PMSE equipment but also the consequence in terms of possibility of evolution of terrestrial broadcasting planning and technology.

Based on the decisions of the RRC06 and WRC’07 related to the UHF band, the potential for white space spectrum availability is being gradually reduced. The re-planning and move to digital broadcasting under the GE06 Plan has resulted in far less white space being available than previously under the analogue ST61 environment. Moreover, a potential harmonisation of a sub-band for fixed/mobile applications will diminish the amount of white space spectrum available for interleaved services in the band 470 - 862 MHz.

Since the CR technology is at a very early stage the CEPT recommends looking further into the requirements within the European environment for CR devices to be deployed in white space spectrum in order to facilitate the further development of CR technology.

The current CEPT view is that any new white space applications should be used on a non protected non interfering basis.

The mission of the ERO TG4 has been extended in the middle of 2008, with a new mission described in this document [6]. No mention of study about opportunist access to UHF band is made. Nevertheless, we can expect with the above conclusion that if a consortium of industrial and academic partners develops a global solution of spectrum sharing within these bands, it would be analyzed.

2. External links

• Official website of ERO TG4
• Official website of ANFR
• Official website of OFCOM

References:

[1] Technical Roadmap / CEPT Report
[2] Report A / CEPT Report 21
[3] Report B / CEPT Report 22
[4] Supplementary Report to Report B / CEPT Report 23
[5] Report C / CEPT Report 24
[6] Second EU mandate