Mobile Broadband:

Spectrum Needs
and Harmonization
Veena Rawat
VP, Ambassador to the ITU
Research In Motion

Private and public partnership for

mobile broadband access
Radio frequency spectrum is an essential resource for
wireless access networks
Developing national mobile broadband capabilities is an
area of high priority for many administrations
Assign spectrum for the greatest national benefit
A key policy element is to provide access to broadband networks in
rural and remote areas

Mobile broadband can provide wireless access for rural and

remote areas
New mobile broadband technologies, such as LTE, can provide
traditional fixed access and as well as new mobile applications in
rural and remote areas

Spectrum harmonization (local, regional and globally) is the

key component for mobile broadband networks to achieve
benefits of economies of scale and increase spectrum
efficiency

Mobile broadband technology for

high capacity and large coverage
Technology is ready for flexible and large spectrum use
LTE-Advanced can support up to 100 MHz aggregated spectrum for high data rate
and high user capacity
Contiguous spectrum is preferred to take advantage of this technology
Peak data rate for LTE-Advanced system (FDD)
(based on spectral efficiency as submitted to ITU-R from 3GPP)

Downlink

Uplink

Spatial
multiplexing

Spectral
efficiency
(bit/s/Hz)

4 layer

Bandwidth
5 MHz

10 MHz

20 MHz

40 MHz

80 MHz

16.3

80 Mbps

163 Mbps

326 Mbps

652 Mbps

1.2 Gbps

8 layer

30.6

151 Mbps

306 Mpbs

612 Mbps

1.2 Gbps

2.4 Gbps

2 layer

8.4

42 Mbps

84 Mbps

168 Mbps

336 Mbps

672 Mbps

4 layer

16.8

84 Mbps

168 Mbpz

336 Mbps

672 Mbps

1.3Gbps

Large spectrum bandwidth is also a tool to extend cell coverage advantage for rural

For the same data rate, link budget is improved by transmitting on larger bandwidth with
more power efficient modulation/coding scheme, e.g. QPSK and/or lower code rate.

The challenge is the implementation of multiple spectrum bands, especially in the user
equipment

Multiple bands and carrier aggregation increase the complexity of RF front-end

Contiguous spectrum is preferred

Note 2: 3GPP Rel-10/11 specifications(LTE-Advanced), operation band can be up 5x20MHz

total spectrum by aggregating 5 carriers, each of which can be up to 20 MHz bandwidth

Implementation complexity
of handset/smartphone
E-UTRA(LTE) operating bands

Support legacy cellular

bands
GSM/PCS/AWS/CDMA

More than 30 band classes

defined for LTE
With Intra-band or inter-band
carrier aggregation

Co-exist with other radio

bands
WiFi/Bluetooth/GPS/NFC

Spectrum harmonization
required to reduce device
implementation complexity

Technologies and Bands

Mobile phones are required to support a wide
range of wireless technologies
Users prefer a single device for access to all
services
In most devices, diversity antennas are a
minimum and
five or moreGSM
antenna sets are
GSM
generally needed
phone.
UMTS in a smart
UMTS

NFC
13.56

EDGE
WCDMA
CDMA
LTE EVDO
700 800

950

Diversity

GPS

EDGE
WCDMA
CDMA
EVDO

1575 1700

1900

Diversity

WLAN/WiMax
BT
2400

Diversity

5800 (MHz)

Antenna Placement in the Handset

Challenges

4G

Diversit
y

WiFI

Bluetooth &
GPS
Main

Where to put multiple

antennas?
Distance between
PCB/bracket and antenna
should be >3mm (BT, GPS,
WiFi and WiMax); for low
bands it should be even
higher.
Space under antenna
element should be clear of
any shields, flexes, or
components
Large batteries limit the
space allocated for the
antennas.
Components (such as shield
cans, speaker, camera) may

Spectrum Harmonization for mobile broadband

For the near term, the following spectrum is
under consideration for mobile broadband and
must be harmonized:
Digital Dividend 600/700/800 MHz
Remaining part of 1710 2200 MHz
2500 2690 MHz

Digital Dividend in Region 2

RR(WRC-12)
Region 2 (MHz)
470-512
BROADCASTING
Fixed
Mobile
5.292 5.293
512-608
BROADCASTING
5.297

Countries in Region 2 support

MOBILE as primary service
5.292 5.293
Argentina, Canada, Chile, Cuba,
Ecuador, the United States, Guyana,
Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama,
Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela
5.297
Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, El
Salvador, the United States,
Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras,
Jamaica and Mexico

608-614
RADIO ASTRONOMY
Mobile-satellite except
aeronautical mobile-satellite
(Earth-to-space)

470-585
FIXED
MOBILE
BROADCASTING
5.291 5.298
585-610
FIXED
MOBILE
BROADCASTING
RADIONAVIGATION
5.149 5.305 5.306 5.307
610-890
FIXED
MOBILE 5.313A MOD 5.317A
BROADCASTING

614-698
BROADCASTING
Fixed
Mobile
5.293 5.309 5.311A

5.293
Canada, Chile, Cuba, the United
States, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica,
Mexico, Panama, Peru

698-806
MOBILE 5.313B MOD 5.317A
BROADCASTING
Fixed

5.313B
Mobile is secondary in Brazil

5.293 5.309 5.311A

RR(WRC-12)
Region 3 (MHz)

1710 2200 MHz

2180

MSS

2155

2110

2025

2000

FIXED
MOBILE

FIXED/MOBILE
MSS

FIXED / MOBILE

1980

1930

1850

1710

R2

MOBILE

MSS

2025 2110 MHz EESS/SPACE/FIXED/mobile

MOBILE

2025 2110 MHz EESS/SPACE/FIXED/mobile

Canadian Frequency Allocation: C37 (CAN-06) The

designation of the bands 1755-1 780 MHz, 2 020-2 025 MHz
and 2 155-2 180 MHz for Advanced Wireless Services may be
the subject of a future public consultation.

MSS
MSS

2200

AWS

2180

2155

2110

MOBILE

MSS

2025

MOBILE

PCS

2000

LE-PCS

1990

PCS

1930

1910

1850

1755

1710

AWS

Canadian

2500-2690 MHz
ITU options for Band Plan

3GPP/LTE Band Plan

2500

2570

LTE band 7
FDD - UL

2620

LTE band 38
TDD

2690

LTE band 7
FDD - DL

Harmonization and WRC-15

WRC-15 provides the next opportunity for harmonization at regional
and global level
Agenda Item 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 COM6/8 (WRC-12);
Agenda Item 1.2 to examine the results of ITU-R studies, in accordance
with Resolution COM5/10(WRC-12), on the use of the frequency band 694790 MHz by the mobile, except aeronautical mobile, service in Region 1 and
take the appropriate measures;

Summary
Mobile broadband enabled by the current
technology and has the advantage and flexibility to
provide services and applications to wide range of
regions, including rural and remote areas
Spectrum harmonization is the necessity for mobile
broadband
Mobile broadband access prefers contiguous
spectrum
Preparation for WRC-15 provides is opportunity to
align harmonization and additional spectrum for
mobile broadband

Backup

Digital Dividend in Region 2

Region 2 (MHz)

5.292 Different category of service: in Mexico, the allocation of the band 470512 MHz to
the fixed and mobile services, and in Argentina, Uruguay and Venezuela to the mobile
service, is on a primary basis (see No. 5.33), subject to agreement obtained under
No. 9.21. (WRC07)
MOD
5.293 Different category of service: in Canada, Chile, Cuba, the United States, Guyana,
Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama and Peru, the allocation of the bands 470-512 MHz and
614-806 MHz to the fixed service is on a primary basis (see No. 5.33), subject to agreement
obtained under No. 9.21. In Canada, Chile, Cuba, the United States, Guyana, Honduras,
Jamaica, Mexico, Panama and Peru, the allocation of the bands 470-512 MHz and 614698 MHz to the mobile service is on a primary basis (see No. 5.33), subject to agreement
obtained under No. 9.21. In Argentina and Ecuador, the allocation of the band 470-512 MHz
to the fixed and mobile services is on a primary basis (see No. 5.33), subject to agreement
obtained under No. 9.21. (WRC12)
5.297 Additional allocation: in Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, the United States,
Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica and Mexico, the band 512-608 MHz is also
allocated to the fixed and mobile services on a primary basis, subject to agreement obtained
under No. 9.21. (WRC07)
5.309 Different category of service: in Costa Rica, El Salvador and Honduras, the
allocation of the band 614-806 MHz to the fixed service is on a primary basis (see No. 5.33),
subject to agreement obtained under No. 9.21.
5.313B Different category of service: in Brazil, the allocation of the band 698-806 MHz
to the mobile service is on a secondary basis (see No. 5.32). (WRC07)
MOD
5.317A Those parts of the band 698-960 MHz in Region 2 and the band 790-960 MHz in
Regions 1 and 3 which are allocated to the mobile service on a primary basis are identified
for use by administrations wishing to implement International Mobile Telecommunications
(IMT) see Resolutions 224 (Rev.WRC12) and 749 (Rev.WRC12), as appropriate. This
identification does not preclude the use of these bands by any application of the services to
which they are allocated and does not establish priority in the Radio
Regulations. (WRC12)

APT band plan

1710-2200
2180

MSS

2155

2110

2025

2000

FIXED
MOBILE

FIXED/MOBILE
MSS

FIXED/ MOBILE

1980

1930

1850

1710

R2

MOBILE

MSS

2025 2110 MHz EESS/SPACE/FIXED/mobile

2200

2180

2155

2110

MOBILE

MSS
MSS

AWS-4

2025 2110 MHz EESS/SPACE/FIXED/mobile

Notes:

The spectrum for further authorization can be assigned as PCS/AWS extension

Band plans for these spectrum should maintain the existing technical condition and minimize
the implementation complexity of handset

Mexico AWS: 1710-1770MHz/2110-2170MHz(60+60 MHz)

Peru AWS: 1710-1770MHz/2110-2170MHz(60+60 MHz)

16

2200

AWS-3

AWS-2

AWS -1

2180

2155

2110

AWS-4

AWS-2

PCS

2025

Under review(NTIA/FCC)
for mobile broadband

US

AWS-2

1850

MOBILE

AWS

2025 2110 MHz EESS/SPACE/FIXED/mobile

2000
1995

1755

UPCS

AWS-2

PCS

1930

1915

1850

1755

1710

AWS -1

MSS

2025

C37 (CAN-06) The designation of the bands 1 755-1 780 MHz, 2 0202 025 MHz and 2 155-2 180 MHz for Advanced Wireless Services
may be the subject of a future public consultation.

2000

PCS

MOBILE

LE-PCS

1990

1930

1910

1850

1755

1710

PCS

AWS

Canadian

2500-2690 MHz

2500-2690 MHz

US Band plan

Canadian
Band plan

ECC Band plan

18

Where to put the antennas and radios?

e.g. Smart Phone c. 2008

Antenna
connectors

back

Space for battery

SIM connector

Note: individual
antennas
may support multiple
service bands