Future wireless spectrum below 6 GHz: A UK perspective

Abstract

Spectrum is a limited resource (especially below 6 GHz where most mobile and wireless systems currently operate) and optimizing its use is the target of national regulators in order to provide and deliver maximum benefit and services to the citizens. We present the UK perspective on the future wireless spectrum below 6 GHz, including plans and strategy of Ofcom (the UK telecommunications regulator) to make more spectrum available for wireless and mobile services. We identify capacity (especially indoors), coverage, machine-to-machine (M2M) and wireless backhaul as four major drivers that are expected to influence spectrum regulation in the coming future, and discuss the spectrum bands under consideration with respect to each. We then examine the amount and nature of future spectrum below 6 GHz. We find that, unlike currently allocated spectrum, most of the new spectrum (close to 80%) would be shared spectrum and it will be accessed via either licensed shared access (LSA) or opportunistic spectrum access (OSA) models. We outline a trend indicating that hybrid geolocation database plus sensing will be a dominant and more generally applicable spectrum access technique in the future when dealing with shared spectrum bands with incumbents not in the wireless services sector. On the other hand, some form of beacon signaling can enable efficient spectrum sharing among heterogeneous wireless systems assuming such signaling can be incorporated in a cost-effective manner. Finally we discuss 5G requirements under consideration and potential spectrum below 6 GHz to meet those requirements.

On the potential of TVWS spectrum to enable a low cost middle mile network infrastructure

“…This section describes the methodology we used for our analysis along with the newly introduced notion of usable TVWS spectrum. Regarding the TVWS spectrum, although it currently ranges from 490 -790 MHz as per UK regulations [14], there is a plan to clear the 700 MHz band (694-790MHz) and allocate it to mobile operators [11]. Nevertheless, we consider the whole range as it is today.…”

“…TVWS Spectrum Availability Studies and Measurements. Broadly speaking, TVWS spectrum can be accessed using either spectrum sensing or by consulting a geolocation database [11]. Early research and standards using TVWS spectrum employed the spectrum sensing approach (e.g., IEEE 802.22 [12], WhiteFi [13]).…”

Spectrum Occupancy in Rural Nigeria: A Case for A Lightly Licensed Spectrum Band for Rural Broadband Enhancement

“…Several usage determination campaigns have been carried out in many countries in the world [5], [6], [7], [8], [9] [10] and [11] aimed at investigating the possibility of providing services on idle spectrum. In all spectrum occupancy drive, researchers attempted to quantify the spectral occupancy and help to identify possible free spectrum channels in their areas of interest, in this research we concentrated in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) spectrum bands within the rural areas of Nigeria, taking specific interest in inactive spectrum holes that may be appropriate for secondary access spectrum sharing broadband services in rural Nigeria.…”

Design of wide‐band dual‐polarized antennas with plate for improving gain characteristics

“…The fifth generation service is expected to use frequencies below and above 6 GHz, simultaneously. In the frequency band below 6 GHz, the 3.5 GHz band, which enables universal services, is actively researched in most countries …”

“…In the frequency band below 6 GHz, the 3.5 GHz band, which enables universal services, is actively researched in most countries. [1][2][3] So far, the dual-polarized antennas with AE45 polarized wave, which conduct the wide-band operations to improve the coverage of the service and the communication quality and implement the diversity of polarized wave to minimize the decrease of receive sensitivity caused by the multipath fading have been developed and utilized. [4][5][6] These elements are implemented to have a reflection plate on the backside of the radiating element to achieve high gain and high directivity.…”