FCC, NTIA and Industry Canada reached agreement on spectrum- shar...

FCC, NTIA and Industry Canada reached agreement on spectrum- sharing requirements along U.S.-Canada border for U.S. Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) and Canadian Local Multipoint Communications Service (LMCS). Interim arrangement also covers certain services in 27 GHz, 29 GHz and 31 GHz. FCC said arrangement defined coordination requirements to help prevent cross-border interference. It said pact would help promote services such as high-speed Internet access and high-speed data. Arrangement calls for licensees of systems in 27 GHz to coordinate services on either side of border, with carriers encouraged to develop their own sharing agreements. If licensees work out their own sharing arrangement, FCC said that agreement will be followed rather than coordination process outlined in U.S.-Canada agreement. Without such sharing arrangements, coordination will be based on different power flux density (pfd) levels calculated at service area boundaries. In 29 and 31 GHz bands, coordination isn’t required if station generates pfd signal less than or equal to -105 dBW/m2 in any 1 MHz band at border. Above that level, coordination is necessary before deployment. In U.S., 27.35-27.5 GHz is occupied by federal govt. fixed and mobile systems and intersatellite service. That means NTIA and Industry Canada will represent licensees in arranging for coordination in that band segment, FCC said. “This arrangement gives licensees the flexibility to develop their own border-sharing agreements and will encourage expanded development of the 27, 29 and 31 GHz bands,” FCC International Bureau Chief Donald Abelson said. Arrangement includes list of service areas that may need to coordinate with each other. In Canada, 27 GHz band is designated for LMCS, but nation hasn’t yet designated radio service for 29 and 31 GHz. In U.S., 29 GHz is allocated for LMDS and in Canada for fixed and mobile service. Arrangement doesn’t apply to mobile services in those bands, although footnote to arrangement said it might be amended if Canada designated 29 and 31 GHz for fixed service. FCC said arrangement was part of its effort to negotiate agreements with Canada and Mexico to promote efficient spectrum use in border regions -- www.fcc.gov/ib/pnd/agree.