WIMAX: "Governments should remain technology-neutral in spectrum allocation"

The WiMax Forum, an industry-led non-profit body, formed to promote and
certify the interoperability of broadband wireless products says that if there
are favorable regulatory conditions, WiMax can significantly impact developing
nations where service providers haven't yet deployed wireline infrastructure or
where there isn't sufficient quality wiring to support enough people. Margaret
LaBrecque, chairperson of the WiMax Forum's regulatory working group, discussed
some of the regulatory issues with VOICE&DATA. Excerpts:

What are the regulatory issues involved in rolling out WiMax? 

Global harmonization or the uniform allocation of spectrum worldwide is
crucial to lowering equipment costs, because radios are a major cost component
in developing WiMax Forum-certified systems. To maximize performance and
minimize costs, radios must be optimized for each of the major spectrum bands
identified as suitable for WiMax deployments. The fewer the radios needed to
serve the worldwide broadband wireless access (BWA) market, the greater the
economies of scale that can be achieved in manufacturing.

Also, governments should remain technology-neutral in spectrum allocation.
Spectrum bands should be allocated in a manner that allows licensees to deploy
the most appropriate services and technologies for their markets. As long as
these solutions adhere to the regulatory requirements for compatibility of
services and deployments and behave in a safe, fair and, consistent manner.

Which frequency bands are you focussing on?

In the next three years, the forum believes a reasonable level of global
harmonization can be achieved in the following spectrum bands.

License-exempt 5 GHz: The interest includes bands between 5.25 GHz and 5.85
GHz. In a majority of countries, license-exempt spectrum is free to use, this
band is strategic for enabling grassroots deployments in under-served,
low-population rural and remote markets. In the 5.725—5.850 GHz band, many
countries allow higher power output making this band more attractive to WiMax
applications.

Licensed 3.5 GHz: The primary licensed spectrum allocated for BWA
applications lies between 3.4 and 3.6 GHz, although there are some new
allocations between 3.3—3.4 and 3.6—3.8 GHz. Bands between 3.4 and 3.6 GHz
have been allocated for BWA in majority of the countries, with the exception of
the US. In these bands, focus of the WiMax Forum will be to minimize unnecessary
technical and regulatory requirements that might inhibit typical BWA usage
models and overall market development.

Licensed 2.5 GHz: The bands between 2.5 and 2.69 GHz have been allocated in
the US, Mexico, Brazil and some Southeast Asian countries. The WiMax Forum is
participating in ongoing global efforts , stemming from recommendations that
came out of the World Radio Conference 2000, with the objective to widen the
availability of these bands for fixed, portable, and mobile broadband
applications.

Why is there a stress on the lower frequency bands?

Not all spectrum is equal. The lower the frequency band, the fewer the base
stations required. Since deployment cost is a key factor in accelerating
deployment of BWA, access to lower frequency bands is critical. Availability of
lower frequency bands for broadband access will increase broadband penetration.
The WiMax Forum is working with regulators to advance the allocation of licensed
and license-exempt spectrum in lower frequency bands.

How are WiMax norms different from those related to Wi-Fi?

Much progress has been made in getting license-exempt spectrum in the
2.4 and 5 GHz bands around the globe. Because Wi-Fi is designed to operate
in LANs, it is used mostly for private LANs and the spectrum can be 're-used'. 

For commercial WiMax networks with cell sizes of 1 km or more, the spectrum
cannot be re-used by many different deployments. That is why networks that cover
large expanses of area are often done in the licensed spectrum.

Deploying a large footprint network (metropolitan area in size) in
license-exempt bands would subject the operator to the risk of interference from
private homes or businesses using the same spectrum.

What initiatives has the Wimax Forum taken to resolve the issues? 

Influencing spectrum policy is a long-term and ongoing process. The forum
will pursue a top-down (global) and bottoms-up (country-specific) approach. At
global and regional levels we are trying to influence spectrum policy through
various telecom bodies, forums, and groups.

At the individual administration level, we will try to educate regulators on
the benefits of WiMax Forum certified solutions for increasing availability of
broadband access. We also respond to consultations issued by governments .

Anurag Prasad