Paris, 27 July 2012
ARCEP submitted a document to public consultation from 10 April to 29 May 2012 whose purpose was to obtain feedback from stakeholders on how the use of radio-relay systems was likely to evolve in future, and associated spectrum requirements along with it - particularly in view of broadband and superfast broadband electronic communications network rollouts.
Today, we are publishing a summary of all of the responses we received.
Stakeholders underscored the importance of having enough radio spectrum resources for this type of link. They also suggested regulatory changes relating to opening up new frequency bands, making wider channel arrangements available in frequency bands that are already being used by radio-relay systems, and having more flexible licensing rules.
From the results of the public consultation, ARCEP has taken away an objective of opening the 32 GHz (31.8-33.4 GHz) band with channel arrangements of 56 MHz and 112 MHz. Licences to use this band will be issued over time, in the form of both assignments and allocations.
In addition, wider channel arrangements will be permitted in certain bands already being used by radio-relay systems:
- in the 38 GHz band, 56 and 112 MHz channel arrangements for licences delivered by assignment and allocation;
- in the 26 GHz band, a 112 MHz channel arrangement for assignments;
- in the 23 GHz band, a 56 MHz channel arrangement for assignments.
ARCEP has begun to prepare corresponding decisions, with a view to put them into effect as shortly as possible.
In addition, ARCEP is working in tandem with the stakeholders on examining rearrangements that may be necessary to pave the way for future, larger channel arrangements for allocations in the 23 and 26 GHz bands.
Some of the remarks also concerned the spectrum requirements of point-to-multipoint systems in the 26 GHz and 42 GHz bands: this question will be explored in depth with stakeholders in the coming months.
ARCEP will also assess the opportunity and feasibility of more flexible licensing rules for the 70-80 GHz band which remain compatible with preventing interference between users.
Lastly, some players wanted to see new frequency bands identified to meet the needs of long-distance and broadband links. Here, ARCEP offers a reminder that the 11 GHz band is currently available for such applications and that it is still largely unused.
Linked documents
Summary of the public consultation (pdf - 62KB) (pdf - in French only) 
Stakeholder responses (zip - 2.33MB) (zip - in French only)