ASIA-PACIFIC TELECOMMUNITY
The 5th Meeting of the APT Conference Preparatory
Group for WRC-15 (APG15-5)
27 July – 1 August 2015, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Document
APG15-5/INF-10
20 July 2015
Boeing Defence Australia
INFORMATION PAPER RELATED TO AGENDA ITEM 10: ON THE USE
OF NON-GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITE SYSTEMS FOR HIGH DENSITY
APPLICATIONS IN FREQUENCY BANDS ALLOCATED TO THE FIXEDSATELLITE SERVICE
Background
Demand for global high-bandwidth data access is increasing rapidly, from densely populated urban
environments to lightly populated remote areas and everywhere in between. High implementation
costs, lack of terrestrial infrastructure and other factors limit access to basic telecommunication
services in remote regions and these regions may never have adequate access to advanced
broadband applications through terrestrial means. In contrast, satellite systems excel at providing
global service to fixed and mobile users regardless of location. In particular, non-geostationary
satellite orbit (NGSO) systems, have unique operational characteristics that enable high data-rate
communications to ubiquitously-deployed user terminals.
Recent advances in satellite design, launch service capabilities and user terminal technology bring
the benefits of global satellite broadband within reach. NGSO systems are particularly suited to
operate directly with user terminals, can readily be integrated with other communications
infrastructure and can direct resources dynamically to meet demand for a wide range of
applications. To reduce cost and complexity, NGSO systems can operate user links in lower FSS
bands (e.g., below 20 GHz) with superior propagation characteristics while operating gateway links
in higher FSS bands (e.g., above 20 GHz) that support larger throughputs. Lower frequency user
links enable use of simpler, lower-cost user terminals. This helps solve the ‘lack of service’ issues
common to rural and remote populations that currently have little or no broadband access.
Enabling NGSO FSS systems to support global broadband applications in more of the existing FSS
bands will expand opportunities for new entrants, enhance competition in the communications
services marketplace and facilitate flexibility in satellite and user terminal design. In particular,
access to existing FSS satellite and earth station components will result in lower-cost NGSO FSS
equipment and services, enhancing access to, and expanding the benefits of, global broadband
applications in un-served and underserved regions of the world.
Through GSO-arc avoidance techniques, NGSO FSS systems also reuse spectrum currently utilized
by geostationary satellite and other services, which further enhances spectrum efficiency and
available capacity for broadband applications. Using next-generation satellite payloads, including
digital channelization and antenna beam-forming technologies, these systems can be integrated with
other network elements to optimize coverage and provide capacity to various geographic regions as
Contact:
MOHAMED I-EL AMIN
Boeing Defence Australia, Australia
Email:
Mohamed.ElAmin@boeing.com
APG15-5/INF-10
user demand changes. New user terminal technologies facilitate spectrum sharing and dynamic
access to NGSO satellites and other network elements.
Multiple NGSO FSS system designs have been proposed or are contemplated in various frequency
bands to help bridge the digital divide for fixed and mobile users around the world. Although the
ITU Radio Regulations facilitate NGSO FSS support for global broadband applications in certain
FSS bands, the communications technology advances noted above and other technological
innovations suggest that NGSO FSS systems could support broadband connectivity in a wider range
of FSS bands. Accordingly, the ITU should consider appropriate regulatory actions, potentially
including expansion of frequency ranges identified for high-density applications within existing
FSS allocations and revision of geographic, technical and regulatory provisions associated with the
operation of NGSO FSS systems.
Reports suggest that planned NGSO FSS systems will commence operations and introduce new,
satellite-based broadband services in the next several years. Accordingly, a decision by WRC-15 to
adopt an agenda item for WRC-19 to consider, on the basis of ITU-R studies, NGSO FSS technical
and regulatory issues and develop appropriate provisions to facilitate the introduction of these
services is essential to realizing the full benefits of NGSO FSS systems and ensuring compatibility
with incumbent systems and services. To this end, it is proposed to consider all bands allocated to
the Fixed Satellite Service.
Conclusion
APT Members are invited to consider the annex to this paper which describes a new agenda item
for WRC-19 on the use of non-geostationary satellite systems for high density applications in
frequency bands allocated to the fixed-satellite service. This may be considered by APT Members
for presentation as a multi-country proposal to WRC-15 on Agenda Item 10.
______________________
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APG15-5/INF-10
ANNEX
Proposal
MOD
[Admin]/10/[n]
RESOLUTION 808 (WRC-15)
Agenda for the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference
The World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva, 2015),
Reasons: To modify the agenda for WRC-19 to add a new item.
ADD
[Admin]/10/[n+1]
[n+1].X
to consider, on the basis of ITU-R studies in accordance with Resolution [XXX]
(WRC-15), appropriate regulatory actions, including potential addition of frequency ranges
identified for use by high-density applications within existing fixed-satellite service allocations and
revision of geographic, technical and regulatory provisions associated with use of non-geostationary
satellites for such applications.
Reasons: To establish the basis for ITU-R studies with a view to facilitating the efficient use of
non-geostationary orbits and spectrum resources to help satisfy the global demand for access to
high-speed communications independent of location in bands currently allocated to the fixedsatellite service.
ADD
[Admin]/10/[n+2]
RESOLUTION [XXX] (WRC-15)
Use of non-geostationary satellite systems for high density applications in frequency bands
allocated to the fixed-satellite service
The World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva, 2015),
considering
a)
that, in accordance with No. 6 of its Constitution (Geneva, 1992), one of the purposes of the
International Telecommunication Union is “to promote the extension of the benefits of the new
telecommunication technologies to all the world’s inhabitants”;
b)
that due to the high cost, lack of terrestrial infrastructure and other factors, many rural and
remote areas of the world have only limited access to basic telecommunication services and may
never have adequate access to advanced broadband applications through terrestrial means;
c)
that there remains an urgent need for greater broadband connectivity and
telecommunications services in underserved communities and in rural and remote areas;
d)
that due to recent innovations and new technologies, constellations of non-geostationary
satellites may provide global coverage and facilitate low-cost broadband communications services;
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APG15-5/INF-10
e)
that systems based on the use of new technologies associated with both geostationary and
non-geostationary satellite constellations are capable of providing the most isolated regions of the
world with high-capacity and low-cost means of communications;
f)
that the operation of such systems requires a suitable amount of spectrum in appropriate
frequency bands;
g)
that technical, operational, and regulatory issues should be studied in order to achieve the
most efficient use of the spectrum that may be available for these systems;
h)
that numerous studies have been conducted that demonstrate non-geostationary-satellite
systems in the fixed-satellite service (FSS) can operate in frequency bands allocated to the FSS
without causing harmful interference to and without the need to claim protection from
geostationary-satellite networks;
i)
that Resolution 143 (Rev. WRC-07) (Guidelines for the implementation of high-density
applications in the FSS in frequency bands identified for these applications) recognizes the
increasing demand for global broadband communications services, such as those provided by highdensity applications in the fixed-satellite service (HDFSS), notes that certain technical and
regulatory provisions have been developed and certain bands identified for such services, but
suggests that additional studies may be required to realize the full potential of such systems;
j)
that geostationary and non-geostationary satellite and earth station technology have
advanced significantly to enable the use of improved interference mitigation techniques that would
facilitate sharing between HDFSS and other FSS applications, as well as co-frequency operations
with non-satellite services;
k)
that non-geostationary satellite systems have certain operational characteristics that are
distinct from those of geostationary satellite systems that may support the provision of HDFSS
applications with different technical criteria;
considering further
a)
that non-geostationary satellite systems offer advantages over geostationary satellites for
certain applications, particularly those requiring low latency;
b)
that satellite systems can provide rapidly deployable telecommunications infrastructure and
extend the benefits of the information age to all the world's citizens, which is vital for economic
development, as well as for education, health care, public services and government uses;
c)
that developing technical and regulatory provisions for HDFSS applications provided by
non-geostationary satellites systems in the FSS will increase efficiency of the spectrum resource,
and promote the introduction of new systems and services around the world;
d)
that the use of radio frequency bands allocated to the FSS by non-geostationary-satellite
systems is subject to various provisions of the Radio Regulations (RR);
e)
that non-geostationary satellite systems in the FSS shall not claim protection from
geostationary satellite networks in the FSS operating in accordance with the RR No. 22.2,
irrespective of the dates of receipt by the Bureau of the complete coordination or notification
information, as appropriate, for the non-geostationary-satellite systems and the geostationary
networks;
f)
that non-geostationary satellite systems in the FSS shall be operated in such a way that any
unacceptable interference that may occur during their operation be rapidly eliminated;
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APG15-5/INF-10
g)
that the application of the existing regulatory provisions that facilitate use of certain bands
allocated to the FSS by non-geostationary satellite systems could potentially be extended to
additional frequency bands currently allocated to the FSS,
recognizing
a)
that non-geostationary satellite orbits and associated spectrum are valuable resources and
equitable access to these resources should be protected for the benefit of all countries in the world;
b)
that effective use of non-geostationary satellite orbits and associated spectrum has the
potential to augment substantially the capacity, spectrum efficiency and benefits derived from
geostationary and non-geostationary satellite systems operating in bands allocated to the FSS;
resolves to invite WRC-19
to consider, based on results of ITU-R studies, modifications to the Radio Regulations to enable
expanded use of non-geostationary satellite systems to support HDFSS and other applications in
bands allocated to the FSS,
invites ITU-R
to conduct and complete, in time for WRC-19, the necessary studies relating to the sharing criteria
to be applied for determining the need for coordination between non-geostationary satellite systems
supporting HDFSS applications and geostationary satellite systems, non-geostationary satellite
systems and other space and terrestrial services, with a view to promoting efficient use of
spectrum/orbit resources and equitable access to these resources by all countries;
invites administrations
to participate in the studies by submitting contributions to ITU-R.
Reasons: A resolution will support the ITU-R studies needed under the relevant WRC-19 agenda
item.
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APG15-5/INF-10
ATTACHMENT
Proposal for agenda items
Subject: Proposed agenda item for WRC-19 to support the use of non-geostationary satellite
systems for high density applications in frequency bands allocated to the fixed-satellite service.
Origin: [APT Member]
Proposal:
to consider, on the basis of ITU-R studies in accordance with Resolution [XXX] (WRC-15),
appropriate regulatory actions, including potential addition of frequency ranges identified for
use by high-density applications within existing fixed-satellite service allocations and revision of
geographic, technical and regulatory provisions associated with use of non-geostationary
satellites for such applications.
Background/reason:
Demand for global high-bandwidth data access is increasing rapidly, from densely populated urban
environments to lightly populated remote areas and everywhere in between. High implementation
costs, lack of terrestrial infrastructure and other factors limit access to basic telecommunication
services in remote regions and these regions may never have adequate access to advanced
broadband applications through terrestrial means. In contrast, satellite systems excel at providing
global service to fixed and mobile users regardless of location. In particular, non-geostationary
satellite orbit (NGSO) systems, have unique operational characteristics that enable high data-rate
communications to ubiquitously-deployed user terminals.
Recent advances in satellite design, launch service capabilities and user terminal technology bring
the benefits of global satellite broadband within reach. NGSO systems are particularly suited to
operate directly with user terminals, can readily be integrated with other communications
infrastructure and can direct resources dynamically to meet demand for a wide range of
applications. To reduce cost and complexity, NGSO systems can operate user links in lower FSS
bands (e.g., below 20 GHz) with superior propagation characteristics while operating gateway links
in higher FSS bands (e.g., above 20 GHz) that support larger throughputs. Lower frequency user
links enable use of simpler, lower-cost user terminals. This helps solve the ‘lack of service’ issues
common to rural and remote populations that currently have little or no broadband access.
Enabling NGSO FSS systems to support global broadband applications in more of the existing
FSS bands will expand opportunities for new entrants, enhance competition in the
communications services marketplace and facilitate flexibility in satellite and user terminal
design. In particular, access to existing FSS satellite and earth station components will result in
lower-cost NGSO FSS equipment and services, enhancing access to, and expanding the benefits
of, global broadband applications in un-served and underserved regions of the world.
Radiocommunication services concerned: Fixed Satellite Service
Indication of possible difficulties: Nil identified
Previous/ongoing studies on the issue: Nil
Studies to be carried out by: SG4
with the participation of:
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APG15-5/INF-10
ITU-R Study Groups concerned: SG4
ITU resource implications, including financial implications (refer to CV126): Minimal
Common regional proposal: Yes/No
Multicountry proposal: Yes/No
Number of countries:
Remarks
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