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1755 - 1850 MHz Band
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Although heavily used for federal government operations, this band is on the short list for accommodating mobile broadband applications, either by sharing or by relocating federal systems. It would be a natural completion of spectrum at 1710-1755 (AWS-1) that has already been reallocated, and the existing 1850-1990 MHz PCS band.
NTIA has issued a report on the costs associated with moving federal systems out of this band. See the related documents list for a link to the document. The bottom line is that, as of 2012, it would cost about $18 billion and take 10 years to clear the band, according to NTIA.
The following historical material on the 1755-1850 MHz band is from Wireless Spectrum Finder by Benn Kobb, last published in 2001. Wireless Spectrum Finder is now (c) SpectrumWiki.com:
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International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000) is a global personal communications service via terrestrial and satellite links (see 1850—1990 MHz). Among the spectrum identified for IMT-2000 by the World Radio Conference-2000 (WRC-2000) was 1710—1885 MHz.
This is a critical band in the defense infrastructure. Federal frequency assignments in 1755—1850 MHz are extensive and nationwide. Certain key sites will need special interference protection from prospective IMT-2000 deployments. In the FCC’s words, “potentially serious sharing problems” arise between IMT-2000 and federal systems in this band.
The Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) Space-Ground Link Subsystem (SGLS) in 1761—1842 MHz (uplink) and 2200—2290 MHz (downlink) controls numerous defense and research satellites, including British and NATO systems and the Global Positioning System (GPS) as well as Space Shuttle functions.
U.S.-based SGLS primary stations are in Colorado and California, with tracking stations nationwide and at Diego Garcia, Greenland and the United Kingdom. SGLS also uses transportable stations, normally operated from military bases, to provide coverage for launch and orbit operations.
Mobile Subscriber Equipment (MSE, Army) and Digital Wideband Transmission System (DWTS, Navy) are microwave links for use in several bands including 1755—1850 MHz. Video teleconferencing, e-mail, telephone and Internet connectivity are among the services they provide.
Air Combat Training Systems (ACTS) and Joint Tactical Combat Training Systems (JTCTS) use this spectrum to compute and transmit altitude, velocity, and weapons status in simulations. The JTCTS provides aircrew training using only links between aircraft, without the need for instrumented ground facilities.
Other defense uses in this part of the spectrum include tactical radio relay; television from aircraft-mounted cameras for remote piloting and monitoring of civil disturbances; wireless local area networks for combat troops; intrusion detection; dismounted soldier identification; and telecommand of robots.
Another interesting use of this spectrum is in control of precision weapons used against "high-value" and hardened enemy targets. Equipped with cameras or infrared sensors, GPS receivers, and wireless control links, the weapons are guided to the target by an officer watching on video.
Aerostat balloons used to detect low-flying aircraft in drug interdiction use voice and data links in this band. The Navy operates high-speed interceptor boats that transmit video in this band to nearby warships.
This is key government spectrum for non-defense, fixed microwave links. Among the fixed service users are the Department of Energy for control and sensing in electric utility operations; the Department of Justice and the Department of Treasury for linking law enforcement land mobile systems; and the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture for forest and park management, and emergency communications in remote areas. The Army Corps of Engineers uses this band to control hydropower stations and provide flood control and maintenance communications at inland waterway facilities. The fixed-link portions of Coast Guard safety systems (see 154—156.2475 MHz) use this band. Many of these systems are being moved to higher bands.
IMT-2000 Issues
The incumbency and wide coverage areas of these federal operations, especially SGLS, MSE/DWTS, ACTS and fixed systems, greatly impacts the introduction of IMT-2000 into the 1700 MHz spectrum, particularly the 1805—1850 MHz segment.
A variety of techniques will be needed to prevent interaction between IMT-2000 and defense systems, including band segmenting, exploitation of antenna capabilities, siting of base stations, changes to power levels, possible “keep away” beacons, and cooperative scheduling of operations. Receivers already on satellites could face degradation from IMT-2000 transmitters as market penetration for the new service increases.
The need for these precautions will likely impact the revenues that IMT-2000 license auctions can generate. Government users who must relocate their stations will be entitled to compensation by new entrants.
***** (End of historical information from Wireless Spectrum Finder)
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Frequency Bands |
| Band | Use | Service11 | Table |
| 1755 - 1850 MHz | 1755-1850 MHz band | - | F |
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