Part B – Consultation on a Policy and Technical Framework on New BRS Licences
The balance of this paper deals with the process for licensing the spectrum that will be available after expiry of the MCS/MDS licences and the incumbent's conversion to BRS licences as set out in Part A. The Department intends to initiate a licensing process using an auction to select entities to which authorizations may be issued to use the available spectrum.
3. Spectrum Packaging for Licensing
3.1 Spectrum available for auction
Building on the concept that recently developed technologies for the 2500 MHz band are based on bandwidths that are multiples of 5 MHz, the Department has used the 5 MHz block grid for referencing purposes. It is not meant to prejudge the outcome of the consultation with respect to appropriate block sizes, and should not be interpreted as a channel plan.
Figure 12 – 2500 MHz Spectrum Grid (for referencing purposes only)
In regions (shown as Region A in Appendix A) where the MDS spectrum has not been licensed, the bands available for auction are 0–2570/0–2690 MHz (A5–A14/A5'–A14') of paired spectrum and 5–2620 MHz (B6–B10) of unpaired spectrum. Block size options for the paired spectrum are multiples of the basic unit of 5 + 5 MHz pairs (for example, 5 + 5 MHz, 10 + 10 MHz, 15 + 15 MHz, etc.) in various combinations and arrangements to total 50 + 50 MHz paired spectrum. Block size options for the unpaired spectrum are multiples of the basic unit of 5 MHz to total 25 MHz of spectrum.
Figure 13 – Spectrum available for auction in regions (shown as Regions A in Appendix A) where the MDS spectrum has not been licensed
