Tapes for 5G in Poland. At 700 MHz, television dominates

In the past, a certain technology was associated with a certain range, for example, specific frequencies were assigned to GSM. The frequencies changed over time as they became technologically neutral.

“Other >> G< (2G, 3G, 4G, indi 5G, 6G perspektivində - red.) standartlaşdırılması >> ITU < ilə əməkdaşlıq edən >> 3GPP << works in the international forum. "The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) cares about the adaptation of technology," he said. "As he explained, telecommunications is very democratic, and standardization plays an important role here." Thanks to this, everything is unified and interaction is ensured. at a high level, ”says Michał CyberDefence24.pl in an interview with Szczęsny, Director of Network Architecture and Planning at EXATEL.

Referring to 5G and earlier solutions, it should be noted that the period of this type of technology in telecommunications is about 10 years. First, the ITU is of the opinion that, for example, it is necessary to increase the speed of data transmission; research and development work is carried out later; then come the tests; additional – technology specification; The last step is execution – operators can offer solutions to customers.

Each implementation is discussed at an international forum, as well as on other issues. frequency ranges to be allocated to a given solution. “This is the purpose of the ITU, which holds its entire congress every four years. Representatives of member states take part in the discussions. The main decisions regarding the allocation of frequencies for a particular technology are made here, “said the Exatel expert.

ITU delegations consist of representatives of the governments of the Member States. These are the representatives of the regulator – in our case it is the UKE; military frequency offices; Ministries and entities of digitalization – in Poland it is the Institute of Communications.

Michał Szczęsny, Director of Architecture and Planning, EXATEL Network

When an agreement is reached at the ITU level, the issue then moves to the regional level – in the case of Poland, to European institutions. Here, according to the decision of the International Telecommunication Union on 5G, the most suitable for this technology will be a range with different characteristics: coverage (700 MHz), capacitive (3.4-3.8 GHz) and very wide with high bandwidth (26 GHz).

The 3.4-3.8 GHz band (defined above as capacitive) is used very often among others. radar service and satellite communication, so it is difficult to organize this strip in different parts of the world.

26 GHz is a wave that can carry a lot of information due to the width of the channel, but the cell is very small and can have a range of several tens of meters (if the transmitter is strong and there are no obstacles, it can reach a radiation. Maximum 200 meters).

While looking for a team that would provide geographical coverage in reasonable technical and financial dimensions, it was necessary to reconsider the broadcast networks for television signals. After the first digital dividend, it’s time for the second. TV signal operators were instructed to “squeeze” their frequencies and return 100 MHz to the needs of the 5G network: “This is physics. If it is not possible to collect more in a given range (bits per hertz per second) – edit differently).” – Our interlocutor explains.

Low frequencies below 1 GHz are called cover, having large cells. The higher the frequency, the smaller the cell. The most desirable for 5G is in the range of 3.4-3.8 GHz, because the cell is 600 meters, max. Allows high throughput up to 1 km in wide open space. On the other hand, this frequency is characterized by very low penetration, ie. penetrate through walls.

Michał Szczęsny, Director of Architecture and Planning, EXATEL Network

Based on decisions made at the international level – ITU, the European Commission – each country receives a task to be performed: “cleaning”, the preparation of frequencies for mobile operators and then allocation. The goals set in Poland are implemented by the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE).

“In the case of 700 MHz in Poland, the national TV multiplex operator must operate in the ‘frequency range for broadcast television’ and additionally apply DVB-T2 / HEVC. Szczęsny explains.

The expert added that there is no great difficulty in the presence of the 3.4-3.8 GHz band in Poland. The problem is not in satellite networks. The worst situation is when allocating allocations for regional and national WiMAX networks, but UKE effectively clears this range.

Make peace with your neighbor

It all starts with the ITU, which, after negotiations, takes concrete steps from above. Then the issue of implementation of the Union’s regulations and agreement falls on the states.

“The whole system works on the principle of a chain of interconnected ships: if it was decided to drop a given frequency and we, as Poland, did not, for example, the national broadcasting network operator did not release the 700 MHz frequency, then, for example, Germany could not adapt and Germany would have a problem , he would also be in France, etc. – explains the expert.

It is the same with our eastern neighbors. They are also obliged to comply with the decisions taken by the ITU at the highest level.

Each band has its own characteristics and does not recognize geographical boundaries. You have to adapt them, that is, communicate with your neighbors.

Michał Szczęsny, Director of Architecture and Planning, EXATEL Network

“Tango needs two”

The 700 MHz band, which could be violated by Russia, appeared in the media. International talks on this soon took place at the end of last year in UKE. Such information was recently spread Moscow does not want to sign an agreement on the release of the group, which, on theoretical grounds, could be associated with the group’s violation in our country, as well as in other countries..

UKE spokesman Witold Tomaszewski confirmed this information on our website.. He noted that talks were held with Russia before the attack on Ukraine, but no agreement was reached.. “This is due to a simple thing – the Russians do not use 700 MHz to 5G. Generally, you need two for tango. It’s not like we can’t force anyone to do something, “said David Cook, chief of The Christian Science Monitor’s Washington bureau.

The office representative explains that it is the so-called basic service in the 700 MHz bandbroadcast, ie television. Mobile is in second place. This means that mobile networks must adapt their configuration to television broadcasting stations.

The point is that television should not interfere with mobile stations, mobile stations should not interfere with television. This is due to the fact that television is a higher priority in this range than mobile communications.

Witold Tomaszewski, spokesman for UKE

Frequency congestion

Regarding the Kremlin’s frequency interference, Michał Szczęsny from Exatel notes that there are several scenarios. The most serious assumption The Kremlin’s deliberate move violates not only the 700 MHz band, but everything else. “If the Russians are malicious and want to sabotage our networks, they can block any cover on a similar scale,” he said.

If they (Russians – ed.) Interfered at 700 MHz, they could intervene at the same scale of 800 MHz, 900 MHz, so that no LTE services, networks of commercial operators, etc. in Poland. do not work.

Michał Szczęsny, Director of Network Architecture and Planning at EXATEL

There seems to be a very important topic here – the legitimacy of this type of activity. As long as there is no compliance (agreement with the neighbors), any reservations regarding Poland’s interference in the 700 MHz band, for example, will be rejected. This means that Theoretically, Moscow can violate the 700 MHz band in Poland, in fact, without violating the law, if the TV stations meet certain parameters.

As Witold Tomaszewski explained, in connection with Russia’s actions against Poland, we are talking about television stations that can be located in the Kaliningrad region at any time and completely legally violate the 700 MHz band (television dominates this frequency). If Moscow had used them to broadcast TV channels and thus interfere in the frequencies, the Kremlin would not have broken any rules.

As for the Kaliningrad region, Russia has the right to launch television stations that it does not use now, thus complicating the configuration of the 700 MHz network in our country to work effectively in the northern regions.

Witold Tomaszewski, spokesman for UKE.

“This is really a problem, because according to the law, Russia has the upper hand in capturing the group,” he said. Then Polish operators will have to adapt to the situation when configuring the stations, “said a spokesman for UKE. However, this does not mean that the Kremlin will decide to take such a step. However, given Moscow’s war and aggression, any option seems realistic.

And if another band, such as 800 MHz or 900 MHz, was violated, would it be illegal? “Yes,” a UKE spokesman said bluntly.

In such cases, the Department conducts an analysis of the incident. Checks where the emission came from (from which country), what type it is, whether the contracts have been violated, etc. If the action is legal, the case is closed. However, if the law is violated, there is interference at the level of regulators.

Poland could do the same

Another scenario is Russia’s exclusion from the ITU, which is strongly demanded by the Ukrainian side, including Poland (the position of Minister Janusz Cieszinski).

If such a situation arises, Moscow itself will lose the opportunity to “complain” to the highest international body about the actions against it (Radio Regulation). In practice, this means that Poland can also disrupt Russian communications by placing transmitters on the border and “lighting” them in the direction of Kaliningrad.The Kremlin could not officially raise the issue at the ITU.

How to resist?

Potential frequency disturbances can be prevented mainly by trying to avoid them by selecting the appropriate frequency channels used. Of course, assuming that there is no intentional interference with the entire bandwidth.

For example, in Russia (Kaliningrad) TV channels operate on special channels in the range of 700 MHz, in some provinces of Poland we can try to select the appropriate frequency fragment for the 5G network.

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