April has been a busy month for regulators across the globe. Here is a recap of all the new updates you need to know.
Indonesia Plans New WLAN Regulations
Indonesia’s regulatory body, SDPPI, has announced they plan to draft new rules for WLAN. Specifically, they aim to make more extensive use of 5Ghz, as well as set new guidelines for channel bonding and tamper-proofing. READ MORE.
Brazil Announces 3-Month Postponement of Act 14448
Brazil’s regulatory agency ANATEL has announced they will postpone the implementation of their new rules, the ATO 14448, for the next three months. The move comes amid concerns over the efficacy of the new testing rules, which are currently being redrafted for release in late July 2018. READ MORE.
South Africa Announces Increase in Administrative Fees
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has announced it will increase the administrative fee schedule beginning in April 2018. The move comes amid concerns over the regulatory burden the agency currently faces in its type approval process. READ MORE.
Colombia Extends Free Spectrum Comments Period by One Week
Between 2014 and 2016, the Agencia Nacional del Espectro (ANE) audited and redrafted the rules surrounding the use of a nationwide free spectrum. The rules changes, outlined in resolution 711 of 2016, aims to ensure proper regulation of the free spectrum in the face of rapidly advancing communications technologies. However, the agency fully admits that its new rules may prove inadequate concerning technological advancements and expanded uses of the free spectrum. Thus, the agency has proposed a consultation period whereby they will study international trends for regulatory practices of free spectrums, as well as open their rules changes to public comments.
The original window for the public consultation and commenting period was scheduled to last for one week. Based on feedback from numerous sources, the ANE announced this month that it would extend the consultation and comments period by an additional week to allow ample time for other government agencies and third parties to submit their recommendations. READ MORE.
Argentina Publishes Three Additional ENACOM Resolutions and Standards.
Argentina’s ENACOM agency has published new standards for regulatory compliance that include new rules for user terminals, radio base stations, and digital multi-channel systems. Chief among the new regulations, ENACOM will no longer accept FCC reports on testing as valid, which means 2G/3G/4G devices from the U.S. will require local testing. Local testing of radio base stations will also be necessary, and CNT-PM-1 standards are no longer considered valid. READ MORE.
Australia Announces Updated Emission Requirements
Australia has announced an update to their Electromagnetic compatibility of multimedia equipment — Emission requirements. Previously, two rules, CISPR 22 and CISPR 13, regulated the electromagnetic compatibility and emissions requirements of IT equipment and AV equipment, respectively. To better monitor these systems, and to meet the needs of technological advancements that blur the lines before these two previously delineated forms of technology, Australia has proposed CISPR 32, meant to replace CISPR 22 and CISPR 13.
CISPR 32 will require new emissions testing, including:
- Radiated emissions at either 10 or 3 m distances, 30 MHz to 1 GHz, with additional testing up to 6 GHz dependent on EUT highest clock frequency. 10 m distance limits are identical to those specified in CISPR 22.
- Conducted emissions at the AC mains power ports, 150 kHz to 30 MHz. Limits are identical to CISPR 22.
- Asymmetric mode conducted emissions, 150 kHz to 30 MHz. This covers wired network ports, optical fiber ports with a metallic shield or tension members, antenna ports and broadcast receiver tuner ports (Class B equipment only). It is similar to the requirements specified in CISPR 22 for conducted disturbances at telecommunication ports. It applies to those ports that will connect to cables longer than 3 m.
- Conducted differential voltage emissions, 30 MHz to either 1000 or 2150 MHz. This covers TV broadcast receiver tuner ports (terrestrial and satellite), RF modulator output ports and FM broadcast receiver tuner ports. It is similar to CISPR 13 and only required for Class B equipment.
FCC Announces Strategy for 5G Deployment in the U.S.
On April 18, the FCC announced its plans to deploy 5G across the U.S. to upgrade the nation’s wireless infrastructure. The FCC’s strategy is three-fold:
- Spectrum: Forward-thinking spectrum policy is critical for next-generation wireless networks. The FCC is focused on making additional low-, mid-, and high-band spectrum available for 5G services.
- Low-band: Deploying service in 600 MHz bands post-incentive auction.
- Mid-band: Exploring a shared service framework in the 3.5 GHz band and developing next steps for terrestrial use in the 3.7 GHz band.
- High-band: Unleashing spectrum at the frontiers of the spectrum chart, including pursuing millimeter wave spectrum for 5G terrestrial use and looking forward to spectrum auctions in 28 and 24 GHz bands.
- Wireless Infrastructure: 5G communications will depend on robust infrastructure to support the intensive data uses that will expand exponentially in the coming years. 5G networks will operate over a hybrid of both traditional cell towers and comparatively small deployments, such as small cells. The FCC is working to eliminate unnecessary barriers to the efficient implementation of wireless infrastructure to support 5G.
- Reducing Regulatory Barriers: The FCC is reducing regulatory barriers to encourage investment in the 5G networks of the future and bring digital opportunity to all Americans.