Broadcasters cite 5G interference as guard band will get narrower

With the guard band between the 5G telecom and broadcast providers narrowing sharply, the broadcasters are citing a number of incidents of “disruptions” amid considerations over potential interference and potential outages as soon as full-scale 5G providers are launched throughout the nation. The broadcasting business has despatched in representations to the federal government on this regard, citing earlier stories of service disruptions by operators in locations, comparable to Tamil Nadu and elements of West Bengal.

Broadcasters had earlier advised the federal government that they might require a minimal guard band of 100 MHz from the 3600 MHz frequency band and begin their providers from 3700 MHz. “The 100 MHz guard band is absolutely crucial for the broadcasting industry. It gives us enough cushion to avoid any interference by telecom signals and ensures that our services keep running unhindered,” an govt from the broadcasting business mentioned, requesting anonymity.

Amitabh Kumar, Head of Technology & Broadcasting at Zee Network, mentioned, “Satellites use the frequency of 3700-4200 for broadcasting. Before the 5G services began, the entire spectrum between 3600 Mhz and 3700 was left open as guard band.” But the current 5G allocation, he added, stretches as much as 3670 Mhz. Now, it has been left to the distribution platform operators (DPOs) to take care that they’re sufficiently protected against the interferences from the 5G providers because the mid-band transmissions are very near the downlink frequencies, mentioned Rajiv Khattar, former President of Projects at Dish TV. Currently, the telecom corporations have been given frequencies within the vary of 3630 Mhz, and shortly frequencies as much as 3670 can be used for the 5G providers. The downlink of the TV alerts begins at 3700 Mhz, so the probability of interferences is excessive, Khattar added.

Bandpass filters are a vital gadget to mitigate the chance of interference. The Telecom Engineering Consultants, which is the technical wing of the Department of Telecom (DoT), has launched the generic specs of the bandpass filters that can assist handle potential interferences.

But presently, there isn’t any indigenous producer of bandpass filters and the demand should be fulfilled by imports. It can be nicely value it if the federal government extends some monetary incentives to DPOs from the spectrum public sale earnings within the procurement of bandpass filters, else the published stakeholders should make substantial investments in procuring bandpass filters, Khattar says.

Not having a 100 MHz guard band might disrupt the operations of various TV channels that function beneath the 3800 MHz frequency band. According to the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF), an business physique of broadcasters and cable TV operators, there are near 200 channels that function in that frequency vary. These embody some channels owned by Sahara and another information channels, amongst others.

There have already been a number of situations of service disruptions at cable TV and broadcasters’ finish as a consequence of interference from cellular telecommunication alerts. In December 2021, an entity known as Sai Vision cable community complained to the TRAI concerning interference to broadcasting alerts in C-band from 5G trials. The criticism was later forwarded to the DoT which mentioned that the entity began utilizing 5G filters to mitigate the problem. A broadcasting business govt mentioned there have been service disruptions skilled in some elements of West Bengal in September throughout 5G trials within the state.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), in its ultimate suggestions earlier than the spectrum public sale, advised DoT that broadcasters ought to make do with a 30 MHz guard band in order that the frequency band between 3300 MHz to 3670 MHz could possibly be utilised for cellular communication and 5G providers by telecom operators. It additionally argued that broadcasters might use a cavity filter on their techniques to coexist with telecom providers within the mid frequency band vary.

Globally, China has restricted cellular telecommunications within the 3300-3600 MHz band, based on a submission by the IBDF to the TRAI. In Australia, when the federal government allotted spectrum to 3700 MHz to telecom corporations in 2018, “operators of TV and other C-Band services faced severe disruption post the allocation to 5G,” the IBDF mentioned. South Korea, the IBDF mentioned, is likely one of the nations which has auctioned spectrum until 3700 MHz, noting that the nation doesn’t use satellite tv for pc C-Band extensively for cable and satellite tv for pc providers.

Broadcasters say that beneath the brand new National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP), the federal government has lowered the guard band between broadcasting and 5G providers opposite to their very own TEC pointers and TRAI suggestions. On May 2, IBDF

had written a letter addressed to I&B Secretary Apurva Chandra, “reiterating their concerns regarding impinging on the use of C-Band spectrum, specifically 3.6-4.2 GHz”.

ExplainedMinimum frequency band

Not having a 100 MHz guard band might disrupt the operations of various TV channels that function beneath the 3800 MHz frequency band. According to the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation, an business physique of broadcasters , there are near 200 channels that function in that frequency vary.

Citing TRAI suggestions on 5G Auctions which have been launched on 11 April 2022, it mentioned: “TRAI in its recommendations (which inter-alia contains recommendations for the auction of the 3300-3670 MHz band) has specifically outlined the actions on part of the MIB based on the realisation that the proposed auction of the 3300-3670 MHz bands will cause serious interference in C&S services.”

It mentioned that the TRAI has accepted that “there will be interference in the bands of 3700-4200 MHz used by C&S industry; that there is need to use filters… to eliminate interference; and that MIB needs to sensitise MSOs, DTH Operators and other C&S users on this subject and implications.”

They mentioned the C-band spectrum is the one spectrum allotted and being utilized by the published business as we speak (between 3700 MHz – 4200 MHz) can be rendered incapacitated if the instantly adjoining frequencies between 3300MHz – 3670/ 3700 MHz are used for 5G.

“This has already played out in the UAE, Singapore, EU and the US where satellite reception has been adversely affected due to 5G roll out in the adjoining frequencies,” the letter mentioned, “as a consequence, there will be huge disruption in the cable and satellite industry and thousands of cable operators and millions of consumers stand to be affected.”

Officials from I&B Ministry advised the Indian Express, “The filters will surely be needed with the 5G rollout. It is incumbent upon the cable operators, MCOs and LCOs to acquire the filters and get them installed.” The ministry provides, “This may not be an immediate requirement but going forward, this will be required. Even Doordarshan will use the filters.”