Plum has provided expert technical support to ComReg in relation to the future licensing and use of the 3.6 GHz band (3400 – 3800 MHz) in Ireland, following the expiry of existing rights of use for fixed wireless access local area (FWALA) licences in 2017. This included advising on the appropriate technical and other conditions to accompany the use of any future licences and the likely spectrum requirements.

The outcome from the studies was three separate reports that ComReg used to inform their consultation on the award of the 3.6 GHz band. The first part of the study was intended to inform the technical requirements for co-channel co-existence between Mobile/Fixed Communications Networks (MFCN) using the same frequency blocks in neighbouring areas (regional or into the UK) in the 3.6 GHz band (3400 – 3800 MHz).  This involved interference analysis for a wide range of deployments scenarios (including MFCN / FWALA, synchronised TDD / unsynchronised TDD / FDD, macro / micro / pico / femto base station networks and urban / rural environments.

The second part of the project considered the status of the 3.6 GHz market to inform likely rollout timescales. The third part used modelling to analyse likely spectrum requirements.

Following from the initial consultation, mentioned above, Plum analysed the responses received and updated, as necessary, the reports to reflect the inputs received from interested parties.  The two revised reports were published as part of the ComReg further Consultation and Decision that was issued in December (15/140).