ComReg ups scope for wireless providers

thebman

From rte:
http://www.rte.ie/business/2007/0515/comreg.html

The communications regulator has increased the maximum radius where wireless broadband providers can send a signal, in a bid to increase availability throughout Ireland.

ComReg says existing wireless broadband providers can now increase their service area to 20km. Up until now, providers could send a signal for 10km or 15km in each fixed wireless area frequency band.

ComReg said that by extending the service areas to 20km, many more people, particularly in rural areas, will get broadband access.
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ComReg also said it is in consultation with wireless broadband providers, to see how the current licence guidelines could be adjusted to ensure that areas not currently serviced, known as 'dead zones', would be covered.

ComReg first launched its wireless broadband scheme in November 2003, and since then it has issued over 214 fixed wireless access local area licences to 15 companies.

There are currently over 80,000 wireless broadband subscribers throughout Ireland.

TomGunn

By Finfacts Team
May 15, 2007, 15:56

Irish telco regulator ComReg, which launched its initial wireless broadband scheme in 2003 that promoted greater broadband competition and offered consumers greater choice in broadband provision, today has published new guidelines which will allow existing wireless broadband providers to increase their service area to 20km in each fixed wireless area frequency band.

ComReg believes that by extending the service areas within which operators can provide wireless broadband, many more people, particularly those living in rural areas, will now be able to get access to broadband. ComReg first launched its wireless broadband scheme in November 2003 and since then ComReg has issued over 214 FWALA (Fixed Wireless Access Local Area ) licences to 15 companies operating throughout the country. ComReg estimates that there are currently in excess of 80,000 wireless broadband subscribers throughout Ireland.



All FWALA licensees will be permitted to implement these changes immediately but will still be obliged to comply with the existing field strength contours to ensure there is no interference to adjacent licensees. ComReg is also seeking views of interested parties on its proposal for Geographical Service Areas.

ComReg believes that the introduction of a Geographical Service Area into the FWALA licensing scheme will allow FWALA licensees to provide services in areas that previously were considered ‘dead zones’. Over time, this could result in a greater availability of wireless broadband services throughout Ireland.

The consultation period will run from 15 May 2007 until 22 June 2007 during which the Commission welcomes written comments on any of the issues raised in the paper. The full paper ComReg 07/29 is available here.

Slaanesh

I got straight onto digiweb asking them would Kilmessan now be covered. I don't waste any time

damien

The donut rule is still in place though.

watty

There is a new consultation on areas enclosed by existing FWALA licences, too small for an other company.

This is not going to make very much difference today, as at 10km to 20km most people will not get a signal sufficient. Initially untill different user Radio sets (CPE) is available very few people will benefit.

In some cases it makes some customers already installed legal

Some of the deployed wireless systems can't even use up previous range.

However it is to be welcomed, as in reality virtually all of the previous "interference zone" could be used in some situations without creating interference.


Perhaps the "Doughnuts" will get eroded more by a later review. Some operators don't want the doughnuts gone.

A good change, but not a magic bullet.

oscarBravo

watty wrote:

This is not going to make very much difference today, as at 10km to 20km most people will not get a signal sufficient. Initially untill different user Radio sets (CPE) is available very few people will benefit.

You are aware that it's perfectly acceptable to install multiple base stations within a licence area, as long as the field strength limits are observed?

watty wrote:

However it is to be welcomed, as in reality virtually all of the previous "interference zone" could be used in some situations without creating interference.

Of course it could, as pointed out by several of the responses to the original consultation.

watty wrote:

Perhaps the "Doughnuts" will get eroded more by a later review. Some operators don't want the doughnuts gone.

I guess we should be grateful that each 3.5GHz licence now allows the use of 44% of its geographical area rather than the previous 25%.

watty wrote:

A good change, but not a magic bullet.

A minor change, and a long way short of what I'd hoped for.

watty

Yes. But extra base stations won't get installed this week, and some kinds are seriously expensive, power, backhaul etc. All takes time and money and only happens if a new base can have enough customers.

But oscarBravo, I'm telling Granny how to suck eggs.

I wonder who the naysayers were that wanted basically no change?


http://www.comreg.ie/_fileupload/publications/ComReg0729.pdf