With the end of the DTT migration process to release the 700 MHz band, which is included in the 5G auction, ANACOM, within its sphere of competence relative to spectrum management, initiated a series of prudential monitoring actions on 14 December 2020, with a view to the technical verification of the band in question at a countrywide level.
This prudential action started in Alto Minho and Trás-os-Montes, namely the districts of Bragança, Vila Real, Braga and Viana do Castelo, a geographic area representing 15% of the national territory and covering 12% of the population.
The zones being studied are, due to their orography and proximity to Spain, the most difficult to cover. Therefore, spectral analysis is important to ensure the inexistence of any harmful interference to the correct implementation of 5G at these locations and in this band.
This first stage involved the monitoring of around two hundred sites, traversing more than 2600 Km and the investment of 160 hours by 2 technical teams, covering district capitals, municipal seats and the remotest zones of our country, so as to make sure that the 694/790 MHz (700MHz) band is fully operational for use by the operators bidding in the 5G auction, irrespective of the geographic zone in question.
Figure 1 presents the readings of devices that measures signal energy levels in certain frequencies. This figure shows the signal levels (vertical axis) and the frequency band under review (horizontal axis). The green line indicates the instantaneous spectral values and the red line indicates the values maximised over a specific time span.
Figure 1 - Spectral view of the 700 MHz band without interfering signals
With a view to enhancing ANACOM's presence and proximity, this initiative is part of a series of planned actions aimed at achieving better recognition, reporting and resolution of the population's real problems in the areas concerning ANACOM. These regulation, monitoring and control mechanisms have been designed to improve the quality of essential services provided to the citizen. The provision of quality electronic communications services, that are increasingly complementary (and increasingly less substitutes) to an effective postal service, enables creating the conditions to strengthen and create more efficient and competitive economic activities, regardless of their geographic location.
This initiative of monitoring the band to be attributed to 5G, namely the 700 MHz band, will be continued over the following weeks and months in the rest of the mainland country and in the autonomous regions of the Azores Madeira, as well as through the use of the 18 national spectrum monitoring and control system (SINCRER – Integrated Remote Control System for Radio Stations).
