Handbook On International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) : 2022 Edition

ITUPublications International Telecommunication Union
Radiocommunication Sector
Handbook
on International Mobile
Telecommunications (IMT)
2022 edition
Handbook
on
International Mobile
Edition of 2022
ITU-R
Handbook on International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) iii
Preface
Since the publication of the first edition of this Handbook in 2015, International Mobile Telecommunication
(IMT) technologies and applications have advanced so significantly that required the production of a new
edition of the Handbook. These developments culminated with the approval by Member States in 2021 of
Recommendation ITU-R M.2150 ‒ Detailed specifications of the radio interfaces of International Mobile
Telecommunications-2020 (IMT-2020), and its first revision in February 2022. IMT-2020 specifications for
the fifth generation of mobile communications (5G) will be the backbone of tomorrow's digital economy,
transforming lives and leading industry and society into the automated and intelligent world. 5G will enable
much faster data speeds, reliable connectivity, and low latency to international mobile telecommunications
(IMT) ‒ all needed for our new global communications ecosystem of connected devices sending vast amounts
of data via ultrafast broadband. The successful completion of the evaluation process and the release of this
global standard was a significant milestone for the global telecommunication industry and its users. 5G
technologies will further enrich the worldwide communications ecosystem, expand the range of innovative
applications, and support the burgeoning Internet of Things, including machine-to-machine communication
and other innovative applications.
In this new edition of the Handbook, the evolution of IMT applications and global IMT subscriber information
have been updated with the latest references including the results of the World Radiocommunication
Conference in 2019 (WRC-19) on the identification of frequency spectrum for IMT as reflected in the Radio
Regulations in force (Edition of 2020), and the most recent ITU-R Recommendations and Reports on IMT, in
particular those on IMT-2020.
Beside thanking the ITU-R experts who contributed to this document, I acknowledge the work of the Study
Group Department and that of Mr. Ferran Font Pons in particular, who in 2021 developed the first draft of this
new edition of the Handbook before we passed it to Working Party 5D for review and completion.
Mario Maniewicz
Director, ITU Radiocommunication Bureau
iv Handbook on International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)
Foreword
This International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Handbook on International Mobile Telecommunications

(IMT) is a success story of international cooperation amongst qualified and skilled experts in the field of
advanced mobile communications and regulations representing national regulatory agencies, mobile operators
and major players in the IMT industry.
Recognizing the rapid progress of IMT, this Handbook may not necessarily contain all aspects of the future
development of IMT. However it provides a useful guide to the main features of the current systems and the
evolution towards the future. The readers are encouraged to check the latest version of the Handbook’s
references.
We acknowledge with special thanks the helpful contribution to the discussions of all participants to ITU-R
Working Party 5D (WP 5D) and those who have provided useful elements such as data and system parameters
of existing IMT systems.
The development of this Handbook has also benefited from the numerous contributions by the participants in
the various ITU groups involved, in particular ITU-R WP5D (IMT systems), the group responsible for the
ongoing maintenance and updating of the information, which coordinated and reported the works currently
ongoing in other groups according to their area of responsibility: ITU-R WP4B (satellite aspects), ITU-T SG
13 (core network aspects), and ITU-D (developing countries aspects).
We believe that this Handbook, together with other ITU publications, will serve as practical tool to assist
Administrations and other stakeholders in their endeavours to further develop their IMT networks for the
provision of Mobile broadband services.
Handbook on International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) v
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Foreword .............................................................................................................................................. iv
1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Purpose and scope ............................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Vocabulary of key terms used in this Handbook ............................................................. 1
2 Usage evolution and service requirements ................................................................................. 2

2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Usage evolution ............................................................................................................... 2
2.3 Market directions ............................................................................................................. 6
2.4 Key features of IMT......................................................................................................... 10
2.5 Servicing urban, rural and remote areas ........................................................................... 11
2.6 Use of IMT for specific applications ............................................................................... 12
2.7 Considerations for developing countries.......................................................................... 14
3 IMT system characteristics, technologies and standards ............................................................ 16

3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 16
3.2 IMT system concepts and objectives ............................................................................... 16
3.3 IMT architecture and standards........................................................................................ 18
3.4 Techniques to facilitate roaming ...................................................................................... 41
4 IMT spectrum ............................................................................................................................. 42

4.1 International spectrum identified for IMT ....................................................................... 42
4.2 Frequency arrangements .................................................................................................. 43
4.3 Methods to Estimate spectrum requirements for IMT ..................................................... 43
5 Regulatory issues ....................................................................................................................... 45

5.1 Institutional aspects and arrangements ............................................................................ 45
5.2 Transparency and stakeholder involvement ..................................................................... 45
5.3 Market knowledge ........................................................................................................... 45
5.4 Spectrum licensing ........................................................................................................... 45
5.5 IMT spectrum clearing (including re-farming) guidelines............................................... 46
5.6 Global circulation of terminals ........................................................................................ 46
5.7 Unwanted emissions ........................................................................................................ 46
6 Steps to consider in the deployment of IMT systems ................................................................ 47

6.1 Key issues and questions to be considered prior to IMT network deployment ............... 47
6.2 Migration of existing wireless systems to IMT ............................................................... 47
6.3 Choice of technology in the identified IMT bands .......................................................... 52
vi Handbook on International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)
Page
6.4 Deployment planning ....................................................................................................... 53
7 Criteria leading to technology decisions .................................................................................... 54

7.1 Spectrum implications, channelization and bandwidth considerations ............................ 54
7.2 Importance of multi-mode/multi-band solutions ............................................................. 54
7.3 Technology development path ......................................................................................... 54
7.4 Backhaul considerations .................................................................................................. 54
7.5 Technology neutrality ...................................................................................................... 55
ANNEX A – Abbreviations, acronyms, interface and reference points ............................................... 57

A.1 Abbreviations and acronyms ............................................................................................ 57
A.2 Interface ........................................................................................................................... 61
A.3 Reference point ................................................................................................................ 62
ANNEX B – Reference publications .................................................................................................... 65

B.1 ITU publications .............................................................................................................. 65
B.2 External publications ....................................................................................................... 67
ANNEX C – Applications and services ............................................................................................... 69

C.1 Location based application and services .......................................................................... 69
ANNEX D – Description of wireless backhaul systems ...................................................................... 73
ANNEX E – Description of external organizations ............................................................................. 75

E.1 3GPP ................................................................................................................................ 75
E.2 3GPP2 .............................................................................................................................. 75
E.3 IEEE ................................................................................................................................. 75
ANNEX F – Published Recommendations, Reports and ongoing activities

of ITU-R on terrestrial IMT ....................................................................................................... 77
F.1 Overview of Recommendations and Reports of ITU-R related to terrestrial IMT .......... 77
F.2 Published Recommendations and Reports of ITU-R related to terrestrial IMT .............. 88
F.3 Work ongoing and underway in ITU-R WP5D ............................................................... 94
F.4 All list of ITU-R Recommendations and Reports on IMT .............................................. 94
ANNEX G – Technology migration in a given frequency band .......................................................... 95

G.1 Frequency resource assignments ...................................................................................... 95
G.2 Coexistence between GSM and IMT in the adjacent frequencies ................................... 98
G.3 Coexistence of various GSM/CDMA-MC/UMTS/LTE technologies in 850
and 900 MHz bands ......................................................................................................... 101
G.4 Coexistence studies from CEPT between GSM and other systems ................................. 103
Handbook on International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) 1
1 Introduction
This Handbook identifies International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) and provides the general
information such as service requirements, applications, system characteristics, and substantive information on
spectrum, regulatory issues, guideline for the evolution and migration, and core network evolution on IMT.
This Handbook also addresses a variety of issues related to the deployment of IMT systems.
1.1 Purpose and scope

The purpose and scope of this Handbook is to provide general guidance to ITU Members, network operators
and other relevant parties on issues related to the deployment of IMT systems to facilitate decisions on selection
of options and strategies for introduction of their IMT-2000, IMT-Advanced and IMT-2020 networks.
The Handbook focuses on the technical, operational and spectrum related aspects of IMT systems, including
information on the deployment and technical characteristics of IMT as well as the services and applications
supported by IMT.
This Handbook updates previous information on IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced. It also includes new
information on IMT-2020 from Recommendation ITU-R M.2150. In addition, the work from Report ITU-R
M.2243 – Assessment of the global mobile broadband deployments and forecasts for International Mobile
Telecommunications, is referenced regarding any future considerations that are identified. This Handbook has
been and will continue to be a collaborative effort involving groups in the three ITU Sectors with ITU-R
Working Party 5D (WP5D) assuming the lead, coordinating role and responsibility for developing text for the
terrestrial aspects; with ITU-R Working Party 4B responsible for the satellite aspects, ITU-T Study Group 13
responsible for the core network aspects and ITU-D responsible for the developing countries aspects.
Special attention has been given to needs of developing countries responding to the first part of
Question ITU-R 77/5 which decides that WP5D should continue to study the urgent needs of developing
countries for cost effective access to the global telecommunication networks.
1.2 Vocabulary of key terms used in this Handbook

Broadband Commission The Broadband Commission for Digital Development is composed of the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Commission
embraces a range of different perspectives in a multistakeholder approach to
promoting the roll-out of broadband, as well as providing a fresh approach to UN
and business engagement.
IMT International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT) encompasses IMT-2000,
IMT-Advanced and IMT-2020 collectively based on Resolution ITU-R 56
ITU International Telecommunication Union
ITU-R International Telecommunication Union – Radiocommunication Sector
ITU-T International Telecommunication Union – Telecommunication Standardization
Sector
ITU-D International Telecommunication Union – Telecommunication Development
Sector
3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project
3GPP2 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2
See also Annex A for a list of abbreviations, acronyms, interface and reference points.
2 Handbook on International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)
2 Usage evolution and service requirements
2.1 Introduction
In order to understand current directions in IMT, it is important to consider and understand how mobile
broadband is being used and for what purposes (including key features of IMT technologies), and any special
requirements of developing countries. Together, these topics provide a foundation upon which to build a
stronger understanding of the topics discussed in subsequent sections of this Handbook. The following sections
discuss applications (such as mobile Internet usage, video traffic, social networks, and machine-to-machine
traffic); market evolution in traffic and devices; key features of each iteration of IMT technologies; the use of
IMT to serve urban, rural and remote areas; and considerations for developing countries, such as barriers to
access.
2.2 Usage evolution
2.2.1 Mobile Internet usage
Mobile Internet usage has been growing rapidly on a worldwide basis over the past years. While the state of
mobile Internet usage can be measured in several ways, the growth – and projected growth – is perhaps most
striking when considering mobile data traffic volumes and data speeds.
Ericsson, for example, has quantified the total mobile network traffic to 58 EB per month at the end of 2020.
The total mobile network traffic is forecast to exceed 300 EB per month in 20261. Adding some perspective to
that figure, the authors noted that the increase in mobile data traffic from the second quarter of 2013 to the
third quarter exceeded the total monthly mobile data traffic estimated in the fourth quarter of 2009. In the latest
one-year period of Ericsson’s analysis, mobile data traffic grew by approximately 80 percent1.
In another comparison, the Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA) noted that more mobile traffic was
generated in 2012 than in all other years combined2. Looking ahead, mobile devices are expected to continue
to outpace other sources of Internet usage. For example, when considering the sources of IP traffic over the
world’s telecommunications networks3 Cisco forecasted that the number of devices connected to IP networks
will be more than three times the global population by 2023. There will be 3.6 networked devices per capita
by 2023, up from 2.4 networked devices per capita in 20183.
Globally, the total number of Internet users is projected to grow from 3.9 billion in 2018 to 5.3 billion by 2023
at a CAGR of 6 percent. In terms of population, this represents 51 percent of the global population in 2018 and
66 percent of global population penetration by 2023. This rate would be three times faster than fixed traffic
over the same period. Smartphone technology and adoption have progressed rapidly in the last several years,
providing users with robust, mobile access to broadband services, and comprising the category that will likely
make up the bulk of mobile broadband subscriber devices.
1 Ericsson, Ericsson Mobility Report (2021), available at

https://www.ericsson.com/en/mobility-report/reports/june-2021
2 GSMA, The Mobile Economy 2021, available at https://www.gsma.com/mobileeconomy/wp-
content/uploads/2021/07/GSMA_MobileEconomy2021_3.pdf
3 Cisco, Cisco Annual Internet Report (2018–2023), available at
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/executive-perspectives/annual-internet-report/index.html
According to Ericsson’s most recent analysis, smartphones accounted for approximately 55 percent of all
mobile handsets sold in the third quarter of 2013, while they made up approximately 40 percent of all handsets
sold in all of 20124. The analysis also indicated that there is significant room for additional growth, with only
25 to 30 percent of mobile phone subscriptions associated with smartphones.
There will be an additional 1.6 billion smartphone connections by 2025, bringing the overall adoption level to
over 80% of total mobile connections.
One analysis indicated that while approximately 5 percent of smartphones were LTE-enabled in July 2011, by
August 2013, more than 30 percent could take advantage of LTE networks 5. Along with the growth in
smartphones, the speed of mobile connectivity continues to increase across the world as well as networks and
devices implement the latest technologies, such as LTE. Cisco noted that the average mobile network
connection speed was 13.2 Mbit/s in 2018 and will be 43.9 Mbit/s by 2023. There are around 8 billion mobile
subscriptions. The analysis estimated that this figure will increase to 8.8 billion by the end of 2026, of which
91 percent will be for mobile broadband Average smartphone data rates are forecast to triple by 2017, reaching
6.5 Mbit/s6. There is anecdotal evidence to support the idea that usage increases when speed increases,
although there may be a delay between the increase in network and device speed and the resultant increased
usage, potentially a lag of several years.
2.2.2 Mobile software application offerings (Apps)
A key driver of mobile data usage has been the rapid proliferation of software applications, commonly known
as “apps”, for use on smartphones and other mobile devices (see also Annex C for examples of applications
and communication services). Taking into consideration the two largest app ecosystems, there were
approximately 900 000 apps available for iOS (the operating system that powers Apple’s iPhone, iPad and
iPod devices) and approximately 800 000 apps available for Android (the operating system for a wide range
of mobile handsets and tablet devices). There is likely substantial overlap between the ecosystems, with many
developers releasing applications for both operating systems in order to reach the largest potential customer
bases. Both ecosystems have seen fairly steady growth in recent years, although the rate of growth for Android
applications has increased recently. Application download estimates vary widely.
ABI Research estimated that there would be a total of 56 billion smartphone apps downloaded in 2013
(including not just iOS and Android, but also Windows Phone and Blackberry), while Portio Research
estimated that 82 billion apps would be downloaded worldwide in 2013. Regardless of the exact number, it is
worth noting that this mobile app downloads are a relatively new phenomenon, having begun in earnest with
the launch of Apple’s App Store in 2008.
Similarly, the number of apps downloaded has increased rapidly. For example in 2010, an estimated five billion
iOS apps and 289,000 Android apps were downloaded, as compared to an estimated 48 billion iOS apps and
50 billion Android apps in early 2013. Applications are generally grouped into certain categories, with analysts
parsing network traffic to identify the amount of traffic generated by each group, as well as to forecast future
traffic patterns. In particular, Ericsson expected that video content would continue to drive mobile data usage,
representing more than 50 percent of traffic by 2019.
4 Ericsson, Ericsson Mobility Report (2021), available at https://www.ericsson.com/en/mobility-

report/reports/june-2021
5 Global Mobile Suppliers Association, “LTE: user device segmentation: 2011-2013” (2013), available at
https://gsacom.com/paper/lte-user-devices/ .
6 Cisco, Cisco Annual Internet Report, available at https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/executive-
perspectives/annual-internet-report/index.html
As mobile network speeds and capacity continue to increase, mobile software applications are expanding to
take advantage of both. A GSMA and A.T. Kearny analysis forecasted that mobile data traffic would grow at
a CAGR of 66 percent between 2012 and 2017, reaching a monthly rate of 11 156 petabytes7. The GSMA
analysis predicted that several services would experience CAGR of more than 30 percent over the 2012-2017
period: VoIP (34 percent), gaming (62 percent), M2M (89 percent), file sharing (34 percent), data (55 percent)
as well as video (75 percent). The following sections examine some of these important drivers in more detail.
2.2.3 Video traffic
As noted in section 2.2.1, mobile data traffic has been growing at a rapid pace, and is expected to continue to
do so. The major driver of this growth is expected to be mobile video, which has been predicted to account for
more than 7 000 petabytes of monthly data traffic by 20177. Ericsson forecasted that mobile video traffic will
increase at an average annual rate of 55 percent through 2019 Video traffic currently accounts for 66 percent
of all mobile data traffic, a share that is forecast to increase to 77 percent in 20268.
As a result, according to one analysis, as many as 41 percent of people between the ages of 65 and 69 stream
video content over fixed or mobile networks on at least a weekly basis 9. One possible development that may
drive additional mobile video traffic is gaming. While currently, the data traffic volumes and speed
requirements of many single or multi-player games available on mobile devices are relatively low, there is
some expectation that this situation will change in the future9. As more games adopt elements such as multi-
player features, high-definition content and video streaming, gaming may become a more important driver of
video traffic.
2.2.4 Social networks on mobile
Back in 2013, social networking was estimated to account for approximately 10 percent of total mobile data
traffic9. Ericsson further estimated that this share would remain constant through 2019, although social
networking usage would increasingly include more data-rich content, such as photographs and video9. When
considering how people use their mobile devices, social networking was already the second-largest generator
of data traffic volume. Between 2012 and 2013, Ericsson noted an increase in the percentage of social
networking traffic on smartphones9.
Importantly, the use of mobile handsets for social networking far exceeds such use on tablets and laptops,
where the percentage of mobile data traffic generated by social networking is below five percent, as shown in
Figure 1.
7 GSMA, The Mobile Economy 2021, available at https://www.gsma.com/mobileeconomy/wp-

content/uploads/2021/07/GSMA_MobileEconomy2021_3.pdf
8 Ericsson, Ericsson Mobility Report (2021), available at https://www.ericsson.com/en/mobility-
report/reports/june-2021 .
9 Ericsson, Ericsson Mobility Report: On the Pulse of the Networked Society (2013) at 15, available at
http://www.ericsson.com/res/docs/2013/ericsson-mobility-report-november-2013.pdf.
FIGURE 1
Application mobile data traffic volumes by device type (2013)
Considering how smartphone users spend time on their devices, Google data from 41 countries indicated that
more than half of all smartphone users use social networking at least monthly, and more than 25 percent do so
daily10. In 27 of those countries, more than 75 percent of smartphone users access social networks at least
monthly. An Ericsson analysis showed that social networking is the most popular activity among iOS and
Android smartphone users in the United States of America, accounting for 13.1 hours per month 11. The next
most popular smartphone use in this analysis was entertainment, which was responsible for 8.5 hours of use
per month.
2.2.5 Machine-to-machine traffic

As mobile network coverage and capacity has expanded, and the cost of embedding connectivity into various
types of equipment has declined, the number of Internet-connected devices has grown rapidly. Many of these
devices are expected to continuously monitor some sort of situation or status, report information to users,
and/or communicate with each other. Depending on the definition used, M2M communications can include a
wide range of devices, such as remote sensors, “smart” electricity grids, Internet-connected appliances and
automobiles, and manufacturing equipment, just to name a few.
M2M connections will be half of the global connected devices and connections by 2023. The share of Machine-
To-Machine (M2M) connections will grow from 33 percent in 2018 to 50 percent by 2023. There will be
14.7 billion M2M connections by 202312.
Within the M2M connections category (which is also referred to as IoT), connected home applications will
have the largest share, and connected car will be the fastest growing application type. Connected home
applications will have nearly half or 48 percent of M2M share by 2023 and connected car applications will
grow the fastest at 30 percent CAGR over the forecast period (2018-2023).
10 Google, “Our Mobile Planet”, available at http://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/mobileplanet/en/

11 Ericsson, Ericsson Mobility Report (June 2021), available at
https://www.ericsson.com/en/mobility-report/reports/june-2021
12 Cisco Annual Internet Report (2018–2023) White Paper, available at
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/executive-perspectives/annual-internet-report/index.html
2.2.6 Other drivers of future data traffic

Back in 2011, the demand for mobile cloud services was expected to grow exponentially since the users are
increasingly adopting more services that are required to be accessible. The consequence is that the volume of
mobile content they generate cumulatively grows. Multimedia services captured on mobile devices will
overwhelmingly carry the greatest cloud computing and storage demand and since then, the average size of
these media files grew substantially as camera pixel resolution continues to increase (ARC Chart13 predicted
that mobile-generated content will consume 9 400 PB of cloud services by 2015).
Furthermore, cloud services are getting a lot of attention since, among other benefits, they save costs for
enterprises. These cloud services require guaranteed data communication between the clients and the
connected data centres hosting IT servers. As the number of mobile users connecting through the mobile
network to the cloud increase, the mobile data traffic will continuously grow.
As mobile software applications advance due to increasing processing power, mobile data traffic is expected
to increase14.
The cloud architecture is a relevant evolution of the provisioning of digital services and applications that has
to be considered when planning for the evolution of IMT technologies. Economic underpinnings of all these
technological developments is the ability to move data across borders to facilitate a number of key functions
such as; communication, information, content, e-commerce, M2M, etc. But even more the realities behind the
productions of mentioned functions e.g. the presence of global value chains must be recognized. This means
that in the B2B market, today’s complex ICT systems that are required to realize these new technologies and
functions rely on the ability of companies to develop, produce, integrate, manage and support these systems
from multiple territories and hence the ability to collaborate and exchange data across territories is absolutely
essential.
2.3 Market directions
2.3.1 Global IMT subscriber information from 2020 to 2026

According to the ITU, the number of active mobile-broadband subscriptions stood at 75 per 100 inhabitants in
2020.15
The number of active mobilebroadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants continues to grow strongly, with an
18.4 per cent year-on-year growth. Eventhough, annual growth has been slowing down gradually since 2017,
and 2020 coverage is only 1.3 percentage points higher than 2019.
The ITU also noted in 2013 that the number of mobile broadband subscriptions in developing countries had
more than doubled since 2011, from 472 million to 1.16 billion, surpassing the number of subscriptions in
developed countries16.
There is still a substantial penetration gap between the developed and developing countries, however.
According to the ITU, there is 122 active mobile-broadband subscriptions of every 100 developed country
inhabitants, as compared to 75 of every 100 inhabitants in developing countries15.
13 ARC Chart Research Report on the mobile cloud: Market analysis and forecasts, June 2011.
14 Report ITU-R M.2243 – Assessment of the global mobile broadband deployments and forecasts for
International Mobile Telecommunications, section 3.10.
15 ITU, “Measuring digital development: Facts and Figures ” (2020), available at
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Documents/facts/FactsFigures2020.pdf
16 ITU, “Measuring digital development: Facts and Figures ” (2020), available at
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Documents/facts/FactsFigures2019_r1.pdf
As noted by the Broadband Commission in its 2013 Report, The State of Broadband 2013: Universalizing
Broadband, mobile broadband subscriptions surpassed fixed broadband subscriptions in 2008, and have shown
an annual growth rate of approximately 30 percent17. That classifies mobile broadband as having, according
to the Broadband Commission, the highest growth rate of any ICT, exceeding fixed broadband subscriptions
by a ratio of 3:1 (up from 2:1 in 2010).
When considering the growth of IMT subscriptions, rapid growth is expected over the next several years.
Ericsson data, illustrated in Figure 2, indicated that the majority of subscripitions were LTE devices in North
America and Western Europe in 2013, while the majority of mobile subscriptions will be comprised between
LTE and 5G18 devices in all regions of the world by 202619.
FIGURE 2
Mobile subscriptions by region and technology, 2020 and 2026
2.3.2 Device type

As mobile broadband connectivity continues to spread and also to increase its capacity and speeds, a growing
number of device types have been developed to serve differing user needs. When considering devices
supporting 5G, for example, the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) announced that the number of
5G devices has continued to grow, reaching 873, an increase of 24.2% over the first quarter of 2021. Of these
announced 5G devices, 63.8% are understood to be commercially available. The number of commercial 5G
devices has grown by 29.2% over the last quarter, to reach 557 commercial 5G devices20. Tablets, personal
hotspots and routers are also fast-growing segments of the device ecosystem.
17 Broadband Commission, The State of Broadband: Tackling Digital Inequalities (2020), available at
https://www.broadbandcommission.org/publication/the-state-of-broadband-2020/
18 This Handbook includes the terms 3G, 4G and 5G commonly used by the industry to refer to IMT-2000,
IMT-Advanced and IMT-2020, respectively.
https://www.ericsson.com/4a03c2/assets/local/reports-papers/mobility-report/documents/2021/june-2021-
ericsson-mobility-report.pdf
20 Global Mobile Suppliers Association, 5G Devices: Executive Summary – July 2021, available at
https://gsacom.com/reports/GSA-5G-Device-Ecosystem-ES-July-2021.pdf
According to GSMA, by the end of 2020, 5.2 billion people subscribed to mobile services, representing 67%
of the global population. Adding new subscribers is increasingly difficult, as markets are becoming saturated
and the economics of reaching rural populations are becoming more difficult to justify in a challenging
financial climate for mobile operators. That said, their analysis estimated thatthere will be nearly half a billion
new subscribers by 2025, taking the total number of subscribers to 5.7 billion (70% of the global population)21.
The growth in smartphone subscriptions was forecast to come primarily as users exchange their basic phones
for smartphones in Africa, Asia and the Middle East over the next several years, due in part to the availability
of lower-cost devices. Laptops, tablets and mobile router subscriptions were expected to continue to grow as
well, from 300 million in 2013 to 800 million in 2019. Ericsson also predicted significant regional differences,
with smartphones comprising almost all handsets sold in Western Europe and North America in 2019,
compared to 50 percent of handset subscriptions in the Middle East and Africa22.
2.3.3 Network and user experience improvement

As mobile data traffic demand continues to grow, mobile network operators are spending heavily to upgrade
their networks in order to increase their capacity and improve the user experience. One analysis estimated that
operators would spend USD 8.7 billion on LTE network upgrades alone in 2012, rising to USD 24 billion in
2013 and USD 36 billion by 2015.23
One of the most commonly considered measures of user experience is average mobile network speed.
According to Cisco back in 2014, speeds increase across all regions and all device types between then and
201724. Globally, the average mobile network connection speed in 2012 was 526 kbit/s. This average was
expected to grow at a CAGR of 49 percent, and to exceed 3.9 Mbit/s in 2017.
21 GSMA, The Mobile Economy 2021, available at

http://www.gsmamobileeconomy.com/GSMA_Global_Mobile_Economy_Report_2021.pdf
https://www.ericsson.com/4a03c2/assets/local/reports-papers/mobility-report/documents/2021/june-2021-
ericsson-mobility-report.pdf
23 IHS, LTE Expected to Dominate Wireless Infrastructure Spending by 2013 (January 2012).
24 Cisco, The Zettabyte Era – Trends and Analysis (2014), available at
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/service-provider/visual-networking-index-
vni/VNI_Hyperconnectivity_WP.html
Across all regions, Cisco estimated that average mobile data speeds increase at a CAGR of at least 36 percent
through 2017, with the Middle East and Africa increasing at a CAGR of 68 percent.
IMT technology has become widespread in global mobile networks. With the commercialization of LTE
technology in recent years, operators are rapidly moving to upgrade their networks. By the end of 2026, 5G
will account for 40.8% of the global market (at 4.62 billion subscriptions), although LTE will still represent
the biggest share of the market at 46.8% of all global mobile subscriptions.
The evolution of IMT systems has continuously increased the data rates available to mobile broadband users.
Technologies have continued to increase peak data speeds with each iteration and new technology.
Advances in technology alone, however, sometimes cannot support the rapid growth rates that are being seen
in mobile data use. This is particularly true in urban areas around the world. Thus, operators and regulators
worldwide are trying to make additional spectrum available for mobile broadband, particularly by making new
bands of spectrum available. For example, the transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting can
result in a “digital dividend” of spectrum that was formerly used for broadcasting but that now can be made
available for other uses. Most countries around the world have either started a process to make that spectrum
available for mobile broadband or are planning to do so. The majority of such transitions are expected to be
completed in the next ten years.
2.3.4 Policy initiatives to promote mobile broadband

Governments and multilateral organizations are taking a variety of approaches to promote mobile broadband
such as the development of National Broadband Plan. While each country faces unique challenges to increasing
mobile broadband adoption, certain general approaches can be applied in many cases. Mobile broadband
initiatives are often developed as subsets of plans intended to increase broadband adoption more generally. As
such, policy approaches that may improve mobile broadband adoption may closely track those approaches
employed to increase fixed broadband adoption.
In other cases, as in many developing countries, mobile broadband is the primary (or only) broadband option
available to many individuals and communities. Policy approaches intended to increase mobile broadband
supply can include:
– setting concrete, measurable objectives for improving the supply of broadband through
infrastructure build-out, including deployment of and upgrades to mobile networks;
– ensuring availability and efficient use of spectrum for mobile services, including flexible
spectrum use;
– ensuring competitive, efficient and transparent markets;
– ensuring equitable access to broadband for all; and
– encouraging investment in mobile networks, services and applications.
One of these approaches is to promote the deployment of mobile networks operating in frequency bands below
1 GHz, as the main solution to facilitate provision of broadband mobile services in unserved areas.
Policy approaches intended to increase demand for mobile broadband can include:
– promoting demand for broadband services and applications;
– considering if there is a need for, and an appropriate mechanism to deliver, subsidies for devices
and/or service fees, perhaps through a universal access or universal service program;
– making useful information and services available to mobile device users (e.g. m-government,
m-health, m-banking); and
– educating users and potential users on the benefits of mobile broadband-enabled services.
The Broadband Commission, while not focusing on mobile broadband specifically, recently proposed policy
approaches intended to improve access to broadband that are applicable to the mobile sector. For example, the
Commission’s 2013 report, as part of its goal of universalizing broadband, suggested establishing adequate
spectrum policies and reasonable spectrum allocations, as well as ensuring stable legal and regulatory
frameworks to foster and incentivize investments, and creating an environment for sustainable competition 25.
In the same discussion, the report noted the importance of establishing a national broadband plan to guide
broadband development. Among the other Broadband Commission policy recommendations applicable
to mobile services are to focus on making broadband affordable and to improve penetration, which will go
hand-in-hand.
The first Broadband Commission report, A 2010 Leadership Imperative: The Future Built on Broadband, noted
among its recommendations the need for national policy objectives to include the provision of broadband-
enabled services and applications for vulnerable, disadvantaged and remote populations, among others.26
Particularly with respect to remote populations, mobile technology provides a key means – and perhaps the
only economically feasible means – by which to reach these groups.
2.4 Key features of IMT
2.4.1 Key features of IMT-2000

Key features of IMT-2000 are:
– high degree of commonality of design worldwide;
– compatibility of services within IMT-2000 and with the fixed networks;
– high quality;
– small terminal for worldwide use;
– worldwide roaming capability;
– capability for multimedia applications, and a wide range of services and terminals.
Recommendation ITU-R M.1457 identifies the IMT-2000 terrestrial radio interface specifications. These radio
interfaces support the features and design parameters of IMT-2000, including the above mentioned features,
such as capability to ensure worldwide compatibility, international roaming, and access to high-speed data
services.
2.4.2 Key features of IMT-Advanced

Key features of IMT-Advanced are:
– high degree of commonality of functionality worldwide while retaining the flexibility to support
a wide range of services and applications in a cost-efficient manner;
– compatibility of services within IMT and with fixed networks;
– capability of interworking with other radio access systems;
– high-quality mobile services;
– user equipment suitable for worldwide use;
– user-friendly applications, services and equipment;
– enhanced peak data rates to support advanced services and applications (100 Mbit/s for high and
1 Gbit/s for low mobility)27.
These features enable IMT-Advanced to address evolving user needs.
25 Broadband Commission, The State of Broadband 2013: Universalizing Broadband (2013), available at
http://www.broadbandcommission.org/Documents/bb-annualreport2013.pdf
26 Broadband Commission, A 2010 Leadership Imperative: The Future Built on Broadband (2010), available
at http://www.broadbandcommission.org/Documents/publications/Report_1.pdf
27 Data rates sourced from Recommendation ITU-R M.1645.
Recommendation ITU-R M.2012 identifies the terrestrial radio interface technologies of IMT-Advanced and
provides the detailed radio interface specifications. These radio interface specifications detail the features and
parameters of IMT-Advanced, including the above mentioned features, such as the capability to ensure
worldwide compatibility, international roaming, and access to high-speed data services.
2.4.3 Key features of IMT-2020

Key features of IMT-2020 are:
– compatibility of services within IMT and with fixed networks;
– capability of interworking with other radio access systems;
– high-quality mobile services;
– low to high mobility applications;
– machine type communications;
– ultra-reliable and low latency communications;
– high-quality multimedia applications.
Recommendation ITU-R M.2150 identifies and provides the detailed specifications of the radio interfaces for
the terrestrial component of IMT-2020 and provides the detailed radio interface specifications. These radio
interface specifications detail the feature and parameters of IMT-2020, including the above mentioned features,
such as worldwide compatibility, international roaming, and access to the services under diverse usage
scenarios, including enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC)
and ultrareliable and low latency communications (URLLC).
2.4.3.1 Usage scenarions for IMT-2020 and beyond

IMT-2020 and beyond is envisaged to expand and support diverse usage scenarios and applications that will
continue beyond the current IMT. Furthermore, a broad variety of capabilities would be tightly coupled with
these intended different usage scenarios and applications for IMT-2020 and beyond. The usage scenarios for
IMT-2020 and beyond include:
– Enhanced Mobile Broadband: Mobile Broadband addresses the human-centric use cases for
access to multimedia content, services and data. The demand for mobile broadband will continue
to increase, leading to eMBB. The eMBB usage scenario will come with new application areas
and requirements in addition to existing Mobile Broadband applications for improved
performance and an increasingly seamless user experience. This usage scenario covers a range of
cases, including wide-area coverage and hotspot, which have different requirements. For the
hotspot case, i.e. for an area with high user density, very high traffic capacity is needed, while the
requirement for mobility is low and user data rate is higher than that of wide area coverage. For
the wide area coverage case, seamless coverage and medium to high mobility are desired, with
much improved user data rate compared to existing data rates. However, the data rate requirement
may be relaxed compared to hotspot.
– Ultra-reliable and low latency communications: This use case has stringent requirements for
capabilities such as throughput, latency and availability. Some examples include wireless control
of industrial manufacturing or production processes, remote medical surgery, distribution
automation in a smart grid, transportation safety, among others.
– Massive machine type communications: This use case is characterized by a very large number of
connected devices typically transmitting a relatively low volume of non-delaysensitive data.
Devices are required to be low cost, and have a very long battery life.
2.5 Servicing urban, rural and remote areas

A number of Mobile Broadband (MBB) systems and applications, based on different standards, are available
and the suitability of each depends on usage (fixed vs. nomadic/mobile), and performance and geographic
requirements, among others. In countries where wired infrastructure is not well established, MBB systems can
be more easily deployed to deliver services to population bases in dense urban environments as well as those
in more remote areas. Some users may only require broadband Internet access for short-ranges whereas other
users may require broadband access over longer distances. Moreover, these same users may require that their
MBB applications be nomadic, mobile, fixed or a combination of all three.
In sum, there are a number of multi-access solutions, and the choice of which to implement will depend on the
interplay of requirements, the use of various technologies to meet these requirements, the availability of
spectrum (licensed vs. unlicensed), and the scale of network required for the delivery of MBB applications and
services (local vs. metropolitan area networks)28.
2.5.1 Fixed wireless access (FWA) in the mobile service

As technology has improved, operators have been turning to mobile networks to deliver residential and
business broadband services. GSA has undertaken a study to determine the extent and nature of fixed wireless
access broadband service availability based on LTE or 5G technologies around the world29.
Operators worldwide are investing in fixed wireless access (FWA) in the form of lab trials, acquisition of
licences, field-based pilot projects, network deployments, or commercial service launches. GSA estimates
there are at least 460 operators investing in FWA based on LTE or 5G. Of those, GSA has identified available
service offers for FWA using LTE or 5G from 436 operators in 171 countries/territories; that equates to more
than half of all operators with commercial LTE or 5G networks worldwide. As a result, by 2030 it is expected
that 5G FWA subscriptions to approach 130 million with annual revenues of USD 53 billion.
5G Americas has published a white paper entitled “Fixed Wireless Access with 5G Networks”, which details
how FWA might impact the broadband market with attractive opportunities for 5G based residential service
in both urban and rural geographies30.
5G FWA can eliminate the need for costly deployment of fixed access infrastructure while also offering
significant peak download and upload rates. As 5G networks evolve, FWA solutions are expected to achieve
massive scale, with 10 to 100 times more capacity than 4G networks. Additionally, the white paper provides
deployment considerations for mobile operators regarding spectrum availability of low, mid and mmWave
band spectrum. It describes how physical location, small cell siting and other considerations can impact FWA
and how capacity, product speeds, 5G New Radio technologies involving beamforming and high order
modulation and customer premise equipment strategy will play a vital role in its rollout to customers.
2.6 Use of IMT for specific applications

In this Handbook, the use of IMT for specific applications is considered. Some other applications can be
considered in the future if appropriate.
2.6.1 Use of IMT for PPDR applications

Report ITU-R M.2291 addresses the current and possible future use of international mobile
telecommunications (IMT) including the use of long term evolution (LTE) in support of broadband PPDR
communications as outlined in relevant ITU-R Resolutions, Recommendations and Reports. The Report
further provides examples for deploying IMT for PPDR radiocommunications, case studies and scenarios of
IMT systems to support broadband PPDR applications such as data and video. PPDR is defined in
Resolution 646 (Rev.WRC-19) through a combination of the terms ‘public protection radiocommunication’
and ‘disaster relief radiocommunication’. The first term refers to “radiocommunications used by responsible
agencies and organizations dealing with maintenance of law and order, protection of life and property and
28 LMH-BWA.
29 Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), FWA Global Status Update – June 2021, available at
https://gsacom.com/paper/fwa-global-status-update-june-2021/
30 5G Americas, “Fixed Wireless Access with 5G Networks”, November 2021, available at:
https://www.5gamericas.org/fixed-wireless-access-with-5g-networks/
emergency situations”. The second term refers to “radiocommunications used by agencies and organizations
dealing with a serious disruption of the functioning of society, posing a significant widespread threat to human
life, health, property or the environment, whether caused by accident, natural phenomena or human activity,
and whether developing suddenly or as a result of complex, long-term processes”. A number of studies of
PPDR radiocommunications have been carried out within the ITU, based on Resolution 646 (Rev.WRC-19)
and Report ITU-R M.2377.
2.6.2 Use of IMT for MTC applications

Report ITU-R M.2440 addresses the technical and operational aspects of terrestrial IMT-based radio networks
and systems supporting machine type communication (MTC) applications, as well as spectrum needed,
including possible harmonized use of spectrum to support the implementation of narrowband and broadband
MTC infrastructure and devices.
Globally, the importance of developing reliable and cost effective MTC solutions for various industries is
increasing on a daily basis. Examples of these solutions include smart energy management, agriculture, water
management, waste management, health, transportation and utilities that may have a direct impact on social
and economic development.
MTC has wide range of narrowband and broadband applications based on each use case. Some use cases of
broadband MTC include sensors (including health monitoring as an example), actuators and cameras with a
wide range of characteristics and demands. Several use cases for MTC require a narrowband connection as
well as wide coverage area and low power consumption.
2.6.3 Use of IMT for audio-visual services

Report ITU-R M.2373 ‒ Audio-visual capabilities and applications supported by terrestrial IMT systems,
examines the capabilities of IMT systems to deliver audio-visual services to consumers. A IMT is expected to
complement traditional broadcasting systems (cable, satellite or terrestrial delivery) or other broadband
services (fixed internet access or RLAN) to satisfy consumer demand for audio-visual services, in particular
with respect to personalization, portability, easy to use, and mobility.
Today, audio-visual services over IMT (for both linear and on-demand audio-visual content) represent a small
percentage of total audio-visual content consumption; however, it is expected that audio-visual over IMT will
increase in the future and that it will be the major traffic contributor in IMT networks. Offering audio-visual
services over IMT already contributes to national safety and security, economies and social development by
enabling a range of applications, such as social media, distance learning, health and entertainment. Furthermore
it could further contribute to the reduction of the digital divide between urban areas and rural areas or certain
underserved communities. Socio-economic demands are already driving requirements for access to audio-
visual services and applications, for users to experience similar quality of experience (QoE), including
coverage and data rates in rural and urban areas.
2.6.4 Vertical industries

Verticals are defined as companies, industries and public sector organisations operating in a specific sector.
Vertical industries have long relied on various wireless technologies and spectrum bands to support their
connectivity needs.
However, the requirements of vertical networks are evolving – most notably from voice to high-speed data.
Some verticals want networks that support low power wide area IoT for connecting smart meters and sensors,
while others want networks that support very low latencies for advanced manufacturing including robotics.
The importance of connectivity has created pressures for wide area coverage (e.g. utilities) and/or highly
localised connectivity (e.g. manufacturing plants) as well as high levels of reliability including for safety of
life applications (e.g. emergency services, hospitals, etc).
Given the needs of different verticals, there have been efforts to categorise complementary scenarios and
specific applications in order to asses the network and spectrum requirements.
2.6.5 Use of IMT for transport applications
Report ITU-R M.2441 ‒ Emerging usage of the terrestrial component of International Mobile
Telecommunication (IMT), provides information on various use cases and specific applications such as:
• Transportation applications such as Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), railways or high speed
train communication and bus/fleet traffic management
• Utilities such as smart grids and water management
• Industrial automation applications such as motion control, mobile control panels with safety
functions, mobile robots, massive wireless sensor networks, remote access and maintenance,
augmented reality, process automation, flexible, modular assembly area, “Plug and produce” for
field devices
• Applications for Remote control of machines such as for high-quality communication links,
mining applications, construction sites, harbours
• Surveying and inspection in oil and gas fields and electricity distribution
• Electricity
• Healthcare applications such as remote surgery and clinical wearables
• Mobile health applications
ITU-R WP5D is also developing a new Report on use of IMT-2020 for various industrial, enterprise and
societal applications.
2.7 Considerations for developing countries
IMT and mobile phones have long surpassed fixed connections in most developing countries, and many
broadband services in developing countries are being delivered by IMT. For some people in developing
countries, their first and only access to the Internet will be via an IMT device.
Such connectivity, combined with affordable IMT smart phones, provides opportunities to empower
individuals across society. For example, with IMT devices, doctors are remotely monitoring cardiac patients
in rural villages; farmers are accessing weather information and sales prices to increase their income and
improve their standard of living; women entrepreneurs are lifting themselves out of poverty by harnessing the
economic benefits of wireless to start businesses and access banking services; and children everywhere can
access educational content in and out of the classroom, 24 hours a day. While we are seeing tremendous
benefits in key areas such as education, healthcare and commerce, more needs to be done in many social areas
to support development agenda. The IMT smart phone is the most largely implemented technological platform
in history, and its potential to significantly improve people’s lives is just starting to be realized.
Advantages of M2M (Machine-to-machine) applications and IOT (Internet of things) enabled through IMT
networks can also help developing countries bridge the digital divide.
The 2013 Annual Broadband Commission Report (Table 3, Source: Inter-American Development Bank)
contains a list of special requirements/barriers faced by developing countries and offers examples of strategies
to overcome such barriers.
Barriers to access and public policies to overcome barriers
Barrier/obstacle Examples of strategies to overcome the barriers

1 Low levels of purchasing power in • Subsidies to the benefit of end-users, to ensure broadband adoption, once
certain rural and sub-urban areas access is secured
• Discounted offers from operators to end-users
• Telecentres for shared use to kick- start broadband markets
• Public-private partnerships (PPPs)
2 Limited financial resources available • Policy-makers should work with operators, depending on local needs and
via some USFs government funding, to ensure USF is properly sourced and effective
• Support (e.g. from international agencies) for ad-hoc projects
• Priority given to UAS projects based on strict and clear criteria
3 The low levels of ICT skills of some • ICT training
of the population • Connecting up educational establishments
• ICT lessons in schools and universities, and
• ICT equipment furnished at low or no cost
4 The lack of basic commodities • Telecentres open to the public where access to commodities is guaranteed
(water, electricity, etc.) • Wi-Fi access in public spaces where access to commodities is guaranteed
5 The limited availability of consumer • Distribution of equipment directly, or subsidies for consumer electronic
electronic equipment equipment by poor households
• Review import duty regimes to ensure they are effective
• Equipment approval (supply) policies should not be too onerous or
restrictive
6 High tax rates on telecom services • Targeted tax and import duty reductions on broadband services and
or equipment devices, including removal of luxury taxes
7 Lack of infrastructure/ high costs of • National broadband plan, including roll-out of a mutualized national
deployment backbone, as well as in-building infrastructure
• Grants to operators to build out infrastructure
• Sharing of infrastructure and works
8 Administrative delays in • Involve relevant agencies and Ministries early
authorizations to deploy new • Streamline licensing procedures
infrastructure • Eliminate red-tape and delays
• Remove barriers and obstacles to owning land
9 Limited economic growth in certain • Ongoing subsidy programs on the demand side, following investment on
areas the supply side
10 Limitations in amount of spectrum • Streamline spectrum licensing and re-farming practices
available • Implementation of the digital switch-over
• More effective policies for spectrum allocation/assignment
11 Limited availability of relevant local • Subsidies and awards for the development of local content
content • Development of e-government services, open government/freedom of
information policies
In addition, ITU-D Report “Access technology for broadband telecommunications including IMT, for
developing countries”31 provides developing countries with an understanding of the different technologies
available for broadband access in urban, rural and remote areas using both wired and wireless technologies for
terrestrial and satellite telecommunications, including IMT. The Report covers technical issues involved in
deploying broadband access technologies by identifying the factors influencing the effective deployment of
such technologies, as well as their applications, with a focus on technologies and standards that are recognized
or under study within ITU-R and ITU-T.
31 ITU-D Report “Access technology for broadband telecommunications including IMT, for developing
countries”, available at http://www.itu.int/pub/D-STG-SG02.25-2014
3 IMT system characteristics, technologies and standards
3.1 Introduction
International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) encompasses IMT-2000, IMT-Advanced and IMT-2020
collectively based on Resolution ITU-R 56.
The capabilities of IMT systems are being continuously enhanced in line with user application demands and
technology developments.
Recommendation ITU-R M.1457 contain the detailed specifications of the terrestrial radio interface of
IMT-2000. Recommendations ITU-R M.2012 and ITU-R M.2150 contains, respectively, the detailed
specifications of the terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT-Advanced and IMT-2020.
3.2 IMT system concepts and objectives
IMT system concepts
IMT-2000, third generation mobile systems started service around the year 2000, and IMT systems provide
access by means of one or more radio links to a wide range of telecommunication services including advanced
mobile services, supported by fixed networks (e.g. PSTN/Internet), which are increasingly packet-based, and
other services specific to mobile users.
It is described in Recommendation ITU-R M.1645 that the framework of the future development of IMT-2000
and systems beyond IMT-2000 for the radio access network is based on the global user application demands
and technology evolution directions, including the needs of developing countries.
International Mobile Telecommunications – Advanced (IMT-Advanced) is a mobile system that includes the
new capabilities of IMT that go beyond those of IMT-2000.
The term “IMT-Advanced” is applied to those systems, system components, and related aspects that include
new radio interface(s) that support the new capabilities of systems beyond IMT-200032.
IMT-Advanced systems provide enhanced peak data rates to support advanced services and applications
(100 Mbit/s for high and 1 Gbit/s for low mobility were established as targets for research)33.
IMT-Advanced systems have capabilities for high-quality multimedia applications within wide range of
services and platforms, providing a significant improvement in performance and quality of current services,
and support low to high mobility applications and a wide range of data rates in accordance with user and
service demands in multiple user environments.
The capabilities of IMT-Advanced systems are being continuously enhanced in line with technology
developments.
The global operation and economy of scale are key requirements for the success of mobile telecommunication
systems. It is desirable to agree on a harmonized time-frame for developing common technical, operational
and spectrum-related parameters of systems, taking account of relevant IMT-2000 and other experience.
Maximizing the commonality between IMT-Advanced air interfaces may lead to reduced complexity and a
lower incremental cost of multi-mode terminals.
32 As described in Recommendation ITU-R M.1645, systems beyond IMT-2000 will encompass the
capabilities of previous systems, and the enhancement and future developments of IMT-2000 that fulfil the
criteria in resolves 2 of Resolution ITU-R 56 may also be part of IMT-Advanced.
33 Data rates sourced from Recommendation ITU-R M.1645.
3.2.1 Capabilities of IMT-2020

IMT-2020 systems are mobile systems that include the new capabilities of IMT that go beyond those of
IMT-Advanced. IMT-2020 systems support low to high mobility applications and a wide range of data rates
in accordance with user and service demands in multiple user environments. IMT-2020 also has capabilities
for high quality multimedia applications within a wide range of services and platforms, providing a significant
improvement in performance and quality of service.
A broad variety of capabilities, tightly coupled with intended usage scenarios and applications for IMT-2020
is envisioned. Different usage scenarios along with the current and future directions will result in a great
diversity/variety of requirements. The key design principles are flexibility and diversity to serve many different
use cases and scenarios, for which the capabilities of IMT-2020, described in the following paragraphs, will
have different relevance and applicability. In addition, the constraints on network energy consumption and the
spectrum resource will need to be considered.
IMT-2020 should be able to provide these capabilities without undue burden on energy consumption, network
equipment cost and deployment cost to make future IMT sustainable and affordable.
The key capabilities of IMT-2020 are shown in Figure 3, compared with those of IMT-Advanced.
FIGURE 3
Enhancement of key capabilities from IMT-Advanced to IMT-2020
Objectives
Objectives of IMT-2000 are defined in Recommendation ITU-R M.687 – International Mobile
Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000), and were finally revised in 1997, including general objectives,
technical objectives, and operational objectives. For more details please refer to the original Recommendation.
Objectives for IMT for 2020 and beyond are established in Recommendation ITU-R M.2083, by describing
potential user and application directions, growth in traffic, technological evolution and spectrum implications,
and by providing guidelines on the framework and the capabilities for IMT for 2020 and beyond.
Objectives of the future development of IMT-2000 and systems beyond IMT-2000 are also summarized in
Recommendation ITU-R M.1645 from the view point of multiple perspectives as in the next table taken from
section 4.2.2 of Recommendation ITU-R M.1645 as follows:
Objectives from multiple perspectives
Perspective Objectives
Ubiquitous mobile access
Easy access to applications and services
Appropriate quality at reasonable cost
Easily understandable user interface
END USER
Long equipment and battery life
Large choice of terminals
Enhanced service capabilities
User-friendly billing capabilities
Flexible billing capabilities
Ability to adapt content to user requirements depending on terminal, location and user
CONTENT PROVIDER preferences
Access to a very large marketplace through a high similarity of application programming
interfaces
Fast, open service creation, validation and provisioning
Quality of service (QoS) and security management
SERVICE PROVIDER
Automatic service adaptation as a function of available data rate and type of terminal
Optimization of resources (spectrum and equipment)
QoS and security management
Ability to provide differentiated services
Flexible network configuration
NETWORK Reduced cost of terminals and network equipment based on global economies of scale
OPERATOR Smooth transition from IMT-2000 to systems beyond IMT-2000
Maximization of sharing capabilities between IMT-2000 and systems beyond IMT-2000
Single authentication (independent of the access network)
Access type selection optimizing service delivery
Reduced cost of terminals and network equipment based on global economies of scale
MANUFACTURER/ Access to a global marketplace
APPLICATION
DEVELOPER Open physical and logical interfaces between modular and integrated subsystems
Programmable platforms that enable fast and low-cost development
3.3 IMT architecture and standards

Recommendation ITU-R M.1645 defines the framework and overall objectives of the future development of
IMT-2000 and systems beyond IMT-2000 for the radio access network based on the global user application
demands and technology evolution directions, and the needs of developing countries.
Since the year of 2000, the technical specifications of IMT-2000 have been continually enhanced.
IMT-2000, IMT-Advanced and IMT-2020 are defined by a set of interdependent ITU Recommendations which
are referred to in this Handbook.
There are a number of other ITU-R Recommendations for IMT (Recommendations ITU-R M.1036,
ITU-R M.1580, ITU-R M.1581 and ITU-R M.1579 among others) that provide relevant implementation
aspects enabling the most effective and efficient use and deployment of systems – while minimizing the impact
on other systems or services in these and in adjacent bands – and facilitating the growth of IMT systems34.
For more information on ITU-R Recommendations and Reports please refer to Annex B.
3.3.1 IMT radio access network and standards
Recommendation ITU-R M.1457 provides the detailed specifications of the terrestrial radio interfaces of
IMT-2000. Recommendations ITU-R M.2012 and ITU-R M.2150 provide, respectively, the detailed
specifications of the terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT-Advanced and IMT-2020. These Recommendations
provide specific information regarding the air interfaces that are used in the terrestrial IMT networks.
Recommendation ITU-R M.1457 contains overviews and detailed specifications of each of the IMT-2000 radio
interfaces:
– (Section 5.1) IMT-2000 CDMA Direct Spread
– (Section 5.2) IMT-2000 CDMA Multi-Carrier
– (Section 5.3) IMT-2000 CDMA TDD
– (Section 5.4) IMT-2000 TDMA Single-Carrier
– (Section 5.5) IMT-2000 FDMA/TDMA
– (Section 5.6) IMT-2000 OFDMA TDD WMAN.
Recommendation ITU-R M.2012 contains detailed specifications of the terrestrial radio interfaces of
IMT-Advanced. The Recommendation includes both overviews and detailed specifications of the two
IMT-Advanced radio interfaces:
– (Annex 1) Specification of the LTE-Advanced radio interface technology.
– (Annex 2) Specification of the WirelessMAN-Advanced radio interface technology.
Recommendation ITU-R M.2150 contains detailed specifications of the terrestrial radio interfaces of
IMT-2020. The Recommendation includes both overviews and detailed specifications of the three IMT-2020
radio interfaces:
– (Annex 1) Specification of the 3GGP 5G-SRIT radio interface technology.
– (Annex 2) Specification of the 3GGP 5G-RIT radio interface technology.
– (Annex 3) Specification of the 5Gi radio interface technology.
– (Annex 4) Specification of the DECT 5G − SRIT radio interface technology.
34 Recommendations ITU-R M.1457, ITU-R M.2012 and ITU-R M.2150 are separate, independent, and
self-contained Recommendations, each one with a specific scope. These Recommendations will evolve
independently, and there could be some overlap reflected by commonality in content between the
documents.
3.3.1.1 IMT-2000
3.3.1.1.1 IMT-2000 CDMA direct spread

This section includes CDMA Direct Spread and E-UTRAN.
CDMA direct spread
The IMT-2000 radio-interface specifications for CDMA direct spread technology are developed by a
partnership of SDOs35. This radio interface is called Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) FDD or
Wideband CDMA (WCDMA).
The overall architecture of the radio access network is shown in Figure 4. The architecture of this radio
interface consists of a set of radio network subsystems (RNS) connected to the core network (CN) through the
Iu interface. An RNS consists of a radio network controller (RNC) and one or more entities called Node B.
Node B is connected to the RNC through the Iub interface. Each NodeB can handle one or more cells. The
RNC is responsible for the handover decisions that require signalling to the user equipment (UE). In case
macro diversity between different Node Bs is to be supported, the RNC comprises a combining/splitting
function to support this. Node B can comprise an optional combining/splitting function to support macro
diversity within a Node B. The RNCs of the RNS can be interconnected through the Iur interface. Iu and Iur
are logical interfaces, i.e. the Iur interface can be conveyed over a direct physical connection between RNCs
or via any suitable transport network.
FIGURE 4
Radio access network architecture
(Cells are indicated by ellipses)
35 Currently, these specifications are developed within the third generation partnership project (3GPP) where
the participating SDOs are the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB), China
Communications Standards Association (CCSA), the European Telecommunications Standards Institute
(ETSI), Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS Committee T1P1),
Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA), Telecommunication Technology Committee (TTC)
and Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI).
E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network = LTE)

E-UTRAN has been introduced for the evolution of the radio-access technology towards a high-data-rate,
low-latency and packet-optimized radio-access technology.
E-UTRAN supports scalable bandwidth operation below 5 MHz bandwidth options up to 20 MHz in both the
uplink and downlink. Harmonization of paired and unpaired operation is highly considered to avoid
unnecessary fragmentation of technologies.
The radio access network architecture of E-UTRAN consists of the evolved UTRAN Node Bs (eNBs). eNBs
host the functions for radio resource management, IP header compression and encryption of user data stream,
etc. eNBs are interconnected with each other and connected to an Evolved Packet Core (EPC).
The E-UTRAN radio access network consists of eNBs, providing the user plane (PDCP/RLC/MAC/PHY) and
control plane (RRC) protocol terminations towards the UE. The eNBs are interconnected with each other by
means of the X2 interface. The eNBs are also connected by means of the S1 interface to the EPC (Evolved
Packet Core), and more specifically to the MME (Mobility Management Entity) by means of the S1-C and to
the S-GW (Serving Gateway) by means of the S1-U. The S1 interface supports a many-to-many relation
between MMEs/Serving Gateways and eNBs.
The E-UTRAN radio access network architecture is illustrated in Figure 5.
FIGURE 5
Overall architecture
The eNB hosts the following functions:

– functions for Radio Resource Management: Radio Bearer Control, Radio Admission Control,
Connection Mobility Control, Dynamic allocation of resources to UEs in both uplink and
downlink (scheduling);
– IP header compression and encryption of user data stream;
– selection of an MME at UE attachment;
– routing of User Plane data towards S-GW;
– scheduling and transmission of paging messages (originated from the MME);
– scheduling and transmission of broadcast information (originated from the MME or O&M);
– measurement and measurement reporting configuration for mobility and scheduling.
The MME hosts the following functions:
– NAS signalling;
– NAS signalling security;
– Inter CN node signalling for mobility between 3GPP access networks;
– Idle mode UE Reachability (including control and execution of paging retransmission);
– Tracking Area list management (for UE in idle and active mode);
– PDN GW and Serving GW selection;
– MME selection for handovers with MME change;
– SGSN selection for handovers to GSM or IMT-2000 3GPP access networks;
– Roaming;
– Authentication;
– Bearer management functions including dedicated bearer establishment.
3.3.1.1.2 IMT-2000 CDMA Multi-Carrier
The IMT-2000 radio interface specifications for CDMA multi-carrier (MC) technology are developed by a
partnership of SDOs (3GPP2)36. This radio interface is called cdma2000.
cdma2000 1xRTT and High Rate Packet Data (HRPD) Access Network Architecture
Figures 6 and 7 below show the relationship among network components in support of Mobile Station (MS)
originations, MS terminations, and direct Base Station (BS) to Base Station (BS) soft/softer handoff operations.
These two Figures also depict a logical architecture that does not imply any particular physical implementation.
The InterWorking Function (IWF) for circuit-oriented data calls is assumed to be located at the circuit-switched
Mobile Switching Centre (MSC), and the SDU (Selection/Distribution Unit) function is considered to be
co-located with the source BSC (Base Station Controller).
36 Currently, these specifications are developed within the Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2),
where the participating SDOs are ARIB, CCSA, TIA, TTA and TTC.
FIGURE 6
Reference model for circuit-switched cdma2000 access network interfaces
FIGURE 7
Reference model for packet-based cdma2000 access network interfaces
The interfaces defined in Figures 6 and 7 provide:

– bearer (user traffic) connections (A2, A2p, A3 (traffic), A5, A8, and A10);
– a signalling connection between the channel element component of the target BS and the SDU
function in the source BS (A3 signalling);
– a direct BS to BS signalling connection (A7);
– a signalling connection between the BS and the circuit-switched MSC (A1);
– a signalling connection between the BS and the MSCe (A1p);
– a signalling connection between the BS and PCF (A9); and
– a signalling connection between a PCF and PDSN pair (A11). A11 signalling messages are also
used for passing accounting related and other information from the PCF to the PDSN.
In general, the functions specified on the interfaces are based on the premise that the interfaces carry signalling
information that traverses the following logical paths:
– between the BS and MSC only (e.g. BS management information);
– between the MS and the MSC via the BS (e.g. the BS maps air interface messages to the A1 or
A1p interface);
– between the BS and other network elements via the MSC;
– between the source BS and the target BS;
– between the BS and the PCF;
– between the PCF and the PDSN; and
– between the MS and the PDSN (e.g. authorization information and Mobile Internet Protocol
(MIP) signalling).
cdma2000 Evolved High Rate Packet Data (eHRPD) Access Network Architecture
The eHRPD IOS (Interoperability Specification) messaging and call flows are based on the Architecture
Reference Model shown in Figure 837 and in Figure 938. In these Figures, solid lines indicate signalling and
bearer and dashed lines indicate only signalling.
The eHRPD call flows include the E-UTRAN and other 3GPP access entities (S-GW, P-GW, HSS and PCRF).
Refer to TS 23.40239 for the architecture model and descriptions of these network entities and associated
interfaces.
37 The Interworking Solution (IWS) Function in Figure 8 may be collocated at either the 1x Base Station (BS)
or at the HRPD eAN, or may be a standalone entity. When the IWS function is collocated at the 1x BS, the
A21 interface is supported between the 1x BS and the HRPD eAN, and the A1/A1p interface is supported
between the Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) and the 1x BS. When the IWS function is part of the HRPD
eAN, the A1/A1p interface between the MSC and the HRPD eAN exists, and the A21 interface is internal
to the HRPD eAN. When the IWS is a standalone entity, the A1/A1p interface is supported between the
MSC and the IWS, and the A21 interface is supported between the IWS and the HRPD eAN. PDSN and
HSGW functions may not be in the same physical entity.
38 The IWS Function in Figure 9 may be collocated at either the 1x BS or at the HRPD ePCF, or may be a
standalone entity. When the IWS function is collocated at the 1x BS, the A21 interface is supported between
the 1x BS and the HRPD ePCF, and the A1/A1p interface is supported between the MSC and the 1x BS.
When the IWS function is part of the HRPD ePCF, the A1/A1p interface between the MSC and the HRPD
ePCF exists, and the A21 interface is internal to the HRPD ePCF. When the IWS is a standalone entity, the
A1/A1p interface is supported between the MSC and the IWS, and the A21 interface is supported between
the IWS and the HRPD ePCF. PDSN and HSGW functions may not be in the same physical entity.
39 3GPP TS 23.402 V12.7.0 (2014-12), Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects;
Architecture enhancements for non-3GPP accesses.
FIGURE 8
Session control and mobility management in the evolved access network
FIGURE 9
Session control and mobility management in the evolved packet control function
3.3.1.1.3 IMT-2000 CDMA TDD

The IMT-2000 radio interface specifications for CDMA TDD technology are developed by a partnership of
standards development organizations (SDOs)40. This radio interface is called the Universal Terrestrial Radio
Access (UTRA) time division duplex (TDD), where three options, called 1.28 Mchip/s TDD (TD-SCDMA)41,
3.84 Mchip/s TDD and 7.68 Mchip/s TDD can be distinguished. E-UTRAN TDD has been introduced for the
evolution of UTRAN TDD towards high data rate, low latency and packet optimized radio access technology.
For the IMT-2000 CDMA TDD RAN overall architecture please refer to Figure 4 above. For the E-UTRA
TDD RAN overall architecture please refer to Figure 5.
3.3.1.1.4 IMT-2000 TDMA single-carrier

The IMT-2000 TDMA single-carrier radio interface specifications contain two variations depending on
whether a TIA/EIA-41 circuit switched network component or a GSM evolved UMTS circuit switched
network component is used. In either case, a common enhanced GSM General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
packet switched network component is used.
Radio interface use with TIA/EIA-41 circuit switched network

The IMT-2000 radio interface specifications for TDMA single-carrier technology utilizing the TIA/EIA-41
circuit switched network component are developed by TIA TR45.3 with input from the Universal Wireless
Communications Consortium. This radio interface is called Universal Wireless Communication-136
(UWC-136), which is specified by American National Standard TIA/EIA-136. It has been developed with the
objective of maximum commonality between TIA/EIA-136 and GSM EDGE GPRS.
This radio interface was designed to provide a TIA/EIA-136 (designated as 136)-based radio transmission
technology that meets ITU-Rʼs requirements for IMT-2000. It maintains the TDMA communityʼs philosophy
of evolution from 1st to 3rd Generation systems while addressing the specific desires and goals of the TDMA
community for a 3rd Generation system.
Radio interface used with GSM evolved UMTS circuit switched network component
This radio interface provides an evolution path for an additional pre-IMT-2000 technology (GSM/GPRS) to
IMT-2000 TDMA Single-Carrier. The IMT-2000 radio interface specifications for TDMA Single-Carrier
technology utilizing the GSM evolved UMTS circuit switched network component are developed by 3GPP
and transposed by ATIS Wireless Technologies and Systems Committee (WTSC). The circuit switched
component uses a common 200 kHz carrier as does the GSM EDGE enhanced GPRS phase 2 packet switched
component, as used by 136EHS, to provide high speed data (384 kbit/s). In addition a new dual carrier
configuration is supported
TIA/EIA-41 Circuit Switched Network component

Figure 10 presents the network elements and the associated reference points that comprise a system utilizing
the TIA/EIA-41 circuit switched network component. The primary TIA/EIA-41 network node visible to the
serving GPRS support node (SGSN) is the gateway mobile switching centre (MSC)/visitor location register
(VLR). The interface between the TIA/EIA-41 gateway MSC/VLR and the SGSN is the Gsʼ interface, which
allows the tunnelling of TIA/EIA-136 signalling messages between the MS and the gateway MSC/VLR. The
tunnelling of these signalling messages is performed transparently through the SGSN. Between the MS and
the SGSN, the signalling messages are transported using the tunnelling of messages (TOM) protocol layer.
TOM uses the LLC unacknowledged mode procedures to transport the signalling messages. Between the
SGSN and the gateway MSC/VLR, the messages are transported using the BSSAP+ protocol.
40 Currently, these specifications are developed within the third generation partnership project (3GPP) where
the participating SDOs are ARIB, ATIS, CCSA, ETSI, TSDSI, TTA and TTC.
41 The same name TD-SCDMA was previously used for one of the original proposals that was further refined
following the harmonization process.
Upon receiving a TIA/EIA-136 signalling message from a MS via the TOM protocol, the SGSN forwards the
message to the appropriate gateway MSC/VLR using the BSSAP+ protocol. Upon receiving a TIA/EIA-136
signalling message from a gateway MSC/VLR via the BSSAP+ protocol, the SGSN forwards the message to
the indicated MS using the TOM protocol.
MS supporting both the TIA/EIA-41 circuit-switched network component and packet services (Class B136
MS) perform location updates with the circuit system by tunnelling the registration message to the gateway
MSC/VLR. When an incoming call arrives for a given MS, the gateway MSC/VLR associated with the latest
registration pages the MS through the SGSN. The page can be a hard page (no Layer 3 information included
in the message), in which case, the Gs' interface paging procedures are used by the MSC/VLR and the SGSN.
If the circuit page is not for a voice call or, if additional parameters are associated with the page, a Layer 3
page message is tunnelled to the MS by the MSC/VLR. Upon receiving a page, the MS pauses the packet data
session and leaves the packet data channel for a suitable DCCH. Broadcast information is provided on the
packet control channel to assist the MS with a list of candidate DCCHs. Once on a DCCH, the MS sends a
page response. The remaining call setup procedures, such as traffic channel designation, proceed as in a normal
page response situation.
FIGURE 10
TIA/EIA-41 circuit switched network components
GSM evolved UMTS Circuit Switched Network component

Figure 11 presents the network elements and the associated reference points that comprise a system utilizing
the GSM evolved UMTS circuit switched network component along with the common GSM EDGE enhanced
GPRS or EGPRS2 packet switched component.
Since the TDMA-SC network supports a common EDGE 136EHS bearer connected to a core enhanced GPRS
backbone network or a GSM EDGE radio access network, along with either circuit switched component, GSM
EDGE Release 5, Release 6, Release 7 and Release 8 mobile stations and functions are supported. In addition
to the Gs interface, GSM SMS functionality is also supported through the Gd interface 42.
FIGURE 11
GSM evolved UMTS circuit switched network component
42 For simplicity, not all network elements of this system are shown in Figure 11.
3.3.1.1.5 IMT-2000 FDMA/TDMA
The IMT-2000 radio interface specifications for FDMA/TDMA technology are defined by a set of ETSI
standards. This radio interface is called digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT). This
technology provides a comprehensive set of protocols which provide the flexibility to interwork between
numerous different applications and networks. Thus a local and/or public network is not part of this
specification. Figure 12 illustrates this.
The radio interface covers, in principle, only the air interface between the fixed part (FP) and portable part
(PP). The interworking unit (IWU) between a network and the fixed radio termination (FT) is network specific
and is not part of the common interface (CI) specification, but the profile specifications define IWUs for
various networks. Similarly, the end system (ES)43, the application(s) in a PP is also excluded. The CI
specification contains general end-to-end compatibility requirements e.g. on speech transmission. The IWU
and ES are also subject to general attachment requirements for the relevant public network, e.g. the
PSTN/ISDN.
FIGURE 12
The Common Interface structure
For each specific network, local or global, the specific services and features of that network are made available
via the air interface to the users of PPs/handsets. Except for cordless capability and mobility, this standard does
not offer a specific service; it is transparent to the services provided by the connected network. Thus the CI
standard is, and has to be, a tool box with protocols and messages from which a selection is made to access
any specific network, and to provide means for market success for simple residential systems as well as for
much more complex systems, e.g. office ISDN services.
IMT-2000 FDMA/TDMA is very suitable to be used as radio access system to connect to mobile networks.
Specifically the access to GSM/UMTS networks has been specified in detail, which allows the provision of
GSM/UMTS services via DECT. The multipart TS 101 863 contains the UMTS interworking specification.
43 An ES depends on the application supported in a PP. For a speech telephony application the ES may be a
microphone, speaker, keyboard and display. The ES could equally well be a serial computer port, a fax
machine or whatever the application requires.
3.3.1.1.6 IMT-2000 OFDMA TDD WMAN

The IEEE standard relevant for IMT-2000 OFDMA TDD WMAN, designated as IEEE Std 802.16, is
developed and maintained by the IEEE 802.16 Working Group on Broadband Wireless Access. It is published
by the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
The radio interface technology specified in IEEE Standard 802.16 is flexible, for use in a wide variety of
applications, operating frequencies, and regulatory environments. IEEE 802.16 includes multiple physical
layer specifications, one of which is known as WirelessMAN-OFDMA. OFDMA TDD WMAN is a special
case of WirelessMAN-OFDMA specifying a particular interoperable radio interface. The component of
OFDMA TDD WMAN defined here operates in TDD mode.
The OFDMA TDD WMAN radio interface is designed to carry packet-based traffic, including IP. It is flexible
enough to support a variety of higher-layer network architectures for fixed, nomadic, or fully mobile use, with
handover support. It can readily support functionality suitable for generic data as well as time-critical voice
and multimedia services, broadcast and multicast services, and mandated regulatory services.
The radio interface standard specifies Layers 1 and 2; the specification of the higher network layers is not
included. It offers the advantage of flexibility and openness at the interface between Layers 2 and 3 and it
supports a variety of network infrastructures. The radio interface is compatible with the network architectures
defined in Recommendation ITU-T Q.1701. In particular, a network architecture design to make optimum use
of IEEE Standard 802.16 and the OFDMA TDD WMAN radio interface is described in the “WiMAX End to
End Network Systems Architecture Stage 2-3”, available from the WiMAX Forum44.
The protocol layering is illustrated in Figure 13. The MAC comprises three sub-layers. The service-specific
convergence sub-layer (CS) provides any transformation or mapping of external network data, received
through the CS service access point (SAP), into MAC service data units (SDUs) received by the MAC common
part sub-layer (CPS) through the MAC SAP. This includes classifying external network SDUs and associating
them to the proper MAC service flow identifier (SFID) and connection identifier (CID). It may also include
such functions as payload header suppression (PHS). Multiple CS specifications are provided for interfacing
with various protocols. The internal format of the CS payload is unique to the CS, and the MAC CPS is not
required to understand the format of or parse any information from the CS payload.
44 WiMAX End to End Network Systems Architecture Stage 2-3, available at

http://www.wimaxforum.org/technology/documents/.
FIGURE 13
OFDMA TDD WMAN protocol layering, showing service access points (SAPs)
The MAC CPS provides the core MAC functionality of system access, bandwidth allocation, connection
establishment, and connection maintenance. It receives data from the various CSs, through the MAC SAP,
classified to particular MAC connections.
3.3.1.2 IMT-Advanced
3.3.1.2.1 LTE-Advanced
The LTE-Advanced radio-access network has a flat architecture with a single type of node, the eNodeB, which
is responsible for all radio-related functions in one or several cells. The eNodeB is connected to the core
network by means of the S1 interface, more specifically to the serving gateway (S-GW) by means of the user-
plane part, S1-u, and to the Mobility Management Entity (MME) by means of the control-plane part, S1-c.
One eNodeB can interface to multiple MMEs/S-GWs for the purpose of load sharing and redundancy.
The X2 interface, connecting eNodeBs to each other, is mainly used to support active-mode mobility. This
interface may also be used for multi-cell Radio Resource Management (RRM) functions such as Inter-Cell
Interference Coordination (ICIC). The X2 interface is also used to support lossless mobility between
neighbouring cells by means of packet forwarding.
Inter-cell interference coordination (ICIC), where neighbour cells exchange information aiding the scheduling
in order to reduce interference, is supported for the RITs. ICIC can be used for homogenous deployments with
non-overlapping cells of similar transmission power, as well as for heterogeneous deployments where a higher-
power cell overlays one or several lower-power nodes. The LTE-Advanced Radio-access network interfaces
are illustrated in Figure 14.
FIGURE 14
Radio-access network interfaces
3.3.1.2.2 WirelessMAN-Advanced
The IEEE standard relevant for WirelessMAN-Advanced, designated as IEEE Std 802.16.1, is developed and
maintained by the IEEE 802.16 Working Group on Broadband Wireless Access. It is published by the IEEE
Standards Association (IEEE-SA) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Figure 15 illustrates the protocol layering of IEEE Std 802.16.1-2012. The medium access control (MAC)
common part sub-layer (CPS) provides the core MAC functionality of system access, bandwidth allocation,
connection establishment, and connection maintenance. It receives data from the various convergence
sub-layers (CSs), through the MAC service access point (SAP), classified to particular MAC connections.
Quality of service (QoS) is applied to the transmission and scheduling of data over the physical layer (PHY).
The MAC also contains a separate security sub-layer providing authentication, secure key exchange, and
encryption. Data, PHY control, and statistics are transferred between the MAC CPS and the PHY via the PHY
SAP. The MAC comprises three sub-layers. The service-specific CS provides any transformation or mapping
of external network data, received through the CS SAP, into MAC service data units (SDUs) received by the
MAC CPS through the MAC SAP. This includes classifying external network SDUs and associating them to
the proper MAC service flow identifier (SFID) and, for an advanced base station (ABS) or advanced mobile
station (AMS), a Station Identifier + Flow Identifier (STID + FID) combination. It may also include such
functions as payload header suppression (PHS). Multiple CS specifications are provided for interfacing with
various protocols. The internal format of the CS payload is unique to the CS, and the MAC CPS is not required
to understand the format of or to parse any information from the CS payload.
FIGURE 15
IEEE 802.16.1 protocol layering, showing service access points (SAPs)
3.3.1.3 IMT-2020
3.3.1.3.1 3GPP 5G-SRIT
The IMT-2020 specifications, known as 5G-SRIT, have been developed by 3GPP and consist of long-term
evolution (LTE) and new radio (NR) Releases 15 and beyond. In 3GPP terminology, the term Evolved-UMTS
Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) is also used to signify the LTE radio interface.
5G-SRIT is a set of radio interface technologies (RITs) consisting of E-UTRA/LTE as one component RIT
and NR as the other component RIT. Both components are designed for operation in IMT spectrum.
The radio-access network of E-UTRA/LTE RIT has a flat architecture with a single type of node, the eNodeB,
which is responsible for all radio-related functions in one or several cells. The eNodeB is connected to the core
network via the S1 interface, more specifically to the serving gateway (S-GW) by means of the user-plane part,
S1-u, and to the Mobility Management Entity (MME) by means of the control-plane part, S1-c. One eNodeB
can connect to multiple MMEs/S-GWs for the purpose of load sharing and redundancy. MMEs/S-GWs can be
(re)selected for support of separate dedicated core networks that are designed to meet the requirements of a
certain group of devices/customers.
The X2 interface, connecting eNodeBs to each other, is mainly used to support active-mode mobility. This
interface may also be used for multi-cell Radio Resource Management (RRM) functions such as ICIC or
CoMP. The X2 interface is also used to support lossless mobility between neighbouring cells by means of
packet forwarding. The architecture is shown in Figure 16.
FIGURE 16
Radio-access network interfaces
The NR RIT as one component RIT represents the releases 15 and 16 of NR, which uses either 1) FDD
operation and therefore is applicable for operation with paired spectrum or 2) TDD operation and therefore is
applicable for operation with unpaired spectrum. Channel bandwidths up to 400 MHz and Carrier Aggregation
over 16 component carriers are supported, yielding peak data rates up to roughly 140 Gbit/s in the downlink
and 65 Gbit/s in the uplink.
An NG-RAN node, is either:
− A gNB, providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE; or
− An ng-eNB, providing E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the
UE.
NG-RAN nodes are interconnected by means of the interface named Xn. The gNBs and ng-eNBs are also
connected by means of the NG interfaces to the 5GC, more specifically to the Access and Mobility
Management Function (AMF) by means of the NG-C interface and to the User Plane Function (UPF) by means
of the NG-U interface.
The NG-RAN architecture is illustrated in Figure 17.

FIGURE 17
Overall NG-RAN architecture
E-UTRAN supports Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) operation via E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity
(EN-DC), in which a UE is connected to one eNB that acts as a Master Node (MN) and one en-gNB that acts
as a Secondary Node (SN). The eNB is connected to the EPC via the S1 interface and to the en-gNB via the
X2 interface. The en-gNB might also be connected to the EPC via the S1-U interface and other en-gNBs via
the X2-U interface NG-RAN supports Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) operation.
The EN-DC architecture is illustrated in Figure 18.
FIGURE 18
EN-DC overall architecture

3.3.1.3.2 3GPP 5G-RIT

The IMT-2020 specifications known as 5G RIT have been developed by 3GPP and encompass NR Releases
15 and beyond.
The NG Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) includes NG-RAN nodes that support multiple radio access (e.g.
NR, MR-DC of NR and E-UTRA, etc). The RIT considers the gNB as an NG-RAN node providing NR user
plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE and connected via the NG interface to the 5GC,
and the ng-eNB as NG-RAN node for Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity only.
NG-RAN nodes are interconnected by means of the interface named Xn. The gNBs and ng-eNBs are also
connected by means of the NG interfaces to the 5GC, more specifically to the Access and Mobility
Management Function (AMF) by means of the NG-C interface and to the User Plane Function (UPF) by means
of the NG-U interface.
The NG-RAN architecture is illustrated in Figure 17 above.
3.3.1.3.3 5Gi
TSDSI RIT (5Gi) is a versatile radio interface that fulfils all the technical performance requirements of
IMT-2020 across all the different test environments. This RIT focuses on connecting the next generation of
devices and providing services across various sectors. This RIT focuses on:
‒ enhanced spectral efficiency and broadband access;
‒ low latency communication;
‒ support millions of IOT devices;
‒ power efficiency;
‒ high speed connectivity;
‒ large coverage (in particular for rural areas);
‒ support multiple frequency bands including mmWave spectrum.
While, the current specifications provide a robust RIT, the specification also provides a framework on which
future enhancements can be supported, providing a future-proof technology.
The overall RAN protocol architecture is shown in Figure 19.
FIGURE 19
Control-plane and user-plane protocol stack (AMF is not part of the RAN)
1 Physical layer is responsible for coding (decoding), modulation (demodulation), rate adaptation,
multi-antenna processing and appropriate waveform generation.
2 Medium-Access Control (MAC) layer is responsible for scheduling, hybrid-ARQ and

multiplexing of logical channels. Physical layer interacts with MAC using transport channels.
3 Radio-link Control (RLC) layer is responsible for packet segmentation and handling
retransmissions. MAC layer interfaces with RLC layer using logical channels.
4 Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer provides in-sequence delivery of packets,
ciphering functionality and integrity protection. RLC interacts with PDCP using RLC channels
5 Service Data Application Protocol (SDAP) layer is primarily responsible for managing radio
bearers and maintaining QoS requirements.
6 Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer is responsible for handling RAN control-plane procedures,
transmission of configuration and system parameters.
3.3.1.3.4 DECT 5G-SRIT

The IMT-2020 specifications have been developed by ETSI TC DECT and 3GPP and consist of DECT-2020
NR Releases 1 and beyond and 3GPP NR Releases 15 and beyond.
The specification is a Set of Radio Interface Technologies (RITs) consisting of DECT-2020 NR as one
component RIT and 3GPP NR as the other component RIT. Both components are designed for operation in
IMT spectrum.
The SRIT and the component RIT 3GPP NR fulfil all technical performance requirements in all five selected
test environments: Indoor Hotspot – enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Dense Urban – eMBB, Rural –
eMBB, Urban Macro – Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) and Urban Macro – massive
Machine Type Communication (mMTC). The component RIT DECT-2020 NR fulfils the technical
performance requirements in two selected test environments: Urban Macro – Ultra Reliable Low Latency
Communication (URLLC) and Urban Macro – massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC).
Also, the SRIT fulfils the service and the spectrum requirements. Both component RITs, DECT-2020 NR and
3GPP NR, utilize the frequency bands below 6 GHz identified for International Mobile Telecommunication
(IMT) in the ITU Radio Regulations. In addition, the 3GPP NR component RIT can also utilize the frequency
bands above 6 GHz, i.e. above 24.25 GHz, identified for IMT in the ITU Radio Regulations.
3.3.2 IMT Core Network and standards
3.3.2.1 Recommendation ITU-T Q.1741.8 – IMT-2000 references to Release 10 of

GSM-evolved UMTS core network
This Recommendation identifies the IMT-2000 family member, “GSM evolved UMTS Core Network”
corresponding to the “3GPP Release 10”.
The core network interfaces identified in this Recommendation ITU-T Q.1741 and the radio interfaces and
radio access interfaces which are identified in Recommendation ITU-R M.1457 constitute a complete system
specification for this IMT-2000 family member.
The Recommendation includes 380 items of definition relevant to the network which could be used like a
dictionary when readers would like to know compact meaning of any terms.
This Recommendation defines the terms relevant to the core network, of which many are based on definitions
given in the references listed in clause 2 of Recommendation ITU-T Q.1741.8.
The core network of 3GPP Release 10 supports IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced radio access networks as
options.
Whereas the basic configuration of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) supporting PS Domain
(both GPRS and EPC) and the interconnection to the PSTN/ISDN and PDN is presented in Figure 20. This
configuration presents signalling and user traffic interfaces which can be found in a PLMN.
Therefore, all the interfaces within PLMN are external. This Recommendation only describes the internal
interfaces in the core network (CN) and the external interfaces to and from CN.
FIGURE 20
Basic configuration of a 3GPP access PLMN supporting CS and PS services
(using GPRS and EPS) and interfaces
Note to Figure 20: The interfaces in blue represent EPS functions and reference points.
3.3.2.2 Recommendation ITU-T Q.1742.11 – IMT 2000 References (3GPP2 up to

31st December 2012) to ANSI-41 evolved Core Network with cdma2000 Access
Network
This Recommendation identifies the IMT-2000 Family Member; “ANSI-41 evolved Core Network with
cdma2000 Access Network.”
The Core Network interfaces identified in this Recommendation and the radio interfaces and radio access
network interfaces identified in Recommendation ITU-R M.1457 constitute a complete system specification
for this IMT-2000 Family Member.
The Core Network for cdma2000 is based on an evolved ANSI-41 2nd generation mobile system. The core
network technical specifications have been developed in a third generation partnership project (approved in
3GPP2 as of 31 December 2006) and transposed to the involved regional Standards Development
Organizations (SDOs). The system will support different applications ranging from narrow-band to wide-band
communications capability with integrated personal and terminal mobility to meet the user and service
requirements.
The Recommendation includes 56 items of definition relevant to the network which could be used like a
dictionary when readers would like to know compact meaning of any terms.
The basic architecture for the ANSI-41 evolved Core Network with cdma2000 Access Network family member
includes a circuit-based and packet based core network and an all-IP multimedia domain.
Figure 21 presents the network entities and associated reference points that comprise the ANSI-41 evolved
Core Network with cdma2000 Access Network. The network entities are represented by squares, triangles and
rounded corner rectangles; circles represent the reference points. The network reference model in this
Recommendation is the compilation of several reference models currently in use.
FIGURE 21
ANSI-41 evolved core network with cdma2000 access network reference model
Note to Figure 21: The portion of the Figure within the solid line is the Core Network.
AAA Authentication, Authorization and MC Message Centre

Accounting
AC Authentication Centre ME Mobile Equipment
BS Base Station MPC Mobile Position Centre
BSC Base Station Controller MS Mobile Station
BTS Base Transceiver System MSC Mobile Switching Centre
CDCP Call Data Collection Point MT Mobile Terminal
CDGP Call Data Generation Point MWNE Managed Wireless Network Entity
CDIS Call Data Information NPDB Number Portability DataBase
Source
CDRP Call Data Rating Point OSF Operations System Function
CF Collection Function OTAF Over-The-Air Service Provisioning
Function
CRDB Coordinate Routing Data PCF Packet Control Function
Base
CSC Customer Service Centre PDE Position Determining Entity
DCE Data Circuit Equipment PDN Packet Data Network
DF Delivery Function PDSN Packet Data Serving Node
EIR Equipment Identity Register PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
ESME Emergency Services Message Entity SCP Service Control Point
ESNE Emergency Services Network Entity SN Service Node
HA Home Agent SME Short Message Entity
HLR Home Location Register TA Terminal Adapter
IAP Intercept Access Point TE Terminal Equipment
IIF Interworking and Interoperability UIM User Identity Module
Function
IP Intelligent Peripheral VLR Visitor Location Register
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network VMS Voice Message System
IWF Interworking Function WNE Wireless Network Entity
LPDE Local Position Determining Entity WPSC Wireless Priority Service Centre
LNS L2TP Network Server
In the Recommendation, the following Core Network Architecture Model are also explained other than the
above reference model:
– IP MMD (Multimedia Domain)
– Packet Data Subsystem (PDS)
– IP Multimedia Session (IMS) Subsystem
3.3.3 Collaboration and process in the development of IMT radio interface specifications
IMT is a system with global development activity and the IMT radio interface specifications identified in
Recommendations ITU-R M.1457 for IMT-2000, ITU-R M.2012 for IMT-Advanced and ITU-R M.2150 for
IMT-2020, have been developed by the ITU in collaboration with the radio interface technology proponent
organizations, global partnership projects and SDOs, and subsequently approved by the ITU Member States.
ITU-R has provided the global and overall framework and requirements, and has developed the core global
specifications jointly with these organizations which are documented in Recommendations ITU-R M.1457,
M.2012 and M.2150. Thus the detailed standardization has been undertaken within the recognized external
organization45, who transpose the global core specifications contained in those Recommendations into their
own detailed published standards ensuring the global applicability and commonality of IMT. Annex E contains
descriptions of external organizations that have contributed to the development of IMT and Annex F contains
a list of published Recommendations, Reports and ongoing activities of ITU-R on the terrestrial component of
IMT.
This joint standardization approach is guided by Resolution ITU-R 9 ‒ Liaison and collaboration with other
relevant organizations, in particular ISO and IEC, and Resolution ITU-R 57 ‒ Principles for the process of
development of IMT Advanced.
Resolution ITU-R 57 has been the foundation for the creation of a set of well-defined procedures46 in ITU-R
to address the process and activities identified for the development of the IMT terrestrial components radio
interface Recommendations47. This set of procedures includes announcement of a call for proposals for new
radio interfaces and for updates to existing radio interfaces, the preparation of ITU-R Recommendations and
Reports that define the minimum requirements for terrestrial IMT, the submission process, the evaluation
process, and the development of the detailed radio interface specifications themselves. Detailed timelines are
produced for each stage of the process.
Such an approach has led to effective and efficient collaboration with the relevant external organizations
engaged in IMT and contributes positively to the planning, organization, and management of the work both in
ITU-R and in the external organizations resulting in timely and on-going enhancements to IMT. This
successful mechanism is already being utilized for the future development of IMT beyond that of IMT-2020
in activities currently underway in ITU-R48.
3.4 Techniques to facilitate roaming
Roaming is facilitated by:
1) using the frequency bands identified for IMT in the Radio Regulations (RR);
2) following the frequency arrangements in Recommendation ITU-R M.1036 – Frequency

arrangements for implementation of the Terrestrial component of International Mobile
Telecommunications (IMT) in the bands identified for IMT in the Radio Regulations (RR),
(03/2012), which provides guidance on the selection of transmitting and receiving frequency
arrangements for the terrestrial component of IMT;
45 A “recognized organization” in this context is defined to be a recognized SDO that has legal capacity, a
permanent secretariat, a designated representative, and open, fair, and well-documented working methods.
46 Web pages in ITU-R have been established to document the process for IMT-2000 submission and
evaluation, the process for IMT-Advanced submission and evaluation and the process for IMT-2020
submission and evaluation associated with developing and/or revising the relevant ITU-R
Recommendations for the terrestrial components of the IMT radio interfaces.
47 The procedures defined in the “IMT-ADV” series of documents for IMT-Advanced in conjunction with
Resolution ITU-R 57 have recently be applied to the on-going enhancement of IMT-2000 from year 2013
onwards as defined in the “IMT-2000” series of documents. The adoption of a common set of procedures
for IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced further improves and streamlines the work management both in ITU-R
and in the relevant external organizations on IMT development.
48 See “ITU towards IMT for 2020 and beyond” and the ITU article “Beyond 5G: What’s next for IMT?”.
3) using the 3GPP operating band that are defined in Table 5.5-1 in the 3GPP TS 36.101
http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/archive/36_series/36.101/36101-c60.zip49, in Table 5.0 in the
3GPP TS 25.101 http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/archive/25_series/25.101/25101-c60.zip50 and
section 5.2 in the Technical Specification 3GPP TS 25.102
http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/archive/25_series/25.102/25102-c00.zip 51, 52; and
4) using the 3GPP2 operating band defined in Table 1.5-1 in the band class specification 3GPP2
C.S0057
http:/www.3gpp2.org/public_html/specs/C.S0057-E_v1.0_Bandclass Specification.pdf53, 54.
It should be noted that the technology used by a system and its conformance with the recommended
specifications and standards in Recommendation ITU-R M.1457 define that system as IMT-2000, and
Recommendation ITU-R M.2012 define that system as IMT-Advanced regardless of the frequency band of
operation as explained in considering k) of Recommendation ITU-R M.1580. So it should be also noted that
harmonized frequency arrangements for the bands identified for IMT are addressed in Recommendation ITU-R
M.1036, which also indicates that some administrations may deploy IMT-2000 systems in bands other than
those identified to IMT in the RR, as explained in considering l) of the same Recommendation mentioned
above.
4 IMT spectrum
4.1 International spectrum identified for IMT
A number of frequency bands are identified for IMT in the Radio Regulations (RR). Recommendation ITU-R
M.1036 provides guidance on the selection of transmitting and receiving frequency arrangements for the
terrestrial component of IMT systems with a view to assisting administrations on spectrum-related technical
issues relevant to the implementation and use of the terrestrial component of IMT in the bands identified in the
Radio Regulations.
The following bands are identified for IMT in the Radio Regulations (RR) Edition 2020, as shown in Table 1.
This identification does not preclude the use of these bands by any application of the services to which they
are allocated or identified and does not establish priority in the Radio Regulations. It has to be noted that
different regulatory provisions apply to each band. The Regional deviations for each band are described in the
different footnotes applying in each band, as shown in Table 1.
49 3GPP TS 36.101 V12.6.0 (2014-12): “Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); User
Equipment (UE) radio transmission and reception” (Table 5.5-1).
50 3GPP TS 25.101 V12.6.0 (2014-12): “Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; User
Equipment (UE) radio transmission and reception (FDD)” (Table 5.0).
51 3GPP TS 25.102 V12.0.0 (2014-09): “Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; User
Equipment (UE) radio transmission and reception (TDD)” (Section 5.2).
52 It should be noted that some bands standardized in 3GPP are not identified for IMT, and are not part of the
Harmonized frequency arrangements of Recommendation ITU-R M.1036.
53 3GPP2 C.S0057-E Version 1.0 October 2010: “Band Class Specification for cdma2000 Spread Spectrum
Systems Revision E.
54 It should be noted that some bands standardized in 3GPP2 are not identified for IMT, and are not part of
the Harmonized frequency arrangements of Recommendation ITU-R M.1036.
TABLE 1
Footnotes identifying the band for IMT

Band
Region 1 Region 2 Region 3
450-470 MHz 5.286AA
470-698 MHz – 5.295, 5.308A 5.296A
694/698-960 MHz 5.317A 5.317A 5.313A, 5.317A
1 427-1 518 MHz 5.341A, 5.346 5.341B 5.341C, 5.346A
1 710-2 025 MHz 5.384A, 5.388
2 110-2 200 MHz 5.388
2 300-2 400 MHz 5.384A
2 500-2 690 MHz 5.384A
3 300-3 400 MHz 5.429B 5.429D 5.429F
3 400-3 600 MHz 5.430A 5.431B 5.432A, 5.432B, 5.433A
3 600-3 700 MHz – 5.434 –
4 800-4 990 MHz 5.441B 5.441A, 5.441B 5.441B
24.25-27.5 GHz 5.532AB
37-43.5 GHz 5.550B
45.5-47 GHz 5.553A 5.553A 5.553A
47.2-48.2 GHz 5.553B 5.553B 5.553B
66-71 GHz 5.559AA
Also, administrations may deploy IMT systems in bands other than those identified in the RR,
and administrations may deploy IMT systems only in some or parts of the bands identified for IMT in the RR.
However, it is emphasized that the use of IMT in any band allocated to the mobile service on a primary basis
but not identified for IMT should also comply with the objectives of the relevant technical and regulatory
provisions of the RR, as well as with the latest version of applicable ITU-R Recommendation(s).
4.2 Frequency arrangements

The frequency arrangements for IMT contained in Recommendation ITU-R M.1036 are provided with the
intent of enabling the most effective and efficient use of the spectrum to deliver IMT services – while
minimizing the impact on other systems or services in these bands – and facilitating the growth of IMT systems.
The recommended frequency arrangements together with implementation aspects for IMT in the bands identified
in the RR are provided in the latest revision of Recommendation ITU-R M.1036 ‒ Frequency arrangements for
implementation of the terrestrial component of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in the bands
identified for IMT in the Radio Regulations (RR). This Recommendation is updated after each WRC where new
frequencies are identified for IMT. At the time of completion of this handbook the Recommendation in force
does not include yet frequency arrangements for the bands identified for IMT in the range 24.25 GHz to 71 GHz;
however, it is envisaged that only TDD arrangements are recommended in these bands.
4.3 Methods to Estimate spectrum requirements for IMT

The methodology to estimate spectrum requirements for IMT is described in Recommendation
ITU-R M.1768-1 – Methodology for calculation of spectrum requirements for the terrestrial component
of IMT. Report ITU-R M.2290 – Future spectrum requirements estimate for terrestrial IMT, provides a global
perspective on the future spectrum requirement estimated for terrestrial IMT. The input parameters in this
Report are not country specific. In some countries, the spectrum requirements can be lower than the low
estimate and in some other countries, the spectrum requirements can be higher than the high estimate
(see Annex 4 of Report ITU-R M.2290, Summary of national spectrum requirements in some countries). The
methodology explained in the Recommendation and utilised in the Report could be used to estimate the total
IMT spectrum requirements of a given country only if all the current input parameter values used in this report
are replaced by the values which apply to that specific country (as described in the methodology itself).
There is a user guide on the methodology as “User guide for the IMT spectrum requirement estimation tool”
in the ITU-R WP5D web-page whose address is http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/study-
groups/rsg5/rwp5d/Pages/default.aspx. As described in the guide, the methodology of estimating the spectrum
requirements for IMT is implemented in MS Excel as a Spectrum Calculator tool to facilitate its use. The tool
is also available under the “reference” of the ITU-R WP 5D web-page for users with TIES (Telecommunication
Information Exchange Service) accounts.
The tool consists of 27 worksheets and seven modules of macros. The worksheets present input parameter
values, intermediate calculation results obtained from worksheet calculations and macro calculations, and the
final spectrum requirements. The tool is executed from its opening sheet called “Main”, which is the core of
the tool.
Figure 22 hereunder shows the relationship between the methodology flow chart and the corresponding
worksheets in the “Spectrum Calculator” tool as well as the different input parameters to the methodology
calculation steps. The worksheets with a grey background colour in Figure 22 denote the locations in the tool
where the input parameter values are inserted. The worksheets with a white background colour in Figure 22
are where the actual calculation is implemented including intermediate calculation results. For further
information please refer to the user guide.
FIGURE 22
Input parameters, methodology flow chart and corresponding worksheets
in the ‘Spectrum Calculator’ tool
5 Regulatory issues
5.1 Institutional aspects and arrangements
To facilitate the successful deployment of IMT systems, the policy to make the spectrum available to the
market should be clearly stated. In order to guarantee that the spectrum policy is aligned with the country’s
main objectives, it is important that telecommunications should figure on country’s main agenda. In this way,
regulators and other government institutions will have the necessary support to conduct their activities.
Another important aspect that can foster IMT deployment is related to the institution arrangements for policy
delivery. The agency responsible for the spectrum policy should pay close attention to the role of each
government agent (national and subnational) as well as other market stakeholders. It is also important to avoid
responsibility overlap or gaps in order to facilitate the achievement of goals, diminish tension between
institutions, and encourage agreements.
In addition, all stakeholders should have a clear understanding of the decision-making process. This could be
accomplished through the development of a code of practice for the decision-making process, enabling both
regulators and operators to have a clear understanding of how regulatory decisions are made, and any
applicable processes for appealing such decisions.
5.2 Transparency and stakeholder involvement

In order to ensure that regulatory and policy decisions are made in the best interest of all, an open and public
decision-making process should be used. This has two main benefits. First, by using a process that provides
for public review and comment of proposed regulations and decisions, policymakers and regulators ensure that
the regulatory and policy regime is not developed in a vacuum, and that current and expected future mobile
market developments are considered. Policymakers, operators and vendors each have unique insights on the
mobile market that, when considered together, have the best chance of developing a mobile sector based on
international best practices and up-to-date market and technology intelligence.
Second, an open and public policy development process will lead to greater transparency, a key characteristic
of any good decision-making process. By soliciting input from stakeholders and the public at large, and
ensuring that industry plays a central role in the development of policies and priorities, regulators have an
increased likelihood of crafting a regulatory and policy regime that is supported by most, if not all, interested
parties. There are various approaches to including private sector stakeholders in the regulatory process,
including standing advisory panels or groups, public consultations, and targeted solicitation of inputs, none of
which are mutually exclusive. The close cooperation of regulators and industry is crucial to the development
of a robust regulatory regime as well as a successful mobile industry.
5.3 Market knowledge

In order to develop good IMT spectrum policy, it is important for regulators and government institutions to
know the actual market status and the community needs. To know the needs, the governments can conduct
surveys, collect data through public consultations, and other feedback instruments that enable the market and
the society to show their opinions and needs. This process can enhance government’s decision making process,
improving the effectiveness and quality of the public policies.
Besides, government agencies may also take into account cultural aspects, social conditions,
and demographical disparities, since these aspects may influence the development of spectrum policy
instruments.
5.4 Spectrum licensing

5.4.1 IMT licensing considerations
Many considerations may impact IMT licensing conditions including the following:
– Technology requirements
– Coverage/roll-out obligations
– Timing of license assignments
– Duration of licenses
– Spectrum block size
– Number of operators
– Infrastructure sharing
– Number portability.
5.4.2 IMT licensing principles and methods

Many methods of assigning spectrum licenses exist. These methods follow two approaches: 1) non-market
based assignments such as comparative process (also known as beauty contests) and lotteries 2) market-based
approaches such as auctions. In cases of limited demand for a particular frequency band in a particular
geographic area, first-come first served licensing may also be considered. Licensing is a national prerogative
and each country must decide what methodology is appropriate for the conditions that exist within its legal,
regulatory, and market framework.
To the maximum practical extend, spectrum should be licensed in alignment with regionally and internationally
harmonized mobile spectrum bands to enable economies of scale, reduce cross-border interference and
facilitate international services. Also, licensing authorities should publish roadmaps of the planned release of
additional spectrum bands to maximize the benefits of spectrum use. A spectrum roadmap should take a long-
term and holistic approach and include a comprehensive and reasonably detailed inventory of current use.
Furthermore, transferable and flexible spectrum rights may also be considered when assigning spectrum
licenses. According to Report ITU-R SM.2012, “... economists recommend that spectrum users be allowed to
transfer their spectrum rights (whether assigned by auction or some other assignment mechanism) and that
spectrum users have a high degree of flexibility in the choice of the consumer services that they provide with
their spectrum.”
For more information on spectrum assignment methods, see section 2.3.1 of Report ITU-R SM.2012.
5.5 IMT spectrum clearing (including re-farming) guidelines

Recommendation ITU-R SM.1603-1 – Spectrum redeployment as a method of national spectrum management,
gives guidelines for spectrum redeployment issues. This Recommendation defines spectrum redeployment
(also known as spectrum re-farming) as “a combination of administrative, financial and technical measures
aimed at removing users or equipment of the existing frequency assignments either completely or partially
from a particular frequency band. The frequency band may then be allocated to the same or different service(s).
These measures may be implemented in short, medium or long time-scales.” The Recommendation also
provides a guide for national consideration of redeployment issues.
5.6 Global circulation of terminals

The global circulation of terminals allows users to carry their personal terminals into a visited country and the
ability to use them wherever possible. Recommendation ITU-R M.1579 establishes the technical basis for
global circulation of IMT 2000 terrestrial terminals, based on terminals not causing harmful interference in
any country where they circulate. Further information can be found in Recommendation ITU-R M.1579 –
Global circulation of IMT-2000 terrestrial terminals.
5.7 Unwanted emissions

Information regarding unwanted emissions can be found in Recommendation ITU-R M.1580 – Generic
unwanted emission characteristics of base stations using the terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT-2000, and
Recommendation ITU-R M.1581 – Generic unwanted emission characteristics of mobile stations using the
terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT-2000. In addition, information on IMT-Advanced can be found in
Recommendation ITU-R M.2070 – Generic unwanted emission characteristics of base stations using the
terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT-Advanced, and Recommendation ITU-R M.2071 – Generic unwanted
emission characteristics of mobile stations using the terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT-Advanced.
6 Steps to consider in the deployment of IMT systems
6.1 Key issues and questions to be considered prior to IMT network deployment
Key issues to be considered are as follows:
– Spectrum Harmonization
– Maturity of the technology to be introduced
– Device availability and affordability
– Market evolution directions
– Radio Interface standards referring to ITU-R Recommendations and Reports
– Demographics and services (e.g. support of new services and applications)
– Time frame for transition
– Assistance to customer in changeover to new technology
– Compatibility with incumbent telecommunication systems.
6.2 Migration of existing wireless systems to IMT
6.2.1 Migration strategy
There are some issues to be considered when planning the migration from GSM to IMT. These issues are as
follows:
– Amount of existing wireless system (e.g. GSM) spectrum available
– Traffic balance between low band (e.g. GSM 850/900 MHz) and high band (e.g. GSM –
1 800/1 900 MHz)
– Solutions to increase GSM’s network capacity: Voice services over Adaptive Multi-user channels
on One Slot (VAMOS), Orthogonal Sub-channels (OSC), tight frequency reuse, etc.
– Voice traffic migration to IMT (e.g. UMTS/LTE)
– Re-farming technology decisions (e.g. Introduction of HSPA/LTE to GSM 850/900 MHz and
GSM 1 800/1 900 MHz)
– Re-farming roadmap (e.g. gradual introduction of IMT to GSM bands or re-farming of both GSM
850/900 MHz and GSM 1 800/1 900 MHz at the same time).
6.2.2 General migration process
The Spectrum migration consists of a solution which reduces the spectrum needed to a desired limit without
compromising on performance of the existing network, which can be structured in five phases and activities
as outlined below and summarized in Figure 23.
FIGURE 23
Spectrum Migration Solution overview
Feasibility study
The main target of this phase is to evaluate if the migration can be done within the acceptance criteria
(i.e. agreed KPI levels for amount of spectrum to be released). The first task is to define the required spectrum
reduction, typically dependent on the following factors:
– Operator restrictions
– Maturity of the network
– Expected traffic growth
– Network evolution
Pre re-farming actions
In this phase, using output from the feasibility study, a complete set of actions will be proposed in order to
establish the best baseline scenario for the implementation of a new frequency plan after the spectrum carving.
These actions typically includes RF Optimization and RRM Optimization.
There are several functions which can be used to aid in the achievement of the objectives (capacity, interference
and traffic management). These functions will reduce the interference levels or improve the network’s ability
to cope with the increased interference.
Frequency plan elaboration and implementation
In this phase the final frequency will be implemented guided by the strategies defined in the previous phase.
This phase includes the following parts:
– Frequency Plan
– Updated Neighbour List
– Fall-back plan
– Fall back to the previous frequency plan
– A fast reactive process to identify and troubleshoot the worst performing sectors
Post re-farming actions
A second round of optimization actions may be proposed after the implementation of the Re-farmed frequency
plan. In order to understand the real scope of this phase, a Performance Analysis must be carried for two main
reasons:
– Ensure no severe degradation is present post-Re-farming. If this is the case, then a fall-back plan
will be auctioned.
– Acknowledge the necessary actions to be carried out in order to meet the agreed Acceptance
criteria.
Performance assessment
After Implementation, the network will be monitored mainly through the Operational Support Systems (OSS)-
based tool. Other tools may be also utilized for specific monitoring tasks.
6.2.3 Some case studies
Operators in Europe and Asia are re-farming parts of their GSM spectrum to allow new technology
introduction. The general trend has been to re-use 900 MHz for IMT-2000 and 1 800 MHz for IMT. The driver
for IMT-2000 in 900 MHz is to improve coverage since low frequency spectrum has better coverage
characteristics compared with the higher frequencies thereby allowing both deeper and broader coverage. The
device eco-system for 900 MHz is also very strong.
In many markets, the motivation for deploying IMT in their existing 1 800 MHz band is a combination of
capacity relief and to demonstrate market leadership by launching IMT services before new spectrum, such as
2 600 MHz, is available. The device eco-system for IMT in 1 800 is also very strong, particularly at the high
end of the market.
6.2.3.1 General scenarios
The ultimate arrangement that mobile broadband networks will take, will vary from case to case. As an
illustration of the possible alternative routes that could be taken by three different operators, Figures 24 and 25
show the start points and end points of the evolution to a high-performance mobile broadband network using
different radio-access technologies.
FIGURE 24
Starting frequency band assignment and technology deployment for the operator
FIGURE 25
Evolved frequency band allocation and deployment for the operator
Typical European frequencies are used to illustrate the strategies for this evolution.
Scenario 1: This operator has no early access to either 2 600 MHz or 800 MHz spectrum for IMT (e.g. LTE).
Here, the first step is to re-farm the 900 MHz spectrum to IMT-2000 (e.g. HSPA) in order to boost IMT-2000
coverage and capacity, especially in rural areas. As GSM traffic diminishes as a result of the greater IMT-2000
(e.g. HSPA) capacity, the operator can re-farm the 1 800 MHz spectrum either for IMT (e.g. LTE) or
IMT-2000 (e.g. HSPA) to provide high-performance mobile broadband in urban and suburban areas. The
technology choice will depend on the operator’s market position, the current and projected device fleet, the
ability to serve mass-market volumes of IMT-2000 (e.g. HSPA) smartphones in existing 3GPP bands, and the
availability of other bands for IMT (e.g. LTE). In this scenario, the operator is able to roll out IMT (e.g. LTE)
in other bands as it becomes available.
Scenario 2: This operator has already deployed IMT-2000 (e.g. WCDMA/HSPA) in the 900 MHz, as well as
in the 2 100 MHz band. The total spectrum in these deployments is sufficient to cater for mass IMT-2000
(e.g. HSPA) smartphone uptake. By driving the uptake of IMT-2000 capable devices that use IMT-2000 access
for voice and data, and rolling out GSM efficiency improvements, GSM traffic can be served within the
900 MHz spectrum. This frees up the 1 800 MHz spectrum for IMT (e.g. LTE) deployment.
Scenario 3: This operator has early access to 2 600 MHz spectrum for IMT (e.g. LTE), as well as the option
for rolling out IMT (e.g. LTE) in the Digital Dividend 800 MHz band (made available following the shutdown
of Europe’s analogue TV networks). The operator’s first step is to re-farm 900 MHz spectrum to IMT-2000
(e.g. WCDMA/HSPA) to provide wider and deeper IMT-2000 coverage and capacity, especially for rural and
indoor areas. Increasing use of IMT-2000 (e.g. WCDMA/HSPA) in the wide area gradually reduces load on
the GSM/EDGE network.
In addition, the operator deploys IMT (e.g. LTE) in the 2 600 MHz band in urban hotspots to provide a high-
speed mobile-broadband service to complement the IMT-2000 (e.g. HSPA) access. After this, the operator
rolls out IMT (e.g. LTE) in the 800 MHz band to provide high-performance broadband in the wide area,
including rural areas.
Ultimately, when GSM traffic has diminished significantly, the operator can re-farm the 1 800 MHz spectrum
for IMT (e.g. LTE) as well to provide a further capacity and boost coverage. Alternatively, if the need for
additional IMT-2000 (e.g. HSPA) capacity is more pressing at this time, the operator has the option of
deploying IMT-2000 (e.g. HSPA) in the 1 800 MHz spectrum.
6.2.3.2 One example of network migration to LTE 1800

One operator in Australia’s key strategies following the 2006 launch of its WCDMA network was a concerted
effort to move GSM users to the new network. Many factors lay behind this strategy, including network
rationalization, coherent branding and operational efficiency. To provide incentives for users to move to
IMT-2000, the operator relied on a variety of options, such as free handset upgrades and attractive “no
premium” pricing plans. As users moved to more advanced technology, they became more likely to adopt new
services. But perhaps the most significant outcome was operator’s ability to “empty” its GSM network and re-
farm the 1 800 MHz spectrum to launch Australia’s first LTE network in September 2011.
Since the network launch, the volume of traffic in this operator’s mobile network has doubled every year.
In late 2010, through a capacity modelling tool, the operator forecast that the network capacity would run out
before the new 700 MHz spectrum – primed for LTE – became available. So something had to be done – and
fast.
Spectrum re-farming was not new to this operator. It had already successfully introduced WCDMA on
re-farmed 850 MHz and built a healthy ecosystem in the process. In pioneering a global 1 800 MHz LTE
ecosystem, the operator took the same approach, playing an active role by working in conjunction with
infrastructure suppliers, device and chipset manufacturers and industry bodies. Today, 1 800 MHz has become
the most popular LTE band worldwide.
When this operator launched the nation’s first LTE network, it was seen by industry observers as a six month
head start on competitors that could consolidate the company’s already dominant position. The launch was as
much a result of the operator’s engineering strategy as of its business strategy.
For additional information related to the migration please refer to Annex G – Technology migration in a given
frequency band.
6.2.3.3 Example of network migration to IMT in 900 MHz band

In Viet Nam, UMTS systems have been deployed in the 2 100 MHz band. Due to high deployment cost of the
UMTS 2 100 MHz in rural areas of Viet Nam, mobile broadband services in these areas were not adequate.
Recently, operators showed strong demand to deploy mobile broadband systems in GSM 900 MHz band for
rural coverage mainly because of excellent propagation characteristic and low deployment cost. As GSM
900 MHz systems have national coverage, it is quite efficient to reuse the existing infrastructure for IMT
systems in the same band.
The requests from operators triggered re-assessment of frequency planning from the Ministry of Information
and Communications as Frequency Planning for this band is for GSM systems only. Operators were notified
that the Ministry would re-consider the planning for 900 MHz band. Operators holding licenses in the 900 MHz
band were allowed to carry out IMT systems trials in small scale in the same band. Operators chose to trial
UMTS in the 900 MHz.
Operators’ trial report showed excellent UMTS coverage, comparable data service with UMTS service in
2 100 MHz band, and all Key Performance Indicators were met.
Measurements of the quality of the existing GSM service indicated that there was no degradation in GSM’s
voice services.
At the same time, the Ministry had comprehensively studied the planning of 900 MHz band for IMT. The
result was that it would be beneficial to the society as a whole, especially for rural areas, to deploy IMT in
900 MHz band. The Ministry distributed public request for comment of the new policy and organized
workshop to have operators’ opinion.
With the success of operators’ trial results and consensus responses of stakeholders, the Ministry enforced a
new circular to allow the operators holding 900 MHz license to deploy IMT system in the same band.
The Ministry also informed the operators with the intention of long term frequency arrangement for IMT
900 MHz following 5 MHz blocks plan.
The operators were directed to follow the 5 MHz block plan as much as practical to avoid unnecessary cost
and rearrangement issues in the future.
Figure 26 illustrates the IMT carrier arrangement in the 900 MHz band co-existing with GSM.
FIGURE 26
Example of re-farming 900 MHz band in the transition phase
6.3 Choice of technology in the identified IMT bands
6.3.1 IMT technology considerations

It is important to consider bandwidth, coverage and capacity requirements when intending to implement a new
IMT system. Considering various deployment possibilities, aggregation of spectrum used separately for FDD
or TDD operations may be an efficient method to increase the utilization of the spectrum resource. FDD and
TDD aggregation needs to be able to operate in the following scenarios:
– Multiple carriers on co-located sites, part of which are FDD carriers and the rest are TDD carriers.
– Different types of carriers on different sites, e.g. FDD carrier on macro sites, and TDD carriers
on small cells.
For development of systems that can support FDD and TDD aggregation, techniques must be developed to
enable legacy user equipment (UE) that operates on either FDD or TDD networks to be able to work on the
FDD-TDD aggregated network. Eventually future-evolved UE that support FDD and TDD aggregation could
enjoy the increased peak data rate.
For more information on criteria leading to technology decisions, please refer to section 7.
6.3.2 Satellite component of IMT

IMT consists of both terrestrial component and satellite component radio interfaces. The terrestrial and satellite
components are complementary, with the terrestrial component providing coverage over areas of land mass
with population density considered to be large enough for economic provision of terrestrially-based systems,
and the satellite component providing service elsewhere by a virtually global coverage, especially with strength
in providing coverage in the sea, islands, mountainous districts, and sparsely-populated areas. The ubiquitous
coverage of IMT can therefore be realized using a combination of satellite and terrestrial radio interfaces.
The satellite component of IMT encompasses both IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced. The radio interfaces for the
satellite component of IMT-2000 are identified in Recommendation ITU-R M.1850-1, including:
– Satellite radio interface A (SRI-A)
– Satellite radio interface B (SRI-B)
– Satellite radio interface D (SRI-D)
– Satellite radio interface E (SRI-E)
– Satellite radio interface F (SRI-F)
– Satellite radio interface G (SRI-G)
– Satellite radio interface H (SRI-H).
The radio interfaces for the satellite component of IMT-Advanced have been developed by ITU-R. Two radio
interfaces are identified:
– BMSat
– SAT-OFDM.
For more information on radio interfaces for the satellite component of IMT-Advanced, please refer to
Recommendation ITU-R M.2047 – Detailed specifications of the satellite radio interfaces of International
Mobile Telecommunications-Advanced (IMT-Advanced), and to Report ITU-R M.2279 – Outcome of the
evaluation, consensus building and decision of the IMT-Advanced satellite process (Steps 4 to 7), including
characteristics of IMT-Advanced satellite radio interfaces.
The specifications of the radio interfaces for the satellite component of IMT could also be adopted by other
MSS systems and applied in other bands for MSS.
6.4 Deployment planning

A key to supporting the increasing data requirements of IMT systems is the provision of sufficient backhaul
capacity to avoid the creation of a bottleneck. Fibre and wireless systems both have roles to play in backhaul
of IMT data. Fibre has a greater capacity and typically lower operating expenses, while wireless backhaul is
quicker and easier to install, especially in the case where many small cells are being connected. In addition,
wireless technologies have the potential to provide lower latencies given the difference in propagation speeds
between fibre and wireless.
Although the proportion of data traffic backhauled by fibre is increasing, the absolute number of fixed wireless
backhaul links is nevertheless increasing rapidly, particularly systems comprising a small number of hops in
support of small mobile cells in urban and other high usage areas.
For more detailed information on the design of wireless backhaul systems please refer to Annex D –
Description of Wireless Backhaul Systems.
7 Criteria leading to technology decisions
7.1 Spectrum implications, channelization and bandwidth considerations

The current availability of frequency bands and amount of bandwidth differs across Member States and regions
and this leads to many challenges such as roaming, device complexity, lack of economics of scale, and
interference. It is recognized that finding and assigning contiguous, broader and harmonized frequency bands
which are aligned with future technology development can reduce these challenges.
Also, pursuing greater harmonization with larger contiguous frequency bands will support continued
introduction of mobile devices with longer battery life while improving spectrum efficiency; and potentially
reducing cross border interference.
Flexible spectrum usage can provide technical solutions to address the growing traffic demand in the future
and allow more efficient use of radio resources including the limited spectrum resources. Flexible spectrum
usage can improve the frequency efficiency, which includes aspects such as cognitive radio
techniques, Authorized Shared Access (ASA), and joint management of multiple radio access technologies
(RATs).
7.2 Importance of multi-mode/multi-band solutions

The increasing availability of multi-radio mobile devices has fuelled a growing trend towards exploiting
multiple RATs to address capacity as well as connectivity limitations. Integration of multiple radio access
technologies could help seamlessly integrate the new spectrum bands, existing licensed bands, and unlicensed
bands to meet capacity and service demands and provide better user experience.
Multi-radio networks also offer an opportunity for future IMT systems to support all footprints: wide area
networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), and personal area networks (PANs) in a fashion that is
transparent to the end user.
7.3 Technology development path

ITU-R WP 5D has a process in place to continually revise Recommendations ITU-R M.1457, ITU-R M.2012
and ITU-R M.2150 as several technologies have and will continue to introduce technological advancements
to both established and more recent IMT systems. Member States can follow these advancements in many
ways including tracking the latest revisions of these Recommendations. Advances in the mobile industry have
been significant over the past decade and the ability to introduce these technologies advancements quickly
have contributed to the significant growth in mobile broadband data usage.
7.4 Backhaul considerations

In this context backhaul means the aggregate of all the traffic being transported to the core network. As traffic
demands for mobile broadband communications increases, backhaul is increasingly becoming an important
infrastructure in the IMT network architecture that requires special consideration. Backhaul performance not
only affects the data throughput available to users, but also the overall performance of the radio-access
network.
High performance backhaul with low latency enables tighter coordination between nodes, which in turn uses
available spectrum more efficiently. Networks with large numbers of (small) cell sites require backhaul
solutions that can use a selection of physical transmission media, including microwave, fibre and wireless
connectivity.
Backhaul solutions should not limit the radio access network, which means that there should be adequate
backhaul capacity provision at the network cell sites. In addition, backhaul solutions should have sufficient
end-to end performance to meet the desired user quality of experience (QoE) everywhere for the provision of
mobile broadband.
7.5 Technology neutrality
With the rapid changes and developments occurring in the mobile sector, a technology neutral approach in
developing policies and regulations for the wireless communications sector will support the continued and
robust growth of mobile broadband which will directly benefit the entire community, both the public and
private sectors. Policies and regulations that mandate or only address specific technology solutions frequently
become impediments for continued growth, limit competition and stifle innovation.
Annex A 57
ANNEX A
Abbreviations, acronyms, interface and reference points
A.1 Abbreviations and acronyms

ACI Adjacent Channel Interference
ACLR Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio
ACS Adjacent Channel Selectivity
A-GPS Assisted GPS
ANSI American National Standard Institute
ARIB Association of Radio Industries and Businesses
ATIS Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
AuC Authentication centre
B2B Business to Business
BCCH Broadcast Control Channel
BSC Base Station Controller
BSSAP Base Station Subsystem Application Part
BSS Base station system
BTS Base Transceiver Station
CAGR Compound annual growth rate
CCSA China Communications Standards Association
CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
CEPT European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
CGI Computer-generated imagery
CGI Cell Global Identifier
CI Cell Identity
CID Cell ID
CN Core network
CS-MGW Circuit switched – Media gateway function
DCCH Dedicated Control Channel
CDR Call-detail Record
DECT Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications
DL Downlink
DME Distance Measuring Equipment
EB Exabyte
EDGE Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution
EGPRS Enhanced GPRS
eHRPD Evolved High Rate Packet Data

EHS Electromagnetic Hyper Sensitivity
EIA Electronic Industries Association
E interface mobile switching centre server (MSC server) – mobile switching centre server (MSC
server)
EIR Equipment Identity Register
eNB enhanced Node B
EPC Evolved Packet Core
E-SMLC Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centre
ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute
E-UTRAN Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network
FDD Frequency Division Duplex
FDMA Frequency Division Multiple Access
GGSN Gateway GPRS Support Node
GMLC Gateway Mobile Location Centre
GMSC Gateway mobile Switching Centre
GPRS General Packet Radio System / General Packet Radio Service
GPS Global Positioning System
GSA Global Mobile Suppliers Association
GSM Global System for Mobile Communications
GSMA GSM Association
GT Global Title
HLR Home Location Register
HPCRF PCRF in the home PLMN
HRPD High Rate Packet Data
HSPA High Speed Packet Access
HSS Home Subscriber Server
ICIC Inter-Cell Interference Coordination
ICT Information and Communication Technology
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IOS Interoperability Specification
IP Internet Protocol
ISO International Organization for Standardization
IWU Interworking Unit
KPI Key Performance Indicator
LAC Location Area Code
LBS Location Based Services
Annex A 59
L-DACS L-band Digital Aeronautical Communication

LLC Logical Link Control
LMH-BWA Land Mobile (including Wireless Access) – Volume 5: Deployment of Broadband
Wireless Access Systems
LMU Location Measurement Unit
LTE Long Term Evolution
MAC Medium Access Controller
MC Multi-Carrier
MCC Mobile Country Code
MCL Minimum Coupling Loss
ME Mobile Equipment
M2M Machine-to-Machine
MME Mobility Management Entity
MNC Mobile Network Code
MSC Mobile Switching Centre (also appears as “Mobile-services Switching Centre”)
MSCe Mobile Switching Centre emulation
NAS Non-Access-Stratum
NMR Network Management Reports
OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
OFDMA Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access
O&M Operation and Maintenance
OOBE Out-Of-Band Emission
OSC Orthogonal Sub-channels
OSI Open System Interconnection
OSS Operational Support Systems
O-TDOA Observed Time Difference of Arrival
PB Petabyte
PCRF Policy and Charging Rules Function
PDCP Packet Data Convergence Protocol
PDN Packet Data Network
PDN GW gateway which terminates the SGi interface towards the PDN
PHY Physical Layer
PLMN Public Land Mobile Network
PPDR Public Protection and Disaster Relief
PS Packet Switched
PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
QoS Quality of Service
RBS Radio Base Station
RF Radio Frequency
RFPM RF Pattern Printing
RIT Radio Interface Technology
RLC Radio Link Controller
RNC Radio Network Controller
RNS Radio Network Subsystem (also appears as "Radio Network System")
RR Radio Regulations
RRC Radio Resource Controller
RRM Radio Resource Management
RSVP Resource Reservation Protocol
RTT Radio Transmission Technologies
RTT Round Trip Time
SDO Standard Development Organization
SDU Selection/Distribution Unit; Service Data Unit
SGSN serving GPRS support node
S-GW Serving Gateway
SIM GSM Subscriber Identity Module; Specialised Information Model
SLP SUPL Location Platform
SMLC Serving Mobile Location Centre
SMS Short Message Service
SMS-GMSC SMS gateway MSC
SMS-IWMSC SMS Interworking MSC
STP Signalling Transfer Point
SUPL Secure User Plane Location
TA Timing Advance
TCH Traffic Channel
TDD Time Division Duplex
TDMA Time Division Multiple Access
TDMA-SC Time Division Multiple Access – Single Carrier
TD-SCDMA Time Division Synchronous CDMA
TIA Telecommunications Industry Association
TOM Tunnelling Of Messages
TTA Telecommunications Technology Association
TTC Telecommunication Technology Committee
UE User Equipment
UL Uplink
UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
Annex A 61
USIM Universal Subscriber Identity Module

U-TDOA Uplink Time Difference of Arrival
UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network
UWC Universal Wireless Communications Consortium
VAMOS Voice services over Adaptive Multi-user channels on One Slot
VLR Visitor location register
VPCRF PCRF in the visited PLMN
WCDMA Wideband CDMA
WMAN Wireless Metropolitan Area Networking
A.2 Interface
A mobile switching centre (MSC) – base station system (BSS)
Abis base station controller (BSC) – base transceiver station (BTS)
A1 carries signalling information between the call control and mobility management functions of the
circuit-switched MSC and the call control component of the BS (BSC).
A1p carries signalling information between the call control and mobility management functions of the
MSCe and the call control component of the BS (BSC).
A2 provides a path for user traffic and carries 64/56 kbit/s PCM information (for circuit-oriented
voice) or 64 kbit/s Unrestricted Digital Information (UDI, for ISDN) between the Switch
component of the circuit-switched MSC and the Selection/Distribution Unit (SDU) function of
the BS.
A2p provides a path for packet-based user traffic sessions and carries voice information via IP packets
between the MGW and the BS.
A3 transports user traffic and signalling for inter-BS soft/softer handoff when a target BS is attached
to the frame selection function within the source BS.
A5 provides a path for user traffic for circuit-oriented data calls between the source BS and the circuit-
switched MSC.
A7 carries signalling information between a source BS and a target BS for inter-BS soft/softer
handoff.
A8 carries user traffic between the BS and the PCF.
A9 carries signalling information between the BS and the PCF.
A10 carries user traffic between the PCF and the PDSN.
A11 carries signalling information between the PCF and the PDSN
B an internal interface defined for modelling purposes
C Gateway mobile switching centre server (GMSC server) – Home location register
(HLR)
D visitor location register (VLR) – home location register (HLR)
F mobile switching centre server (MSC server) – equipment identity register (EIR)
G visitor location register (VLR) – visitor location register (VLR)
Gb serving GPRS support node (SGSN) – base station system (BSS)
Gc home location register (HLR) – gateway GPRS support node (GGSN)
Gd interface between the SGSN and the SMS Gateway
Gf equipment identity register (EIR) – serving GPRS support node (SGSN)
Gn gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) – serving GPRS support node (SGSN)
Gp serving GPRS support node (SGSN) – external data network

Gr home location register (HLR) – serving GPRS support node (SGSN)
Gs mobile switching centre (MSC)/visitor location register (VLR) – serving GPRS support node
(SGSN)
Gxc S-GW – PCRF/VPCRF
Iu communication interface between the RNC and the Core Network Interface (Mobile switching
centre and Serving GPRS Support Node).
Iub RNC – Node B
IuCS mobile switching centre (MSC) – RNS or BSS
IuPS serving GPRS support node (SGSN) – RNS or BSS
Iur A logical interface between two RNC whilst logically representing a point-to- point link between
RNC, the physical realization may not be a point-to-point link.
Lb/Iupc interface between SMLC and RSC/RNC
Lg/SLg interface between GMLC and MSC/MME
Lh/SLh interface between GMLC and HLR/HSS
S1 standardized interface between eNB – the Evolved Packet Core (EPC).
S1-MME MME – E-UTRAN
S1-u interface connecting the eNB to the S-GW by means of the user-plane part
S1-c interface connecting the eNB to the MME by means of the control-plane part
S3 MME – SGSN
S4 S-GW – SGSN
S5 S-GW – PDN GW
S6a MME – HSS
S6d home location register (HLR) – serving GPRS support node (SGSN)
S8 S-GW – PDN GW S8 (the inter-PLMN variant of S5)
S9 HPCRF – VPCRF
S10 MME – MME
S11 MME – S-GW
SLs interface between E-SMLC and MME
Um air interface between BTS and MS
Uu Radio interface between UTRAN and the user equipment
X2 supporting the exchange of signalling information between two eNBs, and mainly used to support
active-mode mobility.
A.3 Reference point

B interface between MSC and the VLR
C interface between the MSC and the HLR
D interface between the VLR and HLR
d interface between an IAP and the DF
D1 interface between the OTAF and the VLR
Di interface between:
– The IP and the ISDN
– The IWF and the ISDN
Annex A 63
– The MSC and the ISDN [ESBE]

– The SN and the ISDN
E interface between the MSC and the MSC
E3 interface between the MPC and the MSC
E5 interface between the MPC and the PDE
E9 interface between the MPC and the SCP
E11 interface between the CRDB and the MPC
E12 interface between the MSC and the PDE
e interface between the CF and the DF
F interface between the MSC and the EIR
G interface between the VLR and the VLR
Gi GGSN – packet data networks
Gx PCEF – PCRF/H-PCRF/V-PCRF
H interface between the HLR and the AC
I interface between the CDIS and the CDGP
J interface between the CDGP and the CDCP
K interface between the CDGP and the CDRP
M1 interface between the SME and the MC
M2 MC to MC interface
M3 SME to SME interface
Mc mobile switching centre server (MSC Server) –circuit switched media gateway (CS-MGW)
N interface between the HLR and the MC
N1 interface between the HLR and the OTAF
Nb circuit switched media gateway (CS-MGW) – circuit switched media gateway (CS-MGW)
Nc mobile switching centre server (MSC server) – gateway mobile switching centre server
(GMSC server)
O1 interface between an MWNE and the OSF
O2 interface between an OSF and the OSF
Pi interface between:
– The AAA and the AAA,
– The AAA and the PDN,
– The IWF and the PDN,
– The MSC and the PDN, plus
– The PDSN and the PDN.
Q interface between the MC and the MSC
Q1 interface between the MSC and the OTAF
Rx the application function – the policy and charging rule function (PCRF)
S12 S-GW – UTRAN
S13 MME – EIR
SGi PDN GW – packet data networks
T1 interface between the MSC and the SCP
T2 interface between the HLR and the SCP
T3 interface between the IP and the SCP
T4 interface between the HLR and the SN
T5 interface between the IP and the MSC
T6 interface between the MSC and the SN
T7 interface between the SCP and the SN
T8 interface between the SCP and the SCP
T9 interface between the HLR and the IP
V interface between the OTAF and the OTAF
X interface between the CSC and the OTAF
Y interface between a Wireless Network Entity (WNE) and the IWF
Z interface between the MSC and the NPDB
Z1 interface between the MSC and the VMS
Z2 interface between the HLR and the VMS
Z3 interface between the MC and the VMS

Annex B 65
ANNEX B
Reference publications
B.1 ITU publications
B.1.1 ITU Recommendations

Terrestrial IMT Recommendations:
– Recommendation ITU-R M.687 – International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000)
– Recommendation ITU-R M.819 – International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000)
for developing countries
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1036 – Frequency arrangements for implementation of the Terrestrial
component of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in the bands identified for IMT
in the Radio Regulations (RR
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1079 – Performance and quality of service requirements for
International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT 2000) access networks
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1224 – Vocabulary of terms for International Mobile
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1456 – Minimum performance characteristics and operational
conditions for high altitude platform stations providing IMT-2000 in the bands 1 885-1 980 MHz,
2 010-2 025 MHz and 2 110-2 170 MHz in Regions 1 and 3 and 1 885-1 980 MHz and
2 110-2 160 MHz in Region 2
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1457 – Detailed specifications of the terrestrial radio interfaces of
International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000)
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1545 – Measurement uncertainty as it applies to test limits for the
terrestrial component of International Mobile Telecommunications-2000
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1580 – Generic unwanted emission characteristics of base stations
using the terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT 2000
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1581 – Generic unwanted emission characteristics of mobile stations
using the terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT 2000
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1579 – Global circulation of IMT terrestrial terminals
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1635 – General methodology for assessing the potential for
interference between IMT-2000 or systems beyond IMT-2000 and other services
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1641 – A methodology for co-channel interference evaluation to
determine separation distance from a system using HAPS to a cellular system to provide
IMT-2000 service
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1645 – Framework and overall objectives of the future development
of IMT-2000 and systems beyond IMT-2000
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1646 – Parameters to be used in co-frequency sharing and pfd
threshold studies between terrestrial IMT-2000 and BSS (sound) in the 2 630-2 655 MHz band
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1654 – A methodology to assess interference from broadcasting
satellite service (sound) into terrestrial IMT 2000 systems intending to use the band
2 630-2 655 MHz
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1768 – Methodology for calculation of spectrum for the terrestrial
component of International Mobile Telecommunications
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1822 – Framework for services supported by IMT

International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced (IMT-Advanced)
– Recommendation ITU-R M.2070 – Generic unwanted emission characteristics of base stations
using the terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT-Advanced
– Recommendation ITU-R M.2071 – Generic unwanted emission characteristics of mobile stations
using the terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT-Advanced
– Recommendation ITU-R M.2083 – IMT Vision – "Framework and overall objectives of the future
development of IMT for 2020 and beyond"
– Recommendation ITU-R M.2090 – Specific unwanted emission limit of IMT mobile stations
operating in the frequency band 694-790 MHz to facilitate protection of existing services in
Region 1 in the frequency band 470-694 MHz
– Recommendation ITU-R M.2101 – Modelling and simulation of IMT networks and systems for
use in sharing and compatibility studies
International Mobile Telecommunications-2020 (IMT-2020)
For more information please refer to the Guide to the use of the ITU-R texts relating to the terrestrial
component of IMT: https://www.itu.int/oth/R0A060000AA/en
B.1.2 ITU Reports

Terrestrial IMT (and other, related) Reports
– Report ITU-R M.2038 – Technology trends (as they relate to IMT-2000 and systems beyond
IMT-2000)
– Report ITU-R M.2039 – Characteristics of terrestrial IMT-2000 systems for frequency
sharing/interference analyses
– Report ITU-R M.2072 – World mobile telecommunication market forecast
– Report ITU-R M.2078 – Estimated spectrum bandwidth requirements for the future development
of IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced
– Report ITU-R M.2079 – Technical and operational information for identifying spectrum for the
terrestrial component of future development of IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced
– Report ITU-R M.2242 – Cognitive radio systems specific for IMT systems
– Report ITU-R M.2243 – Assessment of the global mobile broadband deployments and forecasts
for International Mobile Telecommunications
– Report ITU-R M.2375 – Architecture and topology of IMT networks
– Report ITU-R M.2410 – Minimum requirements related to technical performance for IMT-2020
radio interface(s)
– Report ITU-R M.2411 – Requirements, evaluation criteria and submission templates for the
development of IMT-2020
– Report ITU-R M.2412 – Guidelines for evaluation of radio interface technologies for IMT-2020
– Report ITU-R M.2499 – Synchronization of IMT-2020 Time Division Duplex networks
For more information please refer to the Guide to the use of the ITU-R texts relating to the terrestrial
component of IMT: https://www.itu.int/oth/R0A060000AA/en
B.1.3 ITU Handbooks

ITU-R and its Working Parties developed a number of ITU-R Handbooks as follows:
– Handbook on Amateur and amateur-satellite services (www.itu.int/pub/R-HDB-52)
– Handbook on Digital Radio-Relay Systems (www.itu.int/pub/R-HDB-24)
Annex B 67
– Handbook on Frequency adaptive communication systems and networks in the MF/HF bands
(www.itu.int/pub/R-HDB-40)
– Handbook on Land Mobile (including Wireless Access) Volume 1: Fixed Wireless Access
(www.itu.int/pub/R-HDB-25)
– Handbook on Land Mobile (including Wireless Access) Volume 2: Principles and Approaches
on Evolution to IMT-2000/FPLMTS (www.itu.int/pub/R-HDB-30)
– Handbook on Land Mobile (including Wireless Access) – Volume 3: Dispatch and Advanced
Messaging Systems (www.itu.int/pub/R-HDB-47)
– Handbook on Land Mobile (including Wireless Access) – Volume 4: Intelligent Transport
Systems (www.itu.int/pub/R-HDB-49)
– Handbook on Land Mobile (including Wireless Access) – Volume 5: Deployment of Broadband
Wireless Access Systems (www.itu.int/pub/R-HDB-57)
– Handbook on Migration to IMT-2000 Systems – Supplement 1 (Revision 1) of the Handbook on
Deployment of IMT-2000 Systems (www.itu.int/pub/R-HDB-46)
– Handbook on IMT-2000: Special Edition on CD-ROM (www.itu.int/pub/R-HDB- 37)
B.2 External publications
B.2.1 UMTS Forum Reports

– UMTS Forum Report 1, “A Regulatory Framework for UMTS”, 1997
– UMTS Forum Report 2, “The Path towards UMTS – Technologies for the Information Society”,
1998
– UMTS Forum Report 4, “Considerations of Licensing Conditions for UMTS Network
Operations”, 1998
– UMTS Forum Report 5, “Minimum Spectrum Demand per Public Terrestrial UMTS Operator in
the Initial Phase”, 1998
– UMTS Forum Report 6, UMTS/IMT-2000 Spectrum, 1998
– UMTS Forum Report 33, 3G Offered Traffic Characteristics, November 2003
– UMTS Forum Report 35, Mobile Market Evolution and Forecast: Long term sociological, social
and economical trends, June 2004
– UMTS Forum Report 36, Benefits of Mobile Communications for the Society, June 2004
– UMTS Forum Report 37, “Magic Mobile Future 2010-2020”, April 2005
– UMTS Forum Report 38, “Coverage Extension Bands for UMTS/IMT-2000 in the bands between
470-600 MHz”, January 2005
– UMTS Forum Report 39, “The Global Market for High Speed Packet Access (HSPA):
Quantitative and Qualitative analysis”, March 2006
– UMTS Forum Report 40, “Development of spectrum requirement forecasts for IMT-2000 and
systems beyond IMT-2000 (IMT-Advanced)”, January 2006
– UMTS Forum Report 41, “Market Potential for 3G LTE”, July 2007
– UMTS Forum Report 42, “LTE Mobile Broadband Ecosystem: the Global Opportunity”, June
2009
– UMTS Forum Report 43, “Two Worlds Connected: Consumer Electronics Meets Mobile
Broadband”, January 2011
– UMTS Forum Report 44, “Mobile Traffic Forecasts 2010-2020”, May 2011
– UMTS Forum White Paper “Spectrum for future development of IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced”,
2012
B.2.2 GSMA publications

– GSMA mobile policy handbook
– GSMA mobile economy series
– Learn mobile spectrum (April 2017)
– Spectrum policy dictionary (April 2017)
– Spectrum policy
– Wireless backhaul spectrum positions (February 2021)
– Spectrum sharing positions (June 2021)
– Expanding mobile coverage
– WRC-23 IMT Agenda Items
– 3.5 GHz for 5G (October 2021)
– 6 GHz capacity to power innovation
– WRC-23 low band capacity
– mmWave 5G regional spotlights (July 2019)
– Study on Socio-Economic Benefits of 5G Services Provided in mmWave Bands (December 2018)
– 26 GHz and 28 GHz for 5G
– L Band for mobile broadband
– GSMA driving the digital revolution with improved mobile coverage (September 2020)
– 5G spectrum guide
– 5G spectrum positions (March 2021)
– Estimating mid band spectrum needs (July 2021)
– Mobile networks industry verticals (July 2021)
– 5G TDD synchronisation (April 2020)
– Spectrum pricing policy positions (May 2021)
– Impact of spectrum prices on consumers (September 2019)
– Effective spectrum pricing (February 2017)
– Spectrum pricing in developing countries (July 2018)
– Spectrum leasing 5G Era (January 2022)
– Roadmaps for awarding 5G spectrum in the MENA region (January 2022)
– Roadmaps for 5G Spectrum: Sub-Saharan Africa (August 2021)
– 5G and the 3.3-3.8 GHz Range in Latin America (November 2020)
– Auction Best Practice GSMA Public Policy Position (September 2021)
Annex C 69
ANNEX C
Applications and services
C.1 Location based application and services

Location based application and services helps in determining the geographical position of a mobile
phone/device, and delivers the position to the application requesting this information. Location based systems
can be broadly divided into: a) network based; b) handset based and c) hybrid.
a) Network based: Network-based techniques utilize the service providerʼs network infrastructure
to identify the location of the handset. The advantage of network-based techniques (from mobile
operator's point of view) is that they can be implemented without specific support for LBS
(Location Based Services) from handsets. The accuracy of network-based techniques is dependent
on the inter site distance and number of neighbouring base station cells.
b) Handset based: The handset based technique generally uses GPS. In this case location
determination calculation is done by the handset, and thus location information is generally more
precise.
c) Hybrid positioning systems use a combination of network-based and handset-based technologies
for location determination. One example would be Assisted GPS, which uses both GPS and
network information to compute the location. Hybrid-based techniques give the best accuracy of
the two but inherit the limitations and challenges of network-based and handset-based
technologies.
C.1.1 Location accuracy techniques

The following are the location techniques:
– Cell Id
– Cell Id +TA/ Cell ID+RTT
– Enhanced Cell ID (ECID)
– RF Pattern Matching
– U-TDOA (LMU) based
– O-TDOA
– A-GPS
– Mix of one or more of above.
C.1.1.1 Cell ID
a) In this positioning mechanism, the serving cell of the target UE is translated to a geographical
shape. This is a quick but low accuracy positioning mechanism. For this the positioning entity
needs to have a database of Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) and the corresponding radio
coverage.
b) Where can be deployed: Cell ID can be implemented regardless of technology.
c) Salient points:
i) Limited accuracy
ii) No additional major deployment in network
iii) Works in all network technologies (GSM, WCDMA, LTE).
C.1.1.2 Cell Id +TA/ Cell ID+RTT

a) The TA is based on the existing Timing Advance (TA) parameter. The TA value is known for the
serving BTS. To obtain TA values in case the MS is in idle mode a special call, not noticed by
the GSM subscriber (no ringing tone), is set up. The cell-ID of the serving cell and the TA which
is received is then used to determine the approximate distance of the UE from the tower.
The Round Trip Time (RTT) measures the distance between the WCDMA-handset and the base
station, i.e. with a similar purpose as TA in GSM. Accuracy depends upon various factors such
as inter site distance, accuracy of Cell site data bases and stability in RF characteristics of the
network. Works with WCDMA network.
b) Salient points:
i) Cell Id + TA/ Cell Id + RTT positioning method is merely an enhancement of the Cell
Id.
ii) The TA parameter is an estimate of the distance (in increments of 550 M) from the mobile
terminal to the base station.
iii) The RTT measures the distance between the WCDMA-handset and the base station, i.e.
with a similar purpose as TA in GSM.
iv) Works in all network technologies.
C.1.1.3 E-CID {(Cell Id+TA)/(Cell ID+RTT) & NMR}

a) Network Management Reports (NMR) like power measurement can also be used to enhance
accuracy of RTT and CGI.
b) Salient points:
i) Medium accuracy around 200 metres in urban areas depending upon inter site distance
and number of neighbours.
ii) Works in all network technologies.
C.1.1.4 RF Pattern Printing (RFPM)

Radio Frequency Pattern Printing (RFPM) is a positioning method that uses the RF patterns observed in the
region to determine UE location using the NMRs as main inputs. RFPM compares “fingerprint” data received
from the handsets with the database of radio frequency strength of the same area. This will improve accuracy
considerably. Accuracy depends upon various factors such as inter site distance, accuracy of Cell site data
bases and stability in RF characteristics of the network. RFPM works with GSM and WCDMA networks.
a) RF Profiling/Pattern Matching/Fingerprinting- The technology is capable of meeting the
100 m/300 m requirement for network-based solutions in many urban and some dense suburban
settings. Accuracy in urban, suburban/rural areas may be achieved depending upon inter site
distance and number of neighbours.
b) Works in all network technologies.
c) RF fingerprinting requirements:
i) The method requires periodic drive tests and collection of data over the required area.
The samples are to be collected at different point of time in a day or adaption of RF
patterns data for different RF characteristics in a day.
ii) Large number of samples with the required parameters to be taken.
iii) The drive test for in building and hand held drive test for congested locations (which are
non-drivable) should also be done and integrated with the drive test of outdoor to generate
RF pattern data.
iv) Incremental drive test or tuning of RF measurement pattern is required in case of change
in antenna power, tilt or beam width or when a new base station is installed or any base
station stops radiating, the topology changes due to change in Landscape, infrastructure
development, terrain, etc.
Annex C 71
C.1.1.5 Uplink time duration of arrival (UTDOA) – Location management unit (LMU)
a) This is software and hardware based solution to be installed along with an existing BTS. It will
require backend infrastructure to collect process and present the required information.
b) The technology is capable of meeting the 100 m/300 m requirement for network-based solutions.
Higher accuracy in urban, suburban/rural areas may be achieved depending upon inter site
distance and number of neighbours.
c) Will require additional O&M of LMU hardware.
d) Works in GSM.
e) LMU requirements:
i) At least two neighbours are required.
ii) For synchronization, GPS infrastructure (GPS antenna, cable) is required.
iii) Signalling connectivity between LMU Server and LMUs (located at BTS) is required.
iv) It is an active element which requires connectivity at BTS.
C.1.1.6 Observed time duration of arrival (O-TDOA)

a) To be deployed for LTE.
b) O-TDOA is a downlink trilateration technique that requires the User Equipment (UE) to detect at
least two neighbour eNodeBs.
c) The UE requires O-TDOA software support in order to process the signals from multiple eNodeBs
and interact with the E-SMLC/SLP (Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centre / SUPL Location
Platform) server.
C.1.1.7 A-GPS
GPS is a satellite based positioning technology. In this UE calculated its location and provides it to the network.
A variant of GPS is A-GPS wherein network provides initial assistance data to the UE to reduce the location
determination time. GPS based mechanism generally does not work as well indoors or in areas where clear sky
is not visible.
a) Salient points:
i) Good accuracy in Sub-urban/ Rural/Remote. In strong signal conditions (e.g. rural
environment with user in clear sky conditions), the accuracy can be better than 10 m. In
some dense urban or indoors environments, accuracy may degrade to the 50-100 m range.
ii) Only works for users with GPS on their handsets.
iii) GPS enabling is user controlled.
C.1.2 Factors impacting location accuracy

In all location accuracy a method except A-GPS, the accuracy is dependent on inter site distance and number
of neighbours of BTSs. Lower the inter site distance the accuracy shall be higher.
Also higher the number of neighbours the accuracy shall be higher.
C.1.3 Required features and issues in supporting LBS

a) Location nodes i.e. GMLC (Gateway Mobile Location Centre), SMLC (Serving Mobile Location
Centre) and its associated interfaces are required.
b) The following are the requirements in various network elements for LBS support:
i) BSC/RNC:
– Lb/Iupc Interface on every BSC/RNC
– Network features required in each BSC/RNC
– Unique Point Code/GT/RNCID in all BSCs/RNCs across all PLMNs
– BSC/RNC Reachability – STP (Signalling Transfer Point) or Direct?

– Full CGI (Cell Global Identifier) Value (MCC+MNC+LAC+CI) to be provided by
BSCs
– Full CGI Value (MCC+MNC+LAC/RNCID+CID) to be provided by RNCs
– Extra Load on BSC/RNC for All Call CDR (Call-detail Record) Requirement.
ii) MSC/MME:
– Lg/SLg & SLs Interface on every MSC/MME
– Network features required in each MSC/MME.
iii) HLR/HSS:
– Lh/SLh Interface on every HLR/HSS
– Network features required in each HLR/HSS.
iv) BTS/Node B/E-Node B:
– Intersite Distance Requirement. Accuracy shall increase with lesser inter-site
distance and more number of neighbours for network based solutions.
c) As the usage of location based services increases, it will have impact on different network
elements and signalling etc. for which re-dimensioning of various network elements may be
required.
Annex D 73
ANNEX D
Description of wireless backhaul systems
– Recommendation ITU-R F.385 – Radio-frequency channel arrangements for fixed wireless systems
operating in the 7 110-7 900 MHz band
operating in the 8 GHz (7 725 to 8 500 MHz) band
operating in the 10.7-11.7 GHz band
operating in the 13 GHz (12.75-13.25 GHz) frequency band
operating in the 17.7-19.7 GHz frequency band
– Recommendation ITU-R F.746 – Radio-frequency arrangements for fixed service systems
– Recommendation ITU-R F.747 – Radio-frequency channel arrangements for fixed wireless system
– Recommendation ITU-R F.748 – Radio-frequency arrangements for systems of the fixed service
operating in the 25, 26 and 28 GHz bands
– Recommendation ITU-R F.749 – Radio-frequency arrangements for systems of the fixed service
operating in sub-bands in the 36-40.5 GHz band
– Recommendation ITU-R F.752 – Diversity techniques for point-to-point fixed wireless systems
– Recommendation ITU-R F.755 – Point-to-multipoint systems in the fixed service
– Recommendation ITU-R F.758 – System parameters and considerations in the development of criteria
for sharing or compatibility between digital fixed wireless systems in the fixed service and systems in
other services and other sources of interference
– Recommendation ITU-R F.1093 – Effects of multipath propagation on the design and operation of line-
of-sight digital fixed wireless systems
– Recommendation ITU-R F.1101 – Characteristics of digital fixed wireless systems below about 17 GHz
– Recommendation ITU-R F.1102 – Characteristics of fixed wireless systems operating in frequency
bands above about 17 GHz
– Recommendation ITU-R F.1336 – Reference radiation patterns of omnidirectional, sectoral and other
antennas for the fixed and mobile service for use in sharing studies in the frequency range from 400 MHz
to about 70 GHz
– Recommendation ITU-R F.1494 – Interference criteria to protect the fixed service from time varying
aggregate interference from other services sharing the 10.7-12.75 GHz band on a co-primary basis
– Recommendation ITU-R F.1495 – Interference criteria to protect the fixed service from time varying
aggregate interference from other radiocommunication services sharing the 17.7-19.3 GHz band on a
co-primary basis
operating in the band 51.4-52.6 GHz
operating in the band 55.78-66 GHz
– Recommendation ITU-R F.1520 – Radio-frequency arrangements for systems in the fixed service
operating in the band 31.8-33.4 GHz
– Recommendation ITU-R F.1565 – Performance degradation due to interference from other services
sharing the same frequency bands on a co-primary basis, or from other sources of interference, with real
digital fixed wireless systems used in the international and national portions of a 27 500 km hypothetical
reference path at or above the primary rate
– Recommendation ITU-R F.1606 – Interference criteria to protect fixed wireless systems from time
varying aggregate interference produced by non-geostationary satellites operating in other services
sharing the 37-40 GHz and 40.5-42.5 GHz bands on a co-primary basis
– Recommendation ITU-R F.1668 – Error performance objectives for real digital fixed wireless links used
in 27 500 km hypothetical reference paths and connections
– Recommendation ITU-R F.1669 – Interference criteria of fixed wireless systems operating in the 37-
40 GHz and 40.5-42.5 GHz bands with respect to satellites in the geostationary orbit
– Recommendation ITU-R F.1703 – Availability objectives for real digital fixed wireless links used in
27 500 km hypothetical reference paths and connections
– Recommendation ITU-R F.2004 – Radio-frequency channel arrangements for fixed service systems
operating in the 92-95 GHz range
– Recommendation ITU-R F.2005 – Radio-frequency channel and block arrangements for fixed wireless
systems operating in the 42 GHz (40.5 to 43.5 GHz) band
– Recommendation ITU-R F.2006 – Radio-frequency channel and block arrangements for fixed wireless
systems operating in the 71-76 and 81-86 GHz bands
– Recommendation ITU-R P.525 – Calculation of free-space attenuation
– Recommendation ITU-R P.530 – Propagation data and prediction methods required for the design of
terrestrial line-of-sight systems
– Recommendation ITU-R P.581 – The concept of "worst month"
– Recommendation ITU-R P.676 – Attenuation by atmospheric gases and related effects
– Recommendation ITU-R P.837 – Characteristics of precipitation for propagation modelling
– Recommendation ITU-R P.841 – Conversion of annual statistics to worst-month statistics
– Recommendation ITU-R SM.329 – Unwanted emissions in the spurious domain
– Recommendation ITU-R SM.853 – Necessary bandwidth
– Recommendation ITU-R SM.1541 – Unwanted emissions in the out-of-band domain
Annex E 75
ANNEX E
Description of external organizations
E.1 3GPP
The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) unites seven telecommunications standard development
organizations (ARIB, ATIS, CCSA, ETSI, TSDSI, TTA and TTC), referred to as “Organizational Partners”
and provides members with an independent and stable environment to produce the Reports and Specifications
that specify and define 3GPP technologies. The work conducted within the 3GPP focuses on specific projects
and studies aimed at the evolution and improvement of the standards that serve as the basis for the global
cellular mobile industry.
The project covers cellular telecommunications network technologies, including radio access, the core
transport network, and service capabilities – including work on codecs, security and quality of service. It thus
provides complete system specifications. The specifications also provide hooks for non-radio access to the
core network, and for interworking with Wi-Fi networks.
3GPP specifications and studies are contribution-driven, by member companies, in Working Groups and at the
Technical Specification Group level.
For more information please refer to http://www.3gpp.org/about-3gpp/about-3gpp
E.2 3GPP2
The Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) is a collaborative third generation telecommunications
specifications-setting project comprising North American and Asian interests developing global specifications
for ANSI/TIA/EIA-41 (MC_CDMA/cdma2000) Cellular Radio telecommunication Intersystem Operations
network evolution to IMT-2000 and global specifications for the radio transmission technologies (RTTs)
supported by ANSI/TIA/EIA-41.
3GPP2 was born out of the International Telecommunication Unionʼs (ITU) International Mobile
Telecommunications “IMT-2000” initiative.
E.3 IEEE
The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA), a globally recognized standards-setting body within IEEE,
develops consensus standards through an open process that engages industry and brings together a broad
stakeholder community. IEEE standards set specifications and best practices based on current scientific and
technological knowledge. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of over 900 active standards and more than 500
standards under development.
The IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee develops and maintains networking standards and
recommended practices for local, metropolitan, and other area networks, using an open and accredited process,
and advocates them on a global basis. The most widely used standards are for Ethernet, Bridging and Virtual
Bridged LANs Wireless LAN, Wireless PAN, Wireless MAN, Wireless Coexistence, Media Independent
Handover Services, and Wireless RAN. These standards are published by the IEEE Standards Association
(IEEE-SA) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). An individual Working Group
provides the focus for each area.
The IEEE standards relevant for IMT-2000 OFDMA TDD WMAN, designated as IEEE Std 802.16 and IEEE
Std 802.16.1, are developed and maintained by the IEEE 802.16 Working Group on Broadband Wireless
Access.
Annex F 77
ANNEX F
Published Recommendations, Reports and ongoing activities

of ITU-R on terrestrial IMT
Content:
F.1 Overview of Recommendations and Reports of ITU-R related to Terrestrial IMT
F.2 Published Recommendations and Reports of ITU-R related to Terrestrial IMT
F.3 Work ongoing and underway in ITU-R WP5D
F.4 All list of ITU-R Recommendations and Reports on IMT
F.1 Overview of Recommendations and Reports of ITU-R related to terrestrial IMT

F.1.1 General IMT
The various terms and definitions that are considered essential to the understanding and application of the
principles of IMT are included in Recommendation ITU-R M.1224.
In 1986, the ITU began work on developing a global future public land mobile telecommunications system
(FPLMTS), which in 1994 was re-named IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunications-2000).
Objectives were defined initially for IMT-2000 and subsequently for each new generation approximately every
10 years.
Report ITU-R M.1153 describes the general objectives, suitable frequency bands and the degrees of
compatibility of the FPLMTS.
Recommendation ITU-R M.687 defines the objectives to be met by IMT-2000 and provides the overall
IMT-2000 concepts with particular consideration to achieving worldwide roaming and compatibility.
Recommendation ITU-R M.1645 defines the framework and overall objectives of the future development of
IMT-2000 and systems beyond IMT-2000 for the radio access network (IMT-Advanced).
Recommendation ITU-R M.2083 establishes the objectives for IMT for 2020 and beyond, by describing
potential user and application directions, growth in traffic, technological evolution and spectrum implications,
and by providing guidelines on the framework and the capabilities for IMT for 2020 and beyond. Envisaged
three usage scenarios for IMT-2020:
– Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB).
– Ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC).
– Massive machine-type communications (mMTC).
F.1.2 Framework of services supported by IMT

Recommendation ITU-R M.816 forms a framework for continued development towards detailed IMT-2000
service descriptions. It includes those services supported by user bit rates up to approximately 2 Mbit/s as well
as new services, some of which may require higher bit rates.
Recommendation ITU-R M.1822 addresses high-level requirements for telecommunication services and
applications to be supported by IMT, including the future development of IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced. The
recommendation also includes service parameters and service classifications of IMT, and service examples
that may be supported by IMT.
F.1.3 Specific applications

Public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) is defined in Resolution 646 (Rev.WRC-19) and Report ITU-R
M.2291 addresses the current and possible future use of IMT including the use of Long Term Evolution (LTE)
in support of broadband PPDR communications.
Report ITU-R M.2373 ‒ Audio-visual capabilities and applications supported by terrestrial IMT systems,
examines the capabilities of IMT systems to deliver audio-visual services to consumers.
Report ITU-R M.2440 addresses the technical and operational aspects of terrestrial IMT-based radio networks
and systems supporting machine type communication (MTC) applications, as well as spectrum needed,
including possible harmonized use of spectrum to support the implementation of narrowband and broadband
MTC infrastructure and devices.
Report ITU-R M.2441 ‒ Emerging usage of the terrestrial component of International Mobile
Telecommunication (IMT), provides information on the usage of IMT systems for emerging use cases or
applications such as Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), railways or high-speed train communications,
industrial automation, remote control, etc.
F.1.4 Performance/QoS
Recommendation ITU-R M.1079 defines the speech/data quality and performance requirements for IMT-2000
access networks taking into consideration the end-to-end requirements. It also defines the connection/session
performance, concerning issues such as call set-up time, delay characteristics and handover probability, to be
achieved in the IMT-2000 access network that the user will expect in a network of comparable performance
to the fixed network.
F.1.5 Developing countries

Recommendation ITU-R M.819 describes the objectives to be met by IMT-2000 to meet the needs of
developing countries. The potential of mobile radio technologies, including IMT-2000, to help developing
countries “bridge the gap” between their communication capabilities and those in developed countries.
Report ITU-R M.1155 emphasizes the needs and interests of developing countries by promoting the
applications of FPLMTS for fixed services (FS). It is also stressed that the use of FPLMTS for such
applications is also attractive to developed countries.
F.1.6 IMT-2000
Recommendation ITU-R M.1034 builds on the IMT-2000 concepts and to provide a high-level view of the
constraints placed on the radio interface(s) particularly in terms of the system requirements, user requirements,
and operational requirements.
Recommendation ITU-R M.1225 provides guidelines for both the procedure and the criteria to be used in
evaluating radio transmission technologies (RTTs) for a number of test environments. These test environments,
defined in the recommendation, are chosen to simulate closely the more stringent radio operating
environments.
F.1.7 IMT-Advanced
Resolution ITU-R 57 contains the principles for the process of development of IMT-Advanced.
Report ITU-R M.2133 addresses the requirements, evaluation criteria, as well as submission templates required
for a complete submission of candidate radio interface technologies (RITs) and candidate sets of radio interface
technologies (SRITs) for IMT-Advanced.
Report ITU-R M.2134 ‒ Requirements related to technical system performance for IMT-Advanced radio
interface(s), describes requirements related to technical performance for IMT-Advanced candidate RITs and
also provides the necessary background information about the individual requirements and the justification for
the items and values chosen.
Report ITU-R M.2135 provides guidelines for both the procedure and the criteria (technical, spectrum and
service) to be used in evaluating the candidate IMT-Advanced RITs or SRITs for a number of test
Annex F 79
environments and deployment scenarios for evaluation. The evaluation procedure is designed in such a way
that the overall performance of a candidate RIT/SRIT is fairly and consistently assessed on a technical basis.
Report ITU-R M.2198 is the record of the work performed after receipt of the proposals for IMT-Advanced
candidate RITs and SRITs, including the evaluation activity and the consensus building.
F.1.8 IMT-2020
As defined in Resolution ITU-R 56, IMT-2020 systems are mobile systems that include new radio interface(s)
which support the new capabilities of systems beyond IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced. The intention is to make
IMT-2020 more flexible, reliable and secure than previous IMT when providing diverse services in the intended
three usage scenarios, including eMBB, URLLC and mMTC.
Resolution ITU-R 65 provides the principles for the process of future development of IMT for 2020 and
beyond.
Report ITU-R M.2410 describes key requirements related to the minimum technical performance of IMT-2020
candidate RITs. It also provides the necessary background information about the individual requirements and
the justification for the items and values chosen.
Report ITU-R M.2411 addresses the requirements, evaluation criteria, as well as submission templates required
for a complete submission of RITs and SRITs for IMT-2020.
Report ITU-R M.2412 provides guidelines for the procedure, the methodology and the criteria (technical,
spectrum and service) to be used in evaluating the candidate IMT-2020 RITs or SRITs for a number of test
environments. These test environments are chosen to simulate closely the more stringent radio operating
environments. The evaluation procedure is designed in such a way that the overall performance of the candidate
RITs/SRITs may be fairly and equally assessed on a technical basis.
Report ITU-R M.2483 is the results record of the work performed after reception of the RIT and SRIT
proposals for IMT-2020, including the evaluation activity, the consensus building, the outcome and the
conclusions. Report ITU-R M.2498 is the record of the work performed after receipt of complete proposals for
IMT-2020 candidate “DECT-2020 NR” component RIT and “3GPP 5G NR” component RIT.
F.1.9 IMT process

The ITU-R Recommendations and Reports that have been published in support of the IMT process for the
various generations of IMT are summarized in below.
TABLE 2
IMT-2000 IMT-Advanced IMT-2020

Objectives M.687 (1990-1992-1997) (1) M.1645 (2003) (1) M.2083 (2015) (1)
Requirements M.1034 (1994-1997) (1) M.2134 (2008) (2) M.2410 (2017) (2)
M.2133 (2008) (2) M.2411 (2017) (2)
Submission C.L. 8/LCCE/47 (1997) (3) 5/LCCE/2 (2008) (3) 5/LCCE/59 (2016) (3)
Evaluation M.1225 (1997) (1) M.2135 (2008-2009) (2) M.2412 (2017) (2)
Outcome M.1455 (suppressed) (1) M.2198 (2010) (2) M.2483 (2020) (2)
M.2498 (2021) (2)
Specifications M.1457 (2000-…-2020) (1) M.2012 (2012-…-2022) (1) M.2150 (2022) (1)
(1)
ITU-R Recommendation.
(2)
ITU-R Report.
(3)
C.L.: Circular Letter inviting the submission of candidate technologies.
Note: The years in brackets indicate the approval of the various revisions.
F.1.10 Architecture
Recommendation ITU-R M.817 presents the functional network architectures and some of the resulting
network configurations which are possible for IMT-2000.
Report ITU-R M.2375 describes an overview of the architecture, topology/configuration, and transport
requirements of IMT networks.
In order to specify the radio interface(s) of IMT-2000, Recommendation ITU-R M.1035 presents an overview of
the radio subsystem for IMT-2000 and give guidelines for the development of the structure of the radio sub-
system. The radio sub-system includes the functionalities needed to provide IMT-2000 services over a radio
interface(s) to mobile terminals in all IMT-2000 operating environments. Recommendation ITU-R M.1311
identifies and describes the modularity and radio commonality principles which should be adopted in the
development of the radio-related aspects of IMT-2000.
Recommendation ITU-R M.1182 provides five levels of different architecture for the integration of mobile-
satellite service (MSS) systems with terrestrial PSTN or cellular network.
F.1.11 Radio interface specifications

Table 3 contains the ITU-R Recommendations that have been published with the specifications of each
generation of IMT.
TABLE 3
IMT Generation Specifications

IMT-2000 Recommendation ITU-R M.1457
IMT-Advanced Recommendation ITU-R M.2012
IMT-2020 Recommendation ITU-R M.2150
F.1.12 Unwanted emissions

Recommendation ITU-R M.1580 provides the generic unwanted emission characteristics of base stations using
the terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT-2000.
Recommendation ITU-R M.1581 provides the generic unwanted emission characteristics of mobile stations
using the terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT-2000, suitable for establishing the technical basis for global
circulation of IMT-2000 terminals.
Recommendation ITU-R M.2070 provides the generic unwanted emission characteristics of base stations using
the terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT-Advanced.
Recommendation ITU-R M.2071 provides the generic unwanted emission characteristics of mobile stations
using the terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT-Advanced, suitable for establishing the technical basis for global
circulation of IMT-Advanced terminals.
TABLE 4
Generic unwanted emission characteristics

IMT radio interface Base station Mobile station
IMT-2000 Rec. ITU-R M.1580 Rec. ITU-R M.1581
IMT-Advanced Rec. ITU-R M.2070 Rec. ITU-R M.2071
Annex F 81
Table 4 above contains the ITU-R Recommendations that have been published with the generic unwanted
emissions characteristics of each IMT radio interface generation for base and mobile stations.
F.1.13 Frequency spectrum needs

Spectrum requirements for the terrestrial component of IMT-2000 were estimated prior to World
Administrative Radio Conference in 1992 (WARC-92). These spectrum calculations are documented in
Recommendation ITU-R M.687. As technology advances, customers will demand more and more capabilities
from wireless services. As a result, this section contains all the studies on estimated spectrum and traffic
requirements for the future development of IMT.
F.1.14 Estimation methodologies

ITU-R has developed methodologies for the estimation of required terrestrial spectrum which are defined in:
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1390 contains a methodology for the calculation of terrestrial
spectrum requirement estimates for IMT-2000. This methodology could also be used for other
public land mobile radio systems. It provides a systematic approach that incorporates geographic
influences, market and traffic impacts, technical and system aspects and consolidation of
spectrum requirement results.
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1768 describes a methodology for the calculation of terrestrial
spectrum requirement estimation for IMT. It provides a systematic approach that incorporates
service categories (a combination of service type and traffic class), service environments
(a combination of service usage pattern and teledensity), radio environments, market data analysis
and traffic estimation by using these categories and environments, traffic distribution among radio
access technique groups (RATGs), required system capacity calculation and resultant spectrum
requirement determination. Report ITU-R M.2289 presents the future radio aspect parameters for
use with the terrestrial IMT spectrum estimate methodology of Recommendation ITU-R M.1768
in conjunction with developing the future spectrum requirement estimate for terrestrial IMT
systems, principally focused towards the years 2020 and beyond.
F.1.15 Frequency spectrum needs

Report ITU-R M.2023 determines the amount of spectrum needed to support IMT-2000 services by both the
terrestrial and satellite components of IMT-2000. It also describes the forecast demand estimates for such
services.
Report ITU-R M.2078 provides results of technical studies on estimated spectrum requirements for the future
development of IMT-2000 and for IMT-Advanced.
Since the approval of the previous Report in 2006, there have been significant advances in IMT technologies
and the deployment of IMT networks.
Report ITU-R M.2072 provides a summary of the market analysis and forecast of evolution of mobile market
and services for the future development of IMT-2000, systems beyond IMT-2000 and other systems. This
Report has derived market related parameters and provided forecasts for 2010, 2015, and 2020 for the mobile
market, as estimated in the year 2006.
Report ITU-R M.2079 provides useful information for administrations to consider when processing spectrum
selection for the future development of IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced.
ITU-R has developed two documents on traffic, as well as spectrum requirements to 2020, namely:
– Report ITU-R M.2243 reviews both the market and traffic forecasts for IMT that were developed
in previous study periods (2000-2007) and assesses the perspectives and future needs of MBB
that would be supported by IMT until 2020. In addition, it provides traffic forecasts up to 2015,
and in some cases up to 2020, taking into account new market drivers.
– Report ITU-R M.2290 provides a global perspective on the future spectrum requirements estimate
for terrestrial IMT. In order to estimate the spectrum requirements for 2020, this Report predicts
future traffic growth up to 2020 and derived input parameters representing a possible set of global
scenarios of the future mobile traffic growth.
Building on the Reports described above, Report ITU-R M.2370 analyses factors impacting future IMT traffic
growth beyond the year 2020 and estimates the traffic demands for the period 2020 to 2030. There are many
drivers impacting future IMT traffic growth and the characteristics of the traffic that are envisaged to generate
this growth are also described in this Report.
F.1.16 Characteristics for sharing studies

To perform the necessary sharing and compatibility studies between IMT systems and systems in other
services, characteristics of the terrestrial component of IMT systems are needed. These characteristics can be
found in:
– For IMT-2000, Report ITU-R M.2039 provides the baseline characteristics of terrestrial
IMT-2000 systems only for use in frequency sharing and interference analysis studies involving
IMT-2000 systems and between IMT-2000 systems and other systems.
– Parameters of IMT-Advanced interface for frequency sharing and interference analysis studies
are addressed in Report ITU-R M.2292.
F.1.17 Methodologies
Methodologies to perform the necessary sharing and compatibility studies between IMT systems and systems
in other services can be found in:
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1635 provides recommendations for administrations for a
methodology for assessing the potential for interference between IMT-2000 and systems beyond
and other services under co-frequency as well as adjacent band conditions.
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1641 contains a methodology for evaluating co-channel interference
and a separation distance between a high-altitude platform stations (HAPS) system as a base
station for IMT-2000 and a terrestrial tower-based cellular system providing IMT-2000 service.
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1654 contains methodology to assess the interference from
broadcasting-satellite service (BSS) (sound) into terrestrial IMT-2000 systems intending to use
the band 2 630-2 655 MHz and that could be used to determine the impact of BSS (sound) on
terrestrial IMT-2000 in the context of co-frequency sharing through the development of power
flux-density (pfd) masks, where applicable.
– Recommendation ITU-R M.2101 describes the methodology for modelling and simulation of
IMT networks for use in sharing and compatibility studies between IMT and other systems and/or
applications.
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1545 describes the application of measurement uncertainty to test
limits when devices for terrestrial component of IMT-2000 are tested for conformance.
F.1.18 Sharing studies

In this section, all frequency sharing studies and interference analyses involving IMT systems and other
systems and services operating in bands identified for IMT are listed. The following ones are in force:
– Report ITU-R M.2110 assesses the feasibility of sharing between IMT systems operating in the
450-470 MHz band and the radiocommunication services having a primary allocation.
– Report ITU-R F.2331 examines the compatibility of proposed IMT systems and FS systems
operating in the 470-694/698 MHz frequency range.
– Recommendation ITU-R M.2090 provides guidance to administrations on specific unwanted
emission levels of IMT mobile stations operating in the frequency band 694-790 MHz in order to
facilitate protection of existing services in the frequency band 470-694 MHz in Region 1.
– Report ITU-R BT.2337 provides sharing and compatibility studies were conducted between
terrestrial mobile broadband applications, including IMT, and digital terrestrial television
broadcasting (DTTB) in the frequency band 470-694 MHz in the GE06 planning area.
– Report ITU-R BT.2338 provides relevant information on audio SAB/SAP, including technical
characteristics, quality requirements, current spectrum use, and the impact of the loss of the
694-790 MHz band.
Annex F 83
– Report ITU-R BT.2339 describes co-channel sharing and compatibility studies between digital
terrestrial television broadcasting and IMT in the frequency band 694-790 MHz in the GE06
planning area.
– Report ITU-R M.2241 provides sharing study results in relation with Resolution 224
(Rev.WRC-19). It assesses the degree of compatibility between IMT systems operating in the
frequency bands 790-862 MHz or 698-806 MHz and systems of other services operating in the
same or adjacent band.
– Report ITU-R RS.2336 provides analyses based on both static scenario and dynamic methodology
to address the compatibility between IMT systems in the frequency bands 1 375-1 400 MHz and
1 427-1 452 MHz and Earth exploration-satellite service (EESS) (passive) systems in the
1 400-1 427 MHz frequency band.
– Report ITU-R F.2333 presents an analysis of the feasibility of co-channel compatibility/sharing
between IMT systems and FS point-to-point links currently operating in the frequency band
1 350-1 527 MHz.
– Report ITU-R BS.2340 provides a sharing study between potential IMT systems and the
broadcasting service (BS) in the frequency band 1 452-1 492 MHz.
– Report ITU-R M.2324 provides sharing studies between potential IMT systems and aeronautical
mobile telemetry (AMT) systems in the frequency band 1 429-1 535 MHz.
– Report ITU-R SA.2329 provides an assessment of the separation distance that would be required
between IMT stations (base stations and user equipment (UE)) and meteorological-satellite
service (MetSat) receiving earth stations in the 1 695-1 710 MHz frequency band.
– Report ITU-R SA.2325 considers the feasibility of LTE type of IMT systems sharing the
frequency bands 2 025-2 110 MHz and 2 200-2 290 MHz with incumbent primary services of the
space research, Earth exploration-satellite and space operation services in the space-to-space
direction.
– Report ITU-R M.2374 provides an un-paired arrangement, time division duplex (TDD) for the
band 2 300-2 400 MHz. This band is used or is planned to be used for mobile broadband wireless
access (BWA) including IMT technologies in a number of countries and there is a need for a study
on coexistence of BWA systems, deployed in the same geographical area, using TDD mode in
adjacent spectrum blocks in 2 300-2 400 MHz band in order to maximize the additional benefit
from harmonized use of the band.
– Report ITU-R M.2499 addresses the study on the aspects of synchronization operations of
multiple IMT-2020 TDD networks in close proximity using the same frequency band, including
analyses of coexistence issues when IMT operators utilize different synchronization modes,
performance evaluation under different synchronization modes, and coexistence mitigation
strategies.
– Report ITU-R M.2041 identifies sharing and adjacent band compatibility in the 2.5 GHz band
between the terrestrial and satellite components of IMT-2000.
– Report ITU-R M.2030 addresses the coexistence between IMT-2000 time division duplex and
frequency division duplex terrestrial RITs around 2 600 MHz operating in adjacent bands and in
the same geographical area.
– Report ITU-R M.2045 considers techniques to improve compatibility between IMT-2000 time
division duplex (TDD) and frequency division duplex (FDD) RITs operating in adjacent
frequency bands and in the same geographic area within the 2 500-2 690 MHz frequency band.
– Report ITU-R M.2113 focuses on sharing studies in the 2 500-2 690 MHz band between
IMT-2000 and fixed broadband wireless access systems including nomadic applications in the
same geographical area.
– Report ITU-R M.2146 studies the coexistence between IMT-2000 CDMA-DS and IMT-2000
OFDMA-TDD-WMAN in the 2 500-2 690 MHz band operating in adjacent bands in the same
area.
– Recommendation ITU-R M.1646 contains the parameters to be used in co-frequency sharing and
pfd threshold studies between terrestrial IMT-2000 and broadcasting-satellite service (sound) in
the 2 630-2 655 MHz band.
– Report ITU-R M.2112 provides compatibility analysis between air surveillance radars (ASR) and
meteorological radars and IMT systems operating in the 2 700-2 900 MHz band with new
assumptions and systems characteristics.
– Report ITU-R M.2481 contains studies on operational measures to enable coexistence of IMT
and radiolocation service in the frequency band 3 300-3 400 MHz, and compatibility studies in
adjacent bands between IMT systems operating in the frequency band 3 300-3 400 MHz and
radiolocation systems operating below 3 300 MHz.
– Report ITU-R M.2111 provides sharing studies between radar systems and IMT-Advanced
systems in the bands 3 400-3 700 MHz, and potential interference mitigation techniques.
– Report ITU-R F.2328 examines the compatibility of proposed IMT systems and FS systems
operating in the 3 400-4 200 MHz frequency range.
– Report ITU-R M.2109 provides a summary of the sharing studies between IMT-Advanced
systems and geostationary satellite networks in the fixed-satellite service (FSS) in the 3 400-4 200
and 4 500-4 800 MHz frequency bands.
– Report ITU-R S.2368 describes sharing studies between IMT-Advanced systems and
geostationary satellite networks in the fixed-satellite service in the 3 400-4 200 MHz and
4 500-4 800 MHz frequency bands.
– Report ITU-R F.2327 provides the results of compatibility studies between IMT system and point-
to-point fixed wireless systems in the frequency band 4 400-4 990 MHz.
– Report ITU-R S.2367 describes sharing studies between IMT-Advanced systems and satellite
networks in the fixed-satellite service in the 5 850-6 425 MHz frequency band.
– Report ITU-R F.2326 addresses the sharing and compatibility study between indoor IMT small
cells and FS stations in the 5 925-6 425 MHz frequency band.
To summarize, all sharing and compatibility studies mentioned are referenced in Table 5 below are sorted by
the service they are sharing the frequency spectrum with, in each identified IMT band.
Annex F 85
TABLE 5
IMT frequency spectrum sharing studies
Band Terrestrial services Satellite services Science services

(MHz)
FS BS BS LMS RDS FSS BSS MSS EESS SRS SOS RAS
(sound) (television)
450-470 M.2110 M.2110* M.2110* M.2110 M.2110 M.2110
(RLS)
470-698 F.2331 BT.2337 RA.2332
694/698-960 M.2241 M.2241 M.2241 M.2241
M.2090* M.2090* (ARNS)
BT.2339
BT.2338
1 427-1 518 F.2333 BS.2340 M.2324 RS.2336 RA.2332*
(AMS/AMT)
1 710-2 025 SA.2329* RA.2332*
(MetSat)
2 110-2 200 SA.2325 SA.2325 SA.2325
2 300-2 400 M.2374
2 500-2 690 M.2030 M.2030 M.2112* M.1646 M.2041 RA.2332*
M.2045 M.2045 (RLS)
M.2113 M.2146
3 300-3 400 M.2481
(RLS)
3 400-3 600 F.2328 M.2111 M.2109
(RLS) S.2368
3 600-3 700 F.2328 M.2111 M.2109
(RLS) S.2368
4 800-4 990 F.2327 M.2109* RA.2332
F.2326* S.2368*
S.2367*
Notes:
– Italic font indicates that it is a Recommendation.
* These sharing studies includes adjacent bands of IMT.
F.1.19 Frequency implementation

Recommendation ITU-R M.1036 provides guidance on the selection of transmitting and receiving frequency
arrangements for the terrestrial component of IMT systems as well as the arrangements themselves, with a
view to assisting administrations on spectrum-related technical issues relevant to the implementation and use
of the terrestrial component of IMT in the bands identified in the Radio Regulations (RR).
Recommendation ITU-R M.1456 addresses minimum performance characteristics and operational conditions
for HAPS operating as IMT-2000 base stations in frequency bands around 2 GHz.
Report ITU-R M.2024 ‒ Summary of spectrum usage survey results, contains the views of a number of
administrations that have indicated their current and planned spectrum usage of the bands which are considered
potentially suitable for IMT-2000.
F.1.20 Technology
One of the most challenging aspects of designing future wireless telecommunications systems is accurately
anticipating what the future evolution and technological drivers will be. This is made even more difficult by
the rapid advances in technology over the last few years and the increasingly sophisticated demands. Therefore,
this section contains the existing ITU-R texts about technology in different applications and the future
technology evolution.
Cognitive radio systems (CRS): Report ITU-R M.2242 addresses aspects of cognitive radio systems specific
to IMT systems. It includes results of studies to determine the impact of adding cognitive radio capabilities to
existing IMT systems, and analyses the benefits, challenges and impacts of CRSs in IMT, including a
description of how the systems would be used in IMT system deployments and their possible impact on the
use of IMT frequency spectrum.
Antennas: Report ITU-R M.2334 addresses several aspects of active and passive antenna systems for base
stations of IMT systems, including:
– the definitions of antenna systems, associated components and terminology;
– definitions for common performance parameters and tolerances;
– guidelines on performance parameters and tolerances;
– and considerations of advanced concepts.
Report ITU-R M.2244 contains methods to estimate the required isolation between IMT base station antennas
in the land mobile service that are co-located or located in close proximity and possible antenna orientations
to achieve the required isolation.
Implementation technologies: Report ITU-R M.2376 provides information on the technical feasibility of IMT
in the bands between 6 GHz and 100 GHz. It includes information on how current IMT systems, their
evolution, and/or potentially new IMT RITs and system approaches could be appropriate for operation in the
bands between 6 GHz and 100 GHz, taking into account the impact of the propagation characteristics related
to the possible future operation of IMT in those bands.
Report ITU-R M.2038 ‒ Technology trends, addresses technology topics that appear relevant to some lesser
or greater degree to the future development of IMT-2000 and systems beyond IMT-2000. Specifically, it
considers these topics in three broad categories:
– technologies which have an impact on spectrum, its utilization and/or efficiency in this context;
– technologies which relate to access networks and radio interfaces;
– technologies which relate to mobile terminals.
Report ITU-R M.2074 describes technical matters related to radio aspects such as requirement for technical
characteristics that are needed for the spectrum requirements calculations, values of the required radio
parameters, spectrum efficiency values, and suitable spectrum range preference from a technical aspect. These
matters are reflected in the process to calculate the required spectrum and to determine suitable frequency
ranges for the future development of IMT-2000 and systems beyond IMT-2000 from 2010 onwards.
Annex F 87
Considering the timeframe 2015-2020 and beyond, Report ITU-R M.2320 provides a broad view of future
technical aspects of terrestrial IMT systems. It includes information on technical and operational characteristics
of IMT systems, including the evolution of IMT through advances in technology and spectrally efficient
techniques, and their deployment.
More information on this topic can be found in this Handbook, which provides the general information such
as service requirements, applications, system characteristics, and substantive information on spectrum,
regulatory issues, guideline for the evolution and migration, and core network evolution on IMT.
F.1.21 Implementation
This section provides information on various aspects that need to be considered when planning to use or deploy
an IMT. A number of considerations have been identified for the implementation of IMT:
Recommendations and guidance for the evolution of pre-IMT-2000 systems towards IMT-2000 are provided
in Recommendation ITU-R M.1308 and Volume 2 of the Land Mobile Handbook.
Recommendation ITU-R M.1168 present the conceptual and methodological framework for the definition of
the management of IMT-2000. The methodology described in Recommendation ITU-T M.3020 is used to
define management requirements, management services, management functions, information models, and
management protocols related to the management of IMT-2000.
Recommendation ITU-R M.1579 establishes the technical basis for global circulation of IMT terrestrial
terminals based on terminals not causing harmful interference in any country where they circulate:
– by conforming to IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced terrestrial radio interface specifications; and
– by complying with unwanted emission limits for IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced terrestrial radio
interfaces.
Report ITU-R M.2480 provides national approaches taken and/or knowledge gained by certain countries
wishing to share their approaches, in the use/deployment or planning of terrestrial component of IMT in certain
frequency bands that are allocated to the mobile service and identified for IMT, which includes regulatory,
technical and operational aspects.
Due to the particular nature of wireless communications, IMT needs to incorporate security measures to
prevent unauthorized reception. The IMT radio specifications include the necessary security measures.
Recommendation ITU-R M.1078 provides the principles and framework for the security provided by
IMT-2000. The Recommendation covers all aspects of security for IMT-2000 and is intended as a basis for
more detailed aspects of IMT-2000 security to be integrated in various ITU-R or ITU-T Recommendations
including IMT-2000 requirements at a later stage.
Recommendation ITU-R M.1223 identifies classes of security mechanisms appropriate for implementing the
IMT-2000 security features defined in the previous Recommendation on security principles for IMT-2000, and
thus for satisfying the IMT-2000 security requirements identified in the same Recommendation.
F.2 Published Recommendations and Reports of ITU-R related to terrestrial IMT
The following Table includes all IMT related documents sorted by topic55.
Type Series Number Rev. Title Year Relevant topic(s)

Rec. M. 817 0 International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 1992 Architecture
(IMT-2000) – Network architectures IMT-2000
Rec. M. 1035 0 Framework for the radio interface(s) and radio 1994 Architecture
sub-system functionality for International Mobile IMT-2000
Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000)
Rec. M. 1182 1 Integration of terrestrial and satellite mobile 2003 Architecture
communication systems
Rec. M. 1311 0 Framework for modularity and radio commonality 1997 Architecture
within IMT-2000 IMT-2000
Rep. M. 2375 0 Architecture and topology of IMT networks 2015 Architecture
Rec. M. 819 2 International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 1997 Developing countries
(IMT-2000) for developing countries IMT-2000
Rep. M. 1155 0 Adaptation of mobile radiocommunication 1990 Developing countries
technology to the needs of developing countries
Rec. M. 1224 1 Vocabulary of terms for International Mobile 2012 Vocabulary
Rec. M. 1034 1 Requirements for the radio interface(s) for 1997 IMT Process
International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 IMT-2000
(IMT-2000)
Rec. M. 1225 0 Guidelines for evaluation of radio transmission 1997 IMT Process
technologies for IMT-2000 IMT-2000
Rep. M. 2133 0 Requirements, evaluation criteria and submission 2008 IMT Process
templates for the development of IMT-Advanced IMT-Advanced
Rep. M. 2134 0 Requirements related to technical performance for 2008 IMT Process
IMT-Advanced radio interface(s) IMT-Advanced
Rep. M. 2135 1 Guidelines for evaluation of radio interface 2009 IMT Process
technologies for IMT-Advanced IMT-Advanced
Rep. M. 2198 0 The outcome of the evaluation, consensus building 2010 IMT Process
and decision of the IMT-Advanced process (steps IMT-Advanced
4-7), including characteristics of IMT-Advanced
radio interfaces
Rep. M. 2410 0 Minimum requirements related to technical 2017 IMT Process
performance for IMT-2020 radio interface(s) IMT-2020
Rep. M. 2411 0 Requirements, evaluation criteria and submission 2017 IMT Process
templates for the development of IMT-2020 IMT-2020
Rep. M. 2412 0 Guidelines for evaluation of radio interface 2017 IMT Process
technologies for IMT-2020 IMT-2020
Rep. M. 2483 0 The outcome of the evaluation, consensus building 2020 IMT Process
and decision of the IMT-2020 process (Steps 4 to IMT-2020
7), including characteristics of IMT-2020 radio
interfaces
55 The electronic version of this Table can be sorted by columns as required.

Annex F 89

Rep. M. 2498 0 The outcome of 'Way Forward Option 2 for "ETSI 2021 IMT Process
(TC DECT) and DECT Forum Proponent" of the IMT-2020
evaluation, consensus building and decision of the
IMT-2020 process (Steps 4 to 7), including
characteristics of IMT-2020 radio interfaces
Rec. M. 1168 0 Framework of International Mobile 1995 Implementation
Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000) IMT-2000
Rec. M. 1308 0 Evolution of land mobile systems towards 1997 Implementation
IMT-2000 IMT-2000
Note: Responsibility WP5A
Rec. M. 1579 2 Global circulation of IMT terrestrial terminals 2015 Implementation
Rep. M. 2480 1 National approaches of some countries on the 2021 Implementation
implementation of terrestrial IMT systems in
bands identified for IMT
Handbook 30 0 Land Mobile (including Wireless Access) – 1997 Implementation
Volume 2: Principles and Approaches on IMT-2000
Evolution to IMT-2000/FPLMTS
Handbook 37 0 IMT-2000: Special Edition 2000 Implementation
IMT-2000
Handbook 46 1 Migration to IMT-2000 Systems – Supplement 1 2011 Implementation
(Revision 1) of the Handbook on Deployment of
IMT-2000 Systems
Handbook 60 0 Deployment of IMT-2000 Systems 2003 Implementation
IMT-2000
Rec. M. 1078 0 Security principles for International Mobile 1994 Implementation
Rec. M. 1223 0 Evaluation of security mechanisms for IMT-2000 1997 Implementation
IMT-2000
Rec. M. 687 2 International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 1997 Objectives
(IMT-2000) IMT-2000
Rep. M. 1153 0 Future public land mobile telecommunication 1990 Objectives
systems
Rec. M. 1645 0 Framework and overall objectives of the future 2003 Objectives
development of IMT-2000 and systems beyond IMT-2000
IMT-2000
Rec. M. 2083 0 IMT Vision – "Framework and overall objectives 2015 Objectives
of the future development of IMT for 2020 and IMT-2020
beyond"
Rec. M. 1457 15 Detailed specifications of the terrestrial radio 2020 Radio interface
interfaces of International Mobile specifications
Telecommunications Advanced (IMT-Advanced) IMT-Advanced
Rec. M. 1390 0 Methodology for the calculation of IMT-2000 1999 Spectrum needs
terrestrial spectrum requirements IMT-2000

Rec. M. 1768 1 Methodology for calculation of spectrum 2013 Spectrum needs
requirements for the terrestrial component of
International Mobile Telecommunications
Rep. M. 2023 0 Spectrum requirements for International Mobile 2000 Spectrum needs
Rep. M. 2072 0 World mobile telecommunication market forecast 2005 Spectrum needs
Rep. M. 2078 0 Estimated spectrum bandwidth requirements for 2006 Spectrum needs
the future development of IMT-2000 and IMT- IMT-2000 /
Advanced IMT-Advanced
Rep. M. 2079 0 Technical and operational information for 2006 Spectrum needs
identifying spectrum for the terrestrial component IMT-2000 /
of future development of IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced
IMT-Advanced
Rep. M. 2243 0 Assessment of the global mobile broadband 2011 Spectrum needs
deployments and forecasts for International
Mobile Telecommunications
Rep. M. 2289 0 Future radio aspect parameters for use with the 2013 Spectrum needs
terrestrial IMT spectrum estimate methodology of
Recommendation ITU-R M.1768-1
Rep. M. 2290 0 Future spectrum requirements estimate for 2013 Spectrum needs
terrestrial IMT
Rep. M. 2370 0 IMT Traffic estimates for the years 2020 to 2030 2015 Spectrum needs
Rec. M. 1036 6 Frequency arrangements for implementation of 2019 Spectrum usage
the terrestrial component of International Mobile Implementation
Telecommunications (IMT) in the bands identified
for IMT in the Radio Regulations
Rec. M. 1456 0 Minimum performance characteristics and 2000 Spectrum usage
operational conditions for high altitude platform HAPS
stations providing IMT-2000 in the bands IMT-2000
1 885-1 980 MHz, 2 010-2 025 MHz and 2 110-
2 170 MHz in Regions 1 and 3 and 1 885-
1 980 MHz and 2 110-2 160 MHz in Region 2
Rec. M. 1545 0 Measurement uncertainty as it applies to test limits 2001 Spectrum usage
for the terrestrial component of International IMT-2000
Mobile Telecommunications-2000
Rec. M. 1635 0 General methodology for assessing the potential 2003 Spectrum usage
for interference between IMT-2000 or systems
beyond IMT-2000 and other services
Rec. M. 1641 1 A methodology for co-channel interference 2006 Spectrum usage
evaluation to determine separation distance from a IMT-2000
system using HAPS to a cellular system to provide
IMT-2000 service
Rec. M. 1646 0 Parameters to be used in co-frequency sharing and 2003 Spectrum usage
pfd threshold studies between terrestrial IMT- IMT-2000
2000 and BSS (sound) in the 2 630-2 655 MHz
band
Rec. M. 1654 0 A methodology to assess interference from 2003 Spectrum usage
broadcasting satellite service (sound) into IMT-2000
terrestrial IMT-2000 systems intending to use the
band 2 630-2 655 MHz
Rep. M. 2024 0 Summary of spectrum usage survey results 2000 Spectrum usage
Annex F 91

Rep. M. 2030 0 Coexistence between IMT-2000 time division 2003 Spectrum usage
duplex and frequency division duplex radio IMT-2000
interface technologies around 2 600 MHz
operating in adjacent bands and in the same
geographical area
Rep. M. 2031 0 Compatibility between WCDMA 1800 downlink 2003 Spectrum usage
and GSM 1900 uplink
Rep. M. 2039 3 Characteristics of terrestrial IMT-2000 systems 2014 Spectrum usage
for frequency sharing/interference analyses
Rep. M. 2041 0 Sharing and adjacent band compatibility in the 2003 Spectrum usage
2.5 GHz band between the terrestrial and satellite IMT-2000
components of IMT-2000
Rep. M. 2045 0 Mitigating techniques to address coexistence 2004 Spectrum usage
between IMT-2000 time division duplex and
frequency division duplex radio interface
technologies within the frequency range
2 500-2 690 MHz operating in adjacent bands and
in the same geographical area
Rec. M. 2090 0 Specific unwanted emission limit of IMT mobile 2015 Spectrum usage
stations operating in the frequency band 694-
790 MHz to facilitate protection of existing
services in Region 1 in the frequency band 470-
694 MHz
Rec. M. 2101 0 Modelling and simulation of IMT networks and 2017 Spectrum usage
systems for use in sharing and compatibility
studies
Rep. M. 2109 0 Sharing studies between IMT-Advanced systems 2007 Spectrum usage
and geostationary satellite networks in the fixed IMT-Advanced
satellite service in the 3 400-4 200 MHz and
4 500-4 800 MHz frequency bands
Rep. M. 2110 0 Sharing studies between radiocommunication 2007 Spectrum usage
services and IMT systems operating in the
450-470 MHz band
Rep. M. 2111 0 Sharing studies between IMT-Advanced and 2007 Spectrum usage
radiolocation service in the 3 400-3 700 MHz IMT-Advanced
bands
Rep. M. 2112 0 Compatibility/sharing of airport surveillance 2007 Spectrum usage
radars and meteorological radar with IMT systems
within the 2 700-2 900 MHz band
Rep. M. 2113 1 Sharing studies in the 2 500-2 690 MHz band 2008 Spectrum usage
between IMT-2000 and fixed broadband wireless IMT-2000
access systems including nomadic applications in
the same geographical area
Rep. M. 2146 0 Coexistence between IMT-2000 CDMA DS and 2009 Spectrum usage
IMT-2000 OFDMA TDD WMAN in the 2 500-
2 690 MHz band operating in adjacent bands in the
same area
Rep. M. 2241 0 Compatibility studies in relation to Resolution 224 2011 Spectrum usage
in the bands 698-806 MHz and 790-862 MHz
Rep. M. 2292 0 Characteristics of terrestrial IMT-Advanced 2013 Spectrum usage
systems for frequency sharing/interference
analyses

Rep. M. 2324 0 Sharing studies between potential International 2014 Spectrum usage
Mobile Telecommunication systems and
aeronautical mobile telemetry systems in the
frequency band 1 429-1 535 MHz
Rep. SA. 2325 0 Sharing between space-to-space links in space 2014 Spectrum usage
research, space operation and Earth exploration-
satellite services and IMT systems in the
frequency bands 2 025-2 110 MHz and
2 200-2 290 MHz
Rep. F. 2326 0 Sharing and compatibility study between indoor 2014 Spectrum usage
International Mobile Telecommunication small
cells and fixed service station in the
5 925-6 425 MHz frequency band
Rep. F. 2327 0 Sharing and compatibility study between 2014 Spectrum usage
International Mobile Telecommunication systems
and point-to-point fixed wireless systems in the
frequency band 4 400-4 990 MHz
Rep. F. 2328 0 Sharing and compatibility between International 2014 Spectrum usage
Mobile Telecommunication systems and fixed
service systems in the 3 400-4 200 MHz frequency
range
Rep. SA. 2329 0 Sharing assessment between meteorological- 2014 Spectrum usage
satellite systems and IMT stations in the
1 695-1 710 MHz frequency band
Rep. F. 2331 0 Sharing and compatibility between International 2014 Spectrum usage
Mobile Telecommunication systems and fixed
service systems in the 470-694/698 MHz
frequency range
Rep. RA. 2332 0 Compatibility and sharing studies between the 2014 Spectrum usage
radio astronomy service and IMT systems in the
frequency bands 608-614 MHz, 1 330-1 400 MHz,
1 400-1 427 MHz, 1 610.6-1 613.8 MHz, 1 660-
1 670 MHz, 2 690-2 700 MHz, 4 800-4 990 MHz
and 4 990-5 000 MHz
Rep. F. 2333 0 Sharing and compatibility study between 2014 Spectrum usage
International Mobile Telecommunication and the
fixed service in the frequency band 1 350-1 527
MHz
Rep. RS. 2336 0 Consideration of the frequency bands 1 375- 2014 Spectrum usage
1 400 MHz and 1 427-1 452 MHz for the mobile
service - Compatibility with systems of the Earth
exploration-satellite service within the 1 400-
1 427 MHz frequency band
Rep. BT. 2337 1 Sharing and compatibility studies between digital 2017 Spectrum usage
terrestrial television broadcasting and terrestrial
mobile broadband applications, including IMT, in
the frequency band 470-694/698 MHz
Rep. BT. 2338 0 Services ancillary to broadcasting/services 2014 Spectrum usage
ancillary to programme making spectrum use in
Region 1 and the implication of a co-primary
allocation for the mobile service in the frequency
band 694-790 MHz
Annex F 93

Rep. BT. 2339 0 Co-channel sharing and compatibility studies 2014 Spectrum usage
between digital terrestrial television broadcasting
and International Mobile Telecommunication in
the frequency band 694-790 MHz in the GE06
planning area
Rep. BS. 2340 0 Sharing between the mobile service and the 2014 Spectrum usage
broadcasting service in the 1 452-1 492 MHz
frequency band
Rep. S. 2367 0 Sharing and compatibility between International 2015 Spectrum usage
Mobile Telecommunication systems and fixed-
satellite service networks in 5 850-6 425 MHz
frequency range
Rep. S. 2368 0 Sharing studies between International Mobile 2015 Spectrum usage
Telecommunication-Advanced systems and
geostationary satellite networks in the fixed-
satellite service in the 3 400-4 200 MHz and
4 500-4 800 MHz frequency bands in the WRC
study cycle leading to WRC-15
Rep. M. 2374 0 Coexistence of two TDD networks in the 2015 Spectrum usage
2 300-2 400 MHz band
Rep. M. 2499 0 Synchronization of IMT-2020 Time Division 2021 Spectrum usage
Duplex networks
Rep. M. 2481 0 In-band and adjacent band coexistence and 2019 Spectrum usage
compatibility studies between IMT systems in
3 300-3 400 MHz and radiolocation systems in
3 100-3 400 MHz
Rep. M. 2242 0 Cognitive radio systems specific for IMT systems 2011 Technology
Spectrum usage
Rep. M. 2244 0 Isolation between antennas of IMT base stations in 2011 Technology
the land mobile service
Rep. M. 2334 0 Passive and active antenna systems for base 2014 Technology
stations of IMT systems
Rep. M. 2376 0 Technical feasibility of IMT in bands above 6 GHz 2015 Technology
Specifications and
characteristics
Rep. M. 2038 0 Technology trends 2003 Technology evolution
Rep. M. 2074 0 Radio aspects for the terrestrial component of 2006 Technology evolution
IMT-2000 and systems beyond IMT-2000
Rep. M. 2320 0 Future technology trends of terrestrial IMT 2014 Technology evolution
systems
Handbook 62 0 Global Trends in International Mobile 2015 Technology evolution
Telecommunications
Rec. M. 816 1 Framework for services supported on International 1997 Telecommunication
Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000) services and applications
IMT-2000
Rec. M. 1079 2 Performance and quality of service requirements 2003 Telecommunication
for International Mobile Telecommunications- services and applications
2000 (IMT-2000) access networks IMT-2000
Rec. M. 1822 0 Framework for services supported by IMT 2007 Telecommunication
services and applications

Rep. M. 2291 2 The use of International Mobile 2021 Telecommunication
Telecommunications for broadband public services and applications
protection and disaster relief applications
Rep. M. 2373 1 Audio-visual capabilities and applications 2018 Telecommunication
supported by terrestrial IMT systems services and applications
Rep. M. 2440 0 The use of the terrestrial component of 2018 Telecommunication
International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) services and applications
for narrowband and broadband machine-type
communications
Rep. M. 2441 0 Emerging usage of the terrestrial component of 2018 Telecommunication
International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT) services and applications
Rec. M. 1580 5 Generic unwanted emission characteristics of base 2014 Unwanted emissions
stations using the terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT-2000
IMT-2000
Rec. M. 1581 5 Generic unwanted emission characteristics of 2014 Unwanted emissions
mobile stations using the terrestrial radio IMT-2000
interfaces of IMT-2000
Rec. M. 2070 1 Generic unwanted emission characteristics of base 2017 Unwanted emissions
stations using the terrestrial radio interfaces of IMT-Advanced
IMT-Advanced
Rec. M. 2071 1 Generic unwanted emission characteristics of 2017 Unwanted emissions
mobile stations using the terrestrial radio IMT-Advanced
interfaces of IMT-Advanced
F.3 Work ongoing and underway in ITU-R WP5D

For the latest ongoing activities of ITU-R WP5D refer to the latest chairman’s report:
https://www.itu.int/ITU-R/go/rwp5d/
F.4 All list of ITU-R Recommendations and Reports on IMT

For a complete up-to-date list of published Recommendations, Reports and Handbooks on the terrestrial
component of IMT, refer to the Guide to the use of the ITU-R texts relating to the terrestrial component of
IMT: https://www.itu.int/oth/R0A060000AA/en
Annex G 95
ANNEX G
Technology migration in a given frequency band
G.1 Frequency resource assignments

Two frequency assignment modes are available, depending on the operator’s spectrum resource usage: edge
frequency assignment and sandwich frequency assignment These schemes are depicted in Figure 27.
FIGURE 27
Multi-RAT frequency assignments
Edge Frequency Assignment

The UMTS/LTE and GSM systems are arranged side-by-side and maintain standard central frequency
separation from the UMTS/LTE and GSM of other operators.
Sandwich Frequency Assignment
Within the frequency band of an operator, the UMTS/LTE is arranged in the middle with the GSM on both
sides. If the operator has abundant frequency resources, it may assign a second UMTS carrier or bigger
bandwidth LTE as network services expand. At this point, the UMTS/LTE can be arranged at one side of the
operator's frequency band for asymmetric sandwich assignment. The GSM spectrum at the other side is as
wide as possible, and thus the UMTS/LTE planned does not require adjustment, which facilitates smooth
capacity expansion.
For the single sided method, only one additional guard band is needed while in the sandwich assignment two
additional guard bands are needed. The sandwich assignment does not require the consideration of interference
with the systems of other operators.
Non-standard frequency separation planning

Due to limited frequency resources and high GSM capacity demand, non-standard frequency separation can
be adopted to increase frequency efficiency.
In UMTS 900 MHz network, the bandwidth may be less than 5 MHz because of smaller frequency resource
from GSM network. Thus, non-standard frequency separation is adopted. And UMTS 4.2 MHz is the
recommended solution for both UMTS network deployment feasibility and the benefit to GSM. Besides,
UMTS 4.6 MHz, 3.8 MHz also is possible to be adopted. In Figure 28, when using UMTS non-standard
bandwidth 4.6 MHz, 4.2 MHz, 3.8 MHz; 2, 4, 6 frequency channels can be saved for GSM correspondingly.
It is possible to operate WCDMA with a carrier as low as 4.2 MHz. However, it should be noted that even
though a bandwidth less than 5 MHZ is not standardized for MS or RBS (Radio Base Station), it only implies
minimal loss of capacity for WCDMA.
The sandwich assignment method is the preferred solution if 4.2 MHz is assigned for WCDMA. In that case
it is preferable to use WCDMA carrier centred in own spectrum to avoid un-coordinated scenarios with other
operators.
FIGURE 28
UMTS non-standard separation configuration
Annex G 97
For 1 800 MHz bands which preferable re-farming direction is LTE, a similar issue exists. If 1 800 MHz
frequency resource owned by one operator is insufficient, Compact Bandwidth can be enabled so that the
LTE1800 network can be deployed by re-farming from GSM networks.
GSM frequency resources are substantially reduced after re-farming. GSM traffic will not fall in the short term,
however, and in some areas may even increase slightly. This may result in capacity issues of GSM system.
This issue may be addressed through traffic migration and tight frequency reuse.
Buffer zone solution
In the case of GSM and UMTS/LTE co-channel interference, a space separation is required to reduce the co-
channel interference as illustrated in Figure 29 below. Areas with UMTS/LTE networks deployed and their
peripheral areas form a band-type area. In this area, GSM networks cannot use frequencies overlapped in
UMTS/LTE frequency spectrums and therefore GSM network capacity decreases. A large space separation
for co-channel interference decreases impacts of GSM and UMTS/LTE co-channel interference on network
performance. For space separation for co-channel interference, buffer zone planning solution is based on
emulation and onsite traffic statistics to accommodate different scenarios.
FIGURE 29
Buffer zone solution

G.2 Coexistence between GSM and IMT in the adjacent frequencies
G.2.1 Interference and intermodulation issues
Interference
When GSM re-farming is implemented, except for interference between GSM and UMTS/LTE under standard
separation or non-standard separation, narrow band interference in UMTS/LTE network is stricter. The narrow
band interference may be from GSM TRXs that are not cleared completely, or may be from external
interference source, like traffic light, broadcast signal, etc. These interference signals are not constant, and
their strength is variable.
Intermodulation
Intermodulation problems can occur after GSM re-farming, when GSM will coexist with UMTS or LTE in
one band. The intermodulation may be caused by antenna aging, feeder/jumper connection loose, etc., which
will also exist in all other RAT combinations as well (as well as single RAT GSM operation).
Guard band and carrier separation
The definition of guard band and carrier separation used in this document is shown in Figure 30 below.
FIGURE 30
Carrier separation and guard band
Carrier separation: the frequency band between two carrier centres.
Guard band: the unutilized frequency band between two carriers.
G.2.2 Coexistence between GSM and WCDMA

An example of Sharing/Coexistence between GSM and WCDMA in the adjacent frequencies is presented in
Figure 31. Given an operator that will deploy WCDMA within its current limited GSM spectrum the issues
can be summarized as:
– Re-farming of many GSM carriers makes the GSM frequency re-planning “difficult” but creates
“few” inter-system interference issues (case a) below).
– Re-farming of few GSM carriers makes the GSM frequency re-planning “easy” but creates
“severe” inter-system interference issues (case b) below).
Annex G 99
FIGURE 31
Two Re-farming scenarios
G.2.2.1 Interference and site scenarios

Due to the imperfectness of the transmitter and/or receiver we may list some interference scenarios on how
GSM and WCDMA interfere with each other.
FIGURE 32
What and where the potential problems are
As Figure 32 is illustrating, there are four important interference cases

– GSM downlink interfering with the WCDMA downlink
– WCDMA downlink interfering with the GSM downlink
– GSM uplink interfering with the WCDMA uplink
– WCDMA uplink interfering with the GSM uplink.
In addition there are two site scenarios to consider:

– Coordinated sites, i.e. the WCDMA and GSM antennas are co-located
– Un-coordinated sites, i.e. there is no site sharing.
G.2.2.2 WCDMA Downlink capacity loss due to GSM

The WCDMA DL (Downlink) capacity loss is controlled by the WCDMA terminal channel selectivity
requiring at least a 2.8 MHz separation.
It is therefore difficult to make a prediction about performance if the carrier separation is decreased. However,
regardless of the terminal performance, at a channel separation of 2.2-2.3 MHz the channel leakage increases
dramatically and would make it very difficult indeed to operate with this kind of channel separation.
However, if the GSM channel power is sufficiently controlled and the traffic load is small it is possible to
operate at a tolerable impact on the DL capacity.
One way of achieving this is to make sure that the GSM channels that overlap the WCDMA carrier (have
spacing smaller than 2.6 MHz) are used in a low traffic sub-cell layer and aggressive BTS power control is
used (and hence the impact on the DL WCDMA capacity also minimized).
G.2.2.3 WCDMA Uplink capacity loss due to GSM

The WCDMA UL (Uplink) capacity loss is assumed to be controlled by the GSM terminal channel leakage.
The GSM channel leakage behaves acceptable until 2.2-2.3 MHz carrier spacing, below which it becomes very
difficult to operate.
Note that GSM terminals have a limited dynamic range for power control and at some small path loss they
simply do not down regulate anymore. This implies that a single GSM terminal can cause severe WCDMA
UL noise rise and corresponding severe degradation in coverage.
The remedy here is to make sure that the load on overlapping carriers (any carrier with a channel separation to
the WCDMA carrier lower then say 2.4 MHz) must be very low indeed.
Another remedy is to avoid using these GSM carriers close to the base station.
G.2.2.4 GSM Uplink capacity loss due to WCDMA

The GSM UL performance is controlled by the WCDMA terminal channel leakage which is insignificant for
a 2.8 MHz carrier separation.
From the specification data the critical point comes below 2.5-2.6 MHz separation where the channel leakage
suddenly increases.
The GSM UL performance should degrade at channel separation below 2.5 MHz, however given that WCDMA
terminals have a much larger dynamic range in their power control it is a much less impacting effect than the
one expected in WCDMA UL loss and the GSM UL performance on channels overlapping the WCDMA
carrier is not significantly affected.
G.2.2.5 GSM Downlink capacity loss due to WCDMA

The GSM DL outage is insignificant for a 2.8 MHz carrier separation.
Assuming that the WCDMA base station controls the GSM DL performance at smaller channel separations a
critical point appears to be at channel spacing around 2.5-2.6 MHz. Going below that seems to be very difficult.
G.2.2.6 Summary
The preferred scenario is to use coordinated GSM and WCDMA sites and the WCDMA carrier sandwiched
in-between GSM carriers. The closest/overlapping GSM carriers should be TCH (Traffic Channel) only (not
a BCCH-Broadcast Control Channel- carrier), having the smallest traffic load possible and aggressive power
control. This setup allows the use of a carrier spacing as low as 2.5 MHz with low performance degradation
both on WCDMA and GSM.
Annex G 101
G.3 Coexistence of various GSM/CDMA-MC/UMTS/LTE technologies in 850 and

900 MHz bands
Although initially the 900 MHz band spectrum (UL: 880-915 MHz, DL: 925-960 MHz) was used for GSM
technology, at present in many countries this band is also being used for UMTS and LTE technologies.
Similarly, the 850 MHz band spectrum (UL: 824-849 MHz, DL: 869-894 MHz) is initially used for
CDMA-MC technology and now it is also being used for UMTS and LTE technologies, as a replacement.
Because of the closeness between the 850 MHz band downlink spectrum with the 900 MHz band uplink
spectrum, there is higher possibility for inter-band interference issues. Also due to multiple technologies being
used with the 850/900 MHz band spectrum, there is a possibility for intra-band interference issues happening
within the 850/900 MHz band spectrum. While collocated/coordinated deployments solve most of the intra-
band interference issues, the inter-band interference issues would exist in both collocated/non-collocated
deployment scenarios. The inter-band interference issues between the 850 MHz band downlink and the
900 MHz band uplink at 880/890 MHz boundary are very severe in nature and needs special attention to solve
those interference issues.
With CDMA, UMTS and LTE technologies being used in the 850 MHz band (assuming GSM850 possibility
in Asia-Pacific region is very remote) and any of the GSM, UMTS and LTE technologies being used in the
900 MHz band (as shown in Figure 33), the following types of inter-band interference issues are observed
between the 850 MHz band downlink and the 900 MHz band uplink at 880/890 MHz boundary:
– CDMA/UMTS/LTE850 base station transmission affecting the reception performance of

GSM/UMTS/LTE900 base station (900 MHz band uplink is getting affected).
– GSM/UMTS/LTE900 mobile transmission affecting the reception performance of the

CDMA/UMTS/LTE850 mobile (850 MHz band downlink is getting affected).
FIGURE 33
Inter-band interference issues between 850 and 900 MHz bands systems
G.3.1 Inter-band and intra-band interference issues between 850 and 900 MHz bands
The inter-band interference issues are mainly either downlink-uplink or uplink-downlink type of interference
issues and they are more severe in nature. This type of interference issues are difficult to deal with because
they would generally lead to performance degradation if not tackled properly. There are two types of inter-
band interference issues and they are:
– Downlink Tx of the last 850 MHz band carrier (base station transmit) affecting the first 900 MHz
band carrier’s Uplink Rx (base station receive);
– First 900 MHz band carrier’s Uplink Tx (mobile transmit) affecting the last 850 MHz band
carrier’s Downlink Rx (mobile receive).
The two major interference issues with aggressors transmit affecting victim’s receiver are:
– Out-of-band emissions (OOBE) of the aggressor signal entering as in-band interference that can
degrade the uplink performance at the victim’s receiver.
– High power adjacent channel signal of the aggressor acting as strong Adjacent Channel
Interference (ACI) which may desensitize the victim’s receiver.
While the OOBE type of interference can only be minimized at the source (at the aggressor’s transmitter) by
improving the Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio (ACLR) properties of the Aggressor through additional
transmit filtering, the ACI type of interference can be minimized at the destination (at the victim’s receiver)
by having better Adjacent Channel Selectivity (ACS) properties of the Victim through additional receive
filtering. To get the required additional ACLR/ACS characteristics, extra filtering is possible in the base
stations. Whereas, for cost and space reasons it may not be possible to have such additional filters in mobiles.
Minimum Coupling Loss (MCL) based approach can be used to calculate the amount of isolation required to
counter the effect of out-of-band emissions as well as the adjacent channel interference of the aggressor. The
required isolation in base station to base station inter-band interference issues is achieved partly through spatial
isolation from physical separation of antennas and remaining through special filters in Aggressor’s transmit
and Victim’s receive paths.
In the inter-band interference issues case, there are two different problems, one with the 850 MHz band base
station transmit signal affecting the performance of the 900 MHz band base station receive and the other with
the 900 MHz band mobile transmit affecting the performance of the 850 MHz band mobile receive. In case of
less than 90 dB of antenna isolation availability between the 850 MHz band base station and the 900 MHz
band base station antennas, assuming always 10 to 15 dB (more than the standards required value) of additional
ACLR and ACS would be available for base stations, then there is a need for additional 30+ dB of ACLR
(through OOBE filtering) in the 850 MHz band base station Tx path as well as additional 20+ dB of ACS
(through ACI filtering) in the 900 MHz band base stations’ Rx path.
In the case of the 900 MHz band mobile Tx affecting the 850 MHz band mobile Rx, interference free operation
is not possible as the additional ACLR/ACS requirement is high and also it is not possible (cost and space
point-of-view) to have additional filters in mobiles. However, the probability of mobile to mobile interference
happening is very low, because the conditions that two close by 900 MHz band and 850 MHz band mobiles
simultaneously in active state and both in weak coverage state is very rare. Even though there is no additional
filtering solution possible in mobiles (no mitigation solution available for the aggressor mobile Tx interference
on victim mobile Rx), due to very low probability of such mobile-to-mobile interference happening (less than
2%), the victim downlink degradation possibility would also be very less.
Hence, to avoid inter-band interference issues, it is advisable (to the mobile wireless operators) to procure base
station equipment along with such additional filtering in all UMTS850 and UMTS900 and LTE900 systems at
the time of initial purchase itself. If not done during initial purchase, it is also possible to add these additional
filters at a later stage.
As new IMT (e.g. UMTS, LTE) technologies gets introduced into the 900 MHz band spectrum as an overlay
over the existing GSM technology deployments by carving out some spectrum, special care has to be taken by
the operators on two fronts. One is choosing the right technology for the overlay and the other is the amount
of spectrum to be carved out for the new technology. Also to be kept in mind is the knowhow on the possible
intra-band interference issues and the ways and means to tackle such interference issues.
Annex G 103
The intra-band interference issues can occur between two technologies operating in adjacent slots of the
spectrum, especially when the base stations of these two technologies are deployed in an uncoordinated
fashion. In the overlay with new technology scenario, it is going to be mostly a coordinated deployment and
hence no intra-band interference issues. There is a slight advantage for UMTS900 overlay over the LTE900
overlay (in coordinated case), because of the additional guard band availability with a 5 MHz UMTS900
carrier, that allows two extra GSM (TCH) carriers in each side of the UMTS900 carrier (i.e. total of four GSM
carriers), compared to no extra GSM carriers possible with a 5 MHz LTE900 carrier. In an un-coordinated
(non-collocated) base station deployment (at the edge of operator’s spectrum) case, for minimal intra-band
interference; 5 MHz of spectrum is required to be carved out for a UMTS900 carrier and 5.2 MHz of spectrum
is required to be carved out for an LTE900 carrier.
G.3.2 Guard band requirement in inter-band case for cost-effective filtering

Sufficient guard band (GB) between two inter-band systems is required to not only achieve the standards based
ACLR and ACS values but also to have cost-effective filters in order to achieve additional isolation to fulfil
the total isolation requirement for interference free operation. For cost effective filtering in base stations, nearly
1.6 to 2.0 MHz of guard band is required between the two inter-band adjacent carriers. Any additional GB is
always good to have, as it would further help in getting increased isolation from filters at lesser cost, but it
would lead to spectrum wastage. Table 6 shown below gives suggested edge-to-edge separation (guard band)
in MHz between two adjacent aggressor and victim carriers. We assume, it is cost effectively possible to get
the required additional ACLR (up to 50 dB) for OOBE isolation and the required additional ACS (up to 35 dB)
for ACI isolation through special filters, with such amounts of GB provision.
TABLE 6
Suggested inter-band guard band between 850 and 900 MHz Bands carriers56
Suggested edge-to-edge separation

Technology in 850 MHz band Technology in 900 MHz band
(Guard band in MHz)
CDMA (1.23 MHz) GSM (200 kHz) 1.6
CDMA (1.23 MHz) UMTS (5 MHz) 1.6
CDMA (1.23 MHz) LTE (5/10/15/20 MHz) 1.8/2.1/2.5/3.0
UMTS (5 MHz) GSM (200 kHz) 1.6
UMTS (5 MHz) UMTS (5 MHz) 1.6
UMTS (5 MHz) LTE (5/10/15/20 MHz) 1.6/1.9/2.3/2.8
LTE (5/10/15/20 MHz) GSM (200 kHz) 1.8/2.1/2.5/3.0
LTE (5/10/15/20 MHz) UMTS (5 MHz) 1.6/1.9/2.3/2.8
LTE (5/10/15/20 MHz) LTE (5/10/15/20 MHz) 1.8/2.1/2.5/3.0
G.4 Coexistence studies from CEPT between GSM and other systems
When the European Commission issued a mandate to CEPT on the technical conditions for allowing LTE and
possibly other technologies within the bands 880-915 MHz / 925-960 MHz and 1 710-1 785 MHz /
56 This is based on the assumption of antenna isolation of 60 dB. For more detailed information please refer
to APT-AWG-REP-53 MIGRATION STRATEGY OF GSM TO MOBILE BROADBAND, September
2014.
1 805-1 880 MHz (900/1 800 MHz bands), it has been studied the technical conditions under which LTE
technology (and other technology identified) can be deployed in the 900/1 800 MHz bands.
CEPT Report 40 (“in band”)57 summarized the compatibility study for LTE and WiMAX operating within the
bands 880-915 MHz / 925-960 MHz and 1 710-1 785 MHz / 1 805-1 880 MHz (900/1 800 MHz bands).
Based on the analysis of the simulation results of the interference between LTE/WiMAX and GSM, the
frequency separation between the LTE/WiMAX channel edge and the nearest GSM carrier’s channel edge is
derived as follows:
– When LTE/WiMAX networks in 900/1 800 MHz band and GSM900/1 800 networks are in
uncoordinated operation, the recommended frequency separation between the LTE/WiMAX
channel edge and the nearest GSM carrier’s channel edge is 200 kHz or more.
– When LTE/WiMAX networks in 900/1 800 MHz band and GSM900/1 800 networks are in
coordinated operation (co-located sites), no frequency separation is required between the
LTE/WiMAX channel edge and the nearest GSM carrier’s channel edge.
– The recommended frequency separation of 200 kHz or more for the uncoordinated operation can
be reduced based on agreement between network operators, bearing in mind that the
LTE/WiMAX wideband system may suffer some interference from GSM due to LTE/WiMAX
BS/UE receiver narrow band blocking effect.
CEPT Report 41 (“adjacent band”)58 summarized compatibility study between LTE and WiMAX operating
within the bands 880-915 MHz / 925-960 MHz and 1 710-1 785 MHz/1 805-1 880 MHz (900/1 800 MHz
bands) and systems operating in adjacent bands
CEPT Report 4259 summarized the investigation on compatibility between UMTS and adjacent band systems
above 960 MHz. The Report focuses on the compatibility between UMTS 900 on the one hand, and the
aeronautical systems (existing: DME and future: L-DACS) in the band 960-1 215/1 164 MHz
57 CEPT Report 40, Compatibility study for LTE and WiMAX operating within the bands
880-915 MHz/925-960 MHz and 1 710-1 785 MHz/1 805-1 880 MHz (900/1 800 MHz bands).
58 CEPT Report 41, Compatibility between LTE and WiMAX operating within the bands
880-915 MHz/925-960 MHz and 1 710-1 785 MHz/1 805-1 880 MHz (900/1 800 MHz bands) and systems
operating in adjacent bands.
59 CEPT Report 42, Compatibility between UMTS and existing and planned aeronautical systems above
960 MHz.
International
Telecommunication
Union
Place des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
ISBN
ISBN: 978-92-61-36421-2
978-92-61-36421-2 SAP id
44941
9 789261 364212
Published in Switzerland
Geneva, 2022
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ITUPublications International Telecommunication Union

This International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Handbook on International Mobile Telecommunications

2 Usage evolution and service requirements ................................................................................. 2

3 IMT system characteristics, technologies and standards ............................................................ 16

4 IMT spectrum ............................................................................................................................. 42

5 Regulatory issues ....................................................................................................................... 45

6 Steps to consider in the deployment of IMT systems ................................................................ 47

7 Criteria leading to technology decisions .................................................................................... 54

ANNEX A – Abbreviations, acronyms, interface and reference points ............................................... 57

ANNEX B – Reference publications .................................................................................................... 65

ANNEX C – Applications and services ............................................................................................... 69

ANNEX D – Description of wireless backhaul systems ...................................................................... 73

ANNEX E – Description of external organizations ............................................................................. 75

ANNEX F – Published Recommendations, Reports and ongoing activities

ANNEX G – Technology migration in a given frequency band .......................................................... 95

1.1 Purpose and scope

1.2 Vocabulary of key terms used in this Handbook

2 Usage evolution and service requirements

2.2 Usage evolution

2.2.1 Mobile Internet usage

1 Ericsson, Ericsson Mobility Report (2021), available at

2.2.2 Mobile software application offerings (Apps)

4 Ericsson, Ericsson Mobility Report (2021), available at https://www.ericsson.com/en/mobility-

2.2.3 Video traffic

2.2.4 Social networks on mobile

7 GSMA, The Mobile Economy 2021, available at https://www.gsma.com/mobileeconomy/wp-

2.2.5 Machine-to-machine traffic

10 Google, “Our Mobile Planet”, available at http://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/mobileplanet/en/

2.2.6 Other drivers of future data traffic

2.3 Market directions

2.3.1 Global IMT subscriber information from 2020 to 2026

2.3.2 Device type

2.3.3 Network and user experience improvement

21 GSMA, The Mobile Economy 2021, available at

2.3.4 Policy initiatives to promote mobile broadband

2.4 Key features of IMT

2.4.1 Key features of IMT-2000

2.4.2 Key features of IMT-Advanced

2.4.3 Key features of IMT-2020

2.4.3.1 Usage scenarions for IMT-2020 and beyond

2.5 Servicing urban, rural and remote areas

2.5.1 Fixed wireless access (FWA) in the mobile service

2.6 Use of IMT for specific applications

2.6.1 Use of IMT for PPDR applications

2.6.2 Use of IMT for MTC applications

2.6.3 Use of IMT for audio-visual services

2.6.4 Vertical industries

2.6.5 Use of IMT for transport applications

• Utilities such as smart grids and water management

• Healthcare applications such as remote surgery and clinical wearables

• Mobile health applications

2.7 Considerations for developing countries

Barriers to access and public policies to overcome barriers

Barrier/obstacle Examples of strategies to overcome the barriers

3 IMT system characteristics, technologies and standards

3.2 IMT system concepts and objectives

IMT system concepts

3.2.1 Capabilities of IMT-2020

Objectives from multiple perspectives