“Spectrum Refarming” refers to the process of repurposing a frequency band initially allocated to one technology for another, within cellular radio network planning and optimization. It’s a strategy used by network operators to adapt to evolving technology demands and improve the efficiency of spectrum use.
Here’s how spectrum refarming works:
1. Assessment of Spectrum: Operators evaluate their current spectrum allocations and identify bands that can be repurposed for newer technologies.
2. Regulatory Compliance: They ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for spectrum use and seek approvals if necessary.
3. Technical Planning: The technical aspects involve planning how to redistribute the spectrum among different technologies, such as transitioning from GSM to LTE or UMTS to LTE.
4. Implementation: This includes reconfiguring network equipment and updating software to support the new technology on the refarmed spectrum.
5. Optimization: After implementation, continuous monitoring and optimization are necessary to ensure the network performs efficiently with the new technology.
Benefits of Spectrum Refarming include:
• Cost-Effectiveness: It allows operators to increase capacity for newer technologies like UMTS/LTE without bidding for new spectrum.
• Improved Coverage: Lower frequencies, typically allocated to GSM networks, provide better coverage, especially in rural areas and for indoor urban coverage.
• Quality of Service: Fewer base stations mean fewer handovers, enhancing the quality of service.
Challenges include:
• Technical Prerequisites: Operators must have sufficient contiguous spectrum to support the operation of multiple technologies simultaneously.
• Mixed Use of Frequency Bands: There are challenges related to bandwidth allocation across bands when different technologies use the same frequency.
Spectrum refarming is not limited to GSM; UMTS spectrum can also be refarmed to increase LTE capacity. It’s a crucial technique for telecom operators to maximize spectral efficiency and meet the increasing demand for high-capacity, high-data-rate cellular networks.