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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list recent spectrum sharing arrangements between military and civil users. [40318] Mr. Arbuthnot: My Department has for many years pursued a policy fo sharing its spectrum with civil usage where military interests are not prejudiced. For example, in the 400 to 450 MHz band, channels have been shared or released for civil use including channel tunnel communications co-ordinated with France, private business radio in conurbations, civil data services, police helicopter communications and HM Customs and Excise communications UK-wide. Shortage of spectrum for cellular telephones led to a sharing arrangement of MOD training spectrum at 870 to 888 MHz and 915 to 933 MHz. As these band are given up by the cellular operators, they will be shared with other civil users under European co-ordination agreements. These frequency bands are subject to retrieval by the Department when necessary. Wideband channels have been agreed in the bands 2340, 2400 and 2420 MHz for use by outside broadcasting operators, subject to military site restrictions. In addition, two wideband channels at 3425 and 3475 MHz have been agreed for wireless local loop installations, although some prior co-ordination of transmitter sites may be required to protect military installations. Wideband channels have been agreed for local area network MOD spectrum at 10.15 to 10.3 GHz subject to military site restrictions. Permanent sharing arrangements exist in the aeronautical radionavigation bands for military and civil aircraft. Similarly, MOD bands are shared with amateur radio operators, on a non-interference basis to military systems, which allows the amateurs the freedom to develop their activities without detailed case-by-case co-ordination.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

40318; 282 c781W;282 c779W

Session

1995-96

Subjects

Radio frequencies Radio Ministry of Defence