2014 is a challenging year especially on spectrum monitoring in our efforts to create an efficient spectrum environment throughout Malaysia, without any interference. As in previous years, we will continue to face this challenge since spectrum resource is depleting, at a rate made faster by the flooding of new technologies and the extensive use of wireless electronic devices among consumers.
As demand for broadband service using smart phones increases among consumers, service providers are forced to restructure the existing spectrum use to allow consumers to use Internet facility more extensively. The restructuring of spectrum has resulted in the discovery of new interferences experienced by, for examples, 3G or LTE broadband services. Previously, these interferences did not have any impact on legacy system such as GSM technology.
In 2014, a total of 147 cases of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) were handled by the Department through reports made by the licence holders, service providers as well as consumers. The
following pie chart shows the RFI categories according to service, based on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
11
6
5
5
119
Mobile Service
Fixed Service Broadcasting
Service
Aeronautical
ISM
Amateur Service
1
Spectrum Interference Report According to Service in 2014
Spectrum Interference Cases in 2014
Overall frequency interference cases investigated and closed in 2014 are shown in the table below.
The total number of RFI cases under investigation in 2014, including from previous year, is 352 cases.
Category No of Cases
Cases reported in 2014 (refer to the pie chart) 147
Cases carried forward to 2014 from the previous year 306
Cases under investigation in 2014 453
Total overall cases resolved in 2014 177
Still under investigation as of December 2014 276
Device Use Interference to
DECT telephone Wireless telephone used at home/office WCDMA 2100
Remote RFID transmitter Residential building/office for automatic
gate system WCDMA 900
Repeater that does not
function properly Installed by operators, hotels and the public to improve cellular signals in the building
All frequency bands for cellular
Wireless CCTV Premises and house security WCDMA 900
Baby Monitor Used by parents to audio-monitor to
their babies in another room WCDMA 2100 Table 2: Overall spectrum interference cases under investigation in 2014
Table 3: Non-standard Electronic Devices
Majority of the cases under investigation are related to interference to WiMAX service, experienced due to interference from the use of AV transmitters by the public. WiMAX service using 2.3GHz frequency was interfered by AV transmitter operation frequency, from 2370Mhz to 2390Mhz.
The AV transmitter is a non-standard wireless device transmitting frequency that is illegal in
Malaysia. In addition, the device has not been approved by SIRIM. Most consumers purchased these transmitters online and they were brought in by sellers from countries such as Taiwan or China where the use of frequency is very different from Malaysia.
Apart from that, there were frequency interferences experienced by cellular phone service using WCDMA technology at 900MHz and 2100MHz frequencies. This interference is mostly caused by non-standard electronic devices used by the public and service providers as follows:-
Non-standard Electronic Devices
Monitoring Service Quality of Cellular Network (EESAT)
EESAT or Extensive End-Point Service Availability Test is carried out periodically or monthly according to area. The Spectrum Engineering and Interference Resolution Department is tasked to conduct EESAT every month for protocol route areas. Through this test, MCMC is able to monitor the service quality of cellular network provided by leading service providers in certain areas by evaluating the rate of dropped calls and blocked calls. Through this monitoring activity, the performance of cellular service can be improved, hence, the consumers who subscribe the service.
The protocol routes that have been established for EESAT are as follows:-
Area Distance (km)
Cyberjaya 30
Putrajaya 55
MEX highway (both ways) 50
KLIA to Subang Airport through
ELITE and NKVE 123
Total 258
To curb the wide spread use of non-standard equipment among the public, MCMC, since 2012, had carried out various public awareness campaigns through the media and advertorials in leading newspapers to highlight the offence of using non-standard devices.
The awareness campaign was continued in 2014 following the increase in the use of non- standard equipment. The same campaign was also published in MCMC website.
Monitoring is carried out through a ‘drive test’ method where calls are made from a vehicle driving through a main road. Test equipment is operated to make the calls automatically throughout the drive.
Radio environment and signal strength for each service provider’s network can be identified using this method. Therefore, when problems are identified in that area, the relevant network operator can be informed so that improvement can be made.
Monitoring of Special Occasions
Over the years, more and more international events are hosted in Malaysia that require extensive use of radio communications. The events that require SKMM to monitor the use of frequency in 2014 are:-
i. FIA Formula One Grand Prix ii. Moto GP
iii. FIA Formula E
iv. World Superbike Championship
Prior to approval, the use of frequency by these events will be analysed first to prevent frequency interference on the existing services. A mobile surveillance system is also used at the event site to identify the radio environment in the area. For Formula E, the areas involved were Sepang International Circuit and Putrajaya. MCMC acts as the technical coordinator of spectrum use to ensure the events take place without any disruptions.
Projects Related to Spectrum Regulation
A few projects related to spectrum regulation were implemented in 2014. One of them is the upgrading of Data Collection Mobile Unit (DCMU) where a new vehicle is modified for the purpose of mobile spectrum monitoring. The use of the new vehicle is expected to make the monitoring operation and spectrum regulation more effective, due to the ability of the vehicle to house heavy equipment. The project is still in progress.
In 2014, MCMC also conducted inspection to several building sites, which have been identified as part of the project to upgrade the National Spectrum Monitoring Operation Centre or NASMOC. The project is a continuation of existing NASMOCs, which can be found nationwide. New areas that have been identified for the expansion of NASMOC are given below:-
REGION AREA
North Manjung, Perak
Taiping, Perak
East Dungun, Terengganu
Besut, Terengganu Tanah Merah, Kelantan
Kuala Lumpur Wangsa Maju
Kepong/Selayang Cyberjaya/Putrajaya
Kajang/Bangi
Shah Alam Subang Jaya/USJ
Klang
Seremban Seremban 2
Sepang Sepang International Circuit (SIC) KLIA/KLIA 2