SACFA

Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocations.

SACFA

SACFA
 SET UP under the Ministry of Communications in the year 1966 after the dissolution of the Radio and Cable Board (RCB)  A High Level Committee.  The Committee is advisory in nature and the final responsibility for the decisions and related implementation rests with the GOVT.

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Composition
Chairman Members - Secretary (DOT)/ Chairman Telecom Commission. - Heads of Major Wireless Users/Administrative Ministries of the Govt. of India. - Member (Technology), Telecom Commission. - Wireless Advisor to the Govt. Of India - Joint Secretary, DOT - Other members as per list

Secretary - Joint Wireless Advisor Secretariat - WPC Wing, Ministry of Communications ________________________________________________
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Main & Broad Functions

To make recommendations on major frequency allocation problems requiring co-ordination amongst various wireless users in the Country. Formulation of National Frequency Allocation Plan. Making recommendations on various issues related to International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) To sort out the problems referred to the Committee by various wireless users. Siting clearance of all wireless Installations in the Country. ________________________________________________
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OTHER Functions & Related Activities

Demarcation of different cities into receiving and transmitting zones. Finalising Guidelines regarding provision of Day and Night Obstruction markings on radio masts /towers. Feasibility of sharing of an antenna mast by more than one wireless user. Discussion and seeking solution of Interference cases of special nature/cases of anomalous propagation intercepted by Monitoring Organisation. Review of frequencies authorised/licenses issued to various wireless users in the country. Infringement of Wireless operations intercepted by various Wireless monitoring stations and remedial measures taken by various wireless users. Evolution of special procedures for clearances of sites of certain services.

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Formulation of NFAP
A special committee set up by the Govt. of India, Ministry of Communications under the auspices of SACFA. Chaired by Wireless Advisor to GOI. First Integrated plan up-to 15.35 GHz known as National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP-81) Later NFAP extended up-to 40 GHz. Reviewed again in pursuance to the New Telecom Policy 1999 (NTP 1999) and developed NFAP-2000, to meet the requirements of various services in the Govt. and Private sectors in the country Channeling Plans in various Frequency Bands also included in NFAP Another review of NFAP was taken up last year and the new NFAP-2002 has come into effect from Jan 2002. ________________________________________________
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Procedures for siting clearance

Cases where siting clearances are necessaryAll static Wireless stations whether temporary or permanent, whether transmitting or receiving.

Cases where siting clearances are not necessaryAll Wireless stations which are functionally mobile. Stations in the Amateur service

Working arrangementsThe party desirous of applying site clearance shall apply in the prescribed form, depending upon the category of siting clearance to the concerned SACFA members. See details in guidelines. SACFA members examine the applications according to their requirements and issues a No Objection certificate (NOC), to Secretary SACFA. cont

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.....cont

Members carry out detailed technical evaluation, including field surveys, at times, if in need.

Technical evaluation is done primarily done for Aviation Hazards Obstruction to line of sight of existing/planned networks Interference (EMI/EMC) to existing/proposed networks.

Secretary SACFA issues the final clearance after getting NOCs from all SACFA members. _____________________________________________
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Siting Clearances
 Restricted or Mast Height Clearances.  Site Clearance Exemption  Full siting Clearance  Additional Antenna Clearance. ________________________________________________

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Mast Height Clearance

 Stations whose mast/tower height do not exceed 30 meters above ground level provided - HF stations with power output 125 W or less - VHF stations below 174 MHz with power output of 50 W or less except broadcast stations - VHF stations in the band 174-230 MHz with an output power upto 25 watts except broadcast stations - Broadcast stations in the band 30-230 MHz with an output power upto 100 watts - VHF/UHF stations below 608 MHz with a power output upto 10 watts
-Applications form WPC-S1 to be forwarded to SACFA members. __________________________________________________
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Site Clearance Exemption

Mast Height cases with following conditions are exempted from Mast Height clearances
Antenna mast installed on roof of a building Mast height on roof top not more than 3 meters Site at least 3 Kms away from the nearest Airport. Applications form WPC-S1 to be forwarded to Secretary, SACFA.

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Full Site Clearance

HF Stations with Power Output more than 125 watts. VHF stations below 174 MHz with Power Output " 50 watts. Broadcasting Stations in the band 30-230 MHz with Power Output " 100 watts. UHF stations with Power Output " 10 W Station in Microwave band, Line of sight Radio relay systems. Radar stations, space satellite communications system, Radio Navigation and Radio location system. Receiving stations in services like space research, radio Astronomy. Any other change in existing parameters other than reduction in power & mast height of the approved parameters. Applications form WPC-S2 to be forwarded to members as per list in Annexure-II. ________________________________________________
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Additional Antenna Clearance

Antenna which are to be installed in the existing mast already cleared by SACFA.

Applications form WPC-S3 to be forwarded to SACFA members as per Annexure-III. No NOC(s) from SACFA members will be required for clearing sites under this category. SACFA Sectt. will issue the siting clearance after ensuring the receipt of SACFA applications by all SACFA members.
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Special Procedures for certain types of Wireless Stations.

V-SAT/Micro-Earth Station in C band, extended C-band & Ku band with power restricted to 5 W and with a maximum Antenna size 3.8 m
Procedures in respect of sites of software units and for last mile connectivity for sites of Internet services in the frequency band 2.4-2.4835 GHz using spread spectrum techniques with maximum E.I.R.P of 4 W.

Value added Services. MARR _________________________________________________

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V-Sat of antenna Dia up to 3.8 m

Exemption Category:
Siting clearance exempted for antenna height of 4 m above ground level (AGL), & u 7 Km from airport reference point (ARP).

Mast Height Category

For antenna height between 4 m and 20 m AGL, or antenna installed on top of an existing building, irrespective of its height, clearances has to be obtained from Army, Air and Naval Hqrs, JCES and AAI. Applications in WPC S-4. to be circulated by the applicant to the above organisations with a copy to Secretary SACFA Clearance needed from Army,Air and Navy Headquarters; JCES and AAI under Mast Height category. SACFA secretariat will issue a formal site clearance after receipt a NOC from the above agencies. However, for a distance of more than 7 KM from ARP and antenna height less than 20 m (inclusive height of the building), NOC has to be obtained only from AAI. cont......
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....cont

Full siting category

For antenna height more than 20 m AGL, irrespective of whether the antenna is installed on ground or on roof top, the cases will be treated under full siting procedures of SACFA

Applications form WPC-S4 to be forwarded to SACFA members as per Annexure-III. ________________________________________________

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Procedures in respect of sites of software units and for last mile connectivity for sites of Internet services in the frequency band 2.4-2.4835 GHz using spread spectrum techniques with maximum E.I.R.P of 4 W.
application need to be circulated to the SACFA members in application form WPC S-2 site cleared on receipt of NOC from AAI & Air Hqrs within 6 weeks. Member(s) having any objection may indicate the same to Secretary (SACFA) within this time in case of interference to the existing users from software units, immediate remedial action should be taken; otherwise operation has to be stopped. Applications form WPC-S2 to be forwarded to SACFA members as per list at Annexure II. ___________________________________________
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Sites of Value added Services

Procedures Applicant permitted to apply for frequency assignment and site clearance simultaneously. Applicant must ensure all SACFA members receive their siting applications in time. Applicant must select more than 1 site for base station & discuss with AAI, Air & Naval Hqs before formally filing applications. SACFA members to forward their comments/clearances to Secretary, SACFA within 8 weeks from date of circulation. Secretary, SACFA will convene meeting from time to time for expeditious clearance of sites. Applicant will forward a copy of the agreement letter issued by LR section, WPC to Secretary, SACFA. SACFA will thereafter clear the site provided all the SACFA members have cleared the site. ___________________________________________________
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MARR
Frequency Band of Operation
146.45 147.95 MHz 151.5 153 MHz 164.5 166.5 MHz 171 173 MHz

Power Output 5 Watts Antenna Height:

Base Station: 50 meters Subscriber Station: 15 meters

Base Station with above parameters would be considered under Mast height Clearance Procedure with NIB/NPB. ______________________________________________ cont

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cont
Subscribers station considered under exemption category provided proposed site is located at a distance of u 3 km from the boundary /outer fencing of an aerodome and from any navigational aid/radar. Top elevation (Mast height + site elevation) of the proposed mast did not exceed 100 feet above ARP elevation of the nearest aerodome. Second Harmonic radiation should be suppressed to 50 dB. MARR stations of DOT would not be installed around Narayangaon, Pune (190530N, 740253E) within 65 Kms in frequency band 151.5 152 MHz within 400 Kms I frequency band 152 153 MHz DOT would take necessary measures for protection of existing RF 1 sensitive radio installation of DOS. Normal Procedure of siting clearance in vogue would be followed For all subscriber stations within 100 Kms of national boundary of the country with minimum use of frequency band 151.5 153 MHz. For all stations not covered as stated above. _____________________________________________________
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Guidelines for filing Site Applications

Necessary information may be furnished keeping in view
Geo-Coordinates of the site in 6 digits. Height of the site AMSL should be obtained from Survey of India except in the case of additional antenna category for which AAI clearance is needed. Name of the nearest airport and its distance from the site. For site within 5 Km from airport, site map to be authenticated by either AAI or municipal/town bodies etc. The map should
be of scale 1cm=1km or nearest & should cover 12 Km radius from the site. mark
scale location name and geo-coordinates of the site.

contain at least 2 parallel lines of latitude and longitude. Geo-Coordinates on the map should be authenticated by applicant himself. cont .

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......cont Applications hard copy along with soft copy on a floppy of 3.5 be submitted for examination, verification and issue of ID Nos to SACFA Secretariat. Not more than 5 copies should be submitted in 1 bunch. Separate applications for different freq. bands/sites. After obtaining IDs, siting application is to be circulated as per list applicable to each category of siting clearance Applications for additional antenna category need to be circulated to all members of SACFA . For Mast Height Clearance, applications to be sent to the members as listed in Annexure IV Copy of the agreement letter assigning the frequencies from WPC should be attached with application. Copy of DOTs license agreement may also be endorsed in case of value added service.
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Application Forms Mast height Clearance Site Clearance Exemption Full Site Clearance  WPC S-1  WPC S-1  WPC S-2

Additional Antenna Clearance WPC S-3 Mast Height Clearance V-Sat  WPC S-4 __________________________________
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Day and Night Obstruction Markings

Day
All antennae to be painted with orange and white bands of 5m width All antennae above 45 m height, guy wires, where used, should have 60 cm diameter plastic/fiber glass orange and white balls

Night
In addition to above for antennae above 45 m heightA red light of 1800 cp blinking @ 20 times per minute on top of the antenna 2 red lights to be installed at every 45 m for antenna height higher than 45 m (e.g. an antenna of 118 m would be provided with a pair of red light @ 45 m, another pair at 90 m and a blinking red light at the top of the area.

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Thank You