Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocations.

SACFA Full Form:  Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocations.

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

Main & Broad Functions of SACFA

1.    To make recommendations on major frequency allocation problems requiring co-ordination amongst various wireless users in the Country.

2.    Siting clearance of all wireless Installations in the Country.

3.    Formulation of National Frequency Allocation Plan.

4.    Making recommendations on various issues related to International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT).

5.    To sort out the problems referred to the Committee by various wireless users.

6.    Demarcation of different cities into receiving and transmitting zones.

7.    Finalising Guidelines regarding provision of Day and Night Obstruction markings on radio masts /towers.

8.    Feasibility of sharing of an antenna mast by more than one wireless user.

9.    Discussion and seeking solution of Interference cases of special nature/cases of anomalous propagation intercepted by Monitoring Organisation.

10.  Review of frequencies authorised/licenses issued to various wireless users in the country.

11.  Infringement of Wireless operations intercepted by various Wireless monitoring stations and remedial measures taken by various wireless users.

12.  Evolution of special procedures for clearances of sites of certain services.

Procedures for siting clearance

1. Siting clearances are necessary for all static Wireless stations whether temporary or permanent, whether transmitting or receiving.

2. Siting clearances are not necessary for

• All Wireless stations which are functionally mobile.
• Stations in the Amateur service

3. Working arrangements

1.  The party desirous of applying site clearance shall apply in the prescribed form, depending upon the category of siting clearance to the concerned SACFA members.
2. SACFA members examine the applications according to their requirements and issues a No Objection certificate (NOC), to     Secretary SACFA.
3. Members carry out detailed technical evaluation, including field surveys, at times, if in need.
4. Technical evaluation is done primarily done for –

Ø  Aviation Hazards

Ø  Obstruction to line of sight of existing/planned networks

Ø  Interference (EMI/EMC) to existing/proposed networks.

5. Secretary SACFA issues the final clearance after getting NOC’s from all SACFA members

Different Siting Clearances

• Restricted or Mast Height Clearances.
• Site Clearance Exemption
• Full siting Clearance
• Additional Antenna Clearance.

Mast Height Clearance can be obtained for

Stations whose mast/tower height do not exceed 30 meters above ground level provided

1.    HF stations with power output 125 W or less

1.    VHF stations below 174 MHz with power output of 50 W or less except broadcast stations

2.    VHF stations in the band 174-230 MHz with an output    power upto 25 watts except broadcast stations

3.    Broadcast stations in the band 30-230 MHz with an output power upto 100 watts

4.    VHF/UHF stations below 608 MHz with a power output   upto 10 watts

Application for this type of clearance in form WPC-S1 are  to be forwarded to SACFA members.

Site Clearance Exemption is for

1.    Mast Height cases with following conditions are exempted from Mast Height clearances.

1.    Antenna mast installed on roof of a building.

2.    Mast height on roof top not more than 3 meters

3.    Site at least 3 Kms away from the nearest Airport.

Applications form WPC-S1 to be forwarded to   Secretary, SACFA for this category.

Full Site Clearance is required for

1.    HF Stations with Power Output more than 125 watts.

1.    VHF stations below 174 MHz with Power Output > 50 watts.

2.    Broadcasting Stations in the band 30-230 MHz with Power Output > 100 watts.

3.    UHF stations with Power Output > 10 W

4.    Station in Microwave band, Line of sight Radio relay systems.

5.    Radar stations, space satellite communications system, Radio Navigation and Radio location system.

6.    Receiving stations in services like space research, radio Astronomy.

7.    Any other change in existing parameters other than reduction in power & mast height of the approved parameters.

8.    Applications form WPC-S2 to be forwarded to members as per list in Annexure-II.

Additional Antenna Clearance for

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 for this category.

Special Procedures for certain types of Wireless Stations.

1.    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

2.    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.

1.    Value added Services.

2.    MARR

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), & ³ 7 Km from airport reference point (ARP).

Mast Height Category

1.    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.

2.    Applications in WPC S-4. to be circulated by the applicant to the above organisations with a copy to Secretary SACFA

3.    Clearance needed from Army,Air and Navy Headquarters; JCES and AAI under Mast Height category.

4.    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.

Full siting category

1.    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

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

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.

Sites of Value added Services

Procedures

1.    Applicant permitted to apply for frequency assignment and site clearance simultaneously.

2.    Applicant must ensure all SACFA members receive their siting applications in time.

3.    Applicant must select more than 1 site for base station & discuss with AAI, Air & Naval Hqs before formally filing applications.

4.    SACFA members to forward their comments/clearances to Secretary, SACFA within 8 weeks from date of circulation.

5.    Secretary, SACFA will convene meeting from time to time for expeditious clearance of sites.

6.    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.

MARR

1. Frequency Band of Operation

1.    146.45 – 147.95 MHz

2.    151.5 – 153 MHz

3.    164.5 – 166.5 MHz

4.    171 – 173 MHz

5.    Power Output 5 Watts

2. Antenna Height:

a. Base Station: 50 meters

b. Subscriber Station: 15 meters

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

1.    Subscribers station considered under exemption category provided

2.    proposed site is located at a distance of ³ 3 km from the boundary /outer fencing of an aerodome and from any navigational aid/radar.

3.    Top elevation (Mast height + site elevation) of the proposed mast did not exceed 100 feet above ARP elevation of the nearest aerodome.

4.    Second Harmonic radiation should be suppressed to –50 dB.

5.    MARR stations of DOT would not be installed around Narayangaon, Pune (19°05’30”N, 74°02’53”E)

6.    within 65 Kms in frequency band 151.5 – 152 MHz

7.    within 400 Kms I frequency band 152 – 153 MHz

8.    DOT would take necessary measures for protection of existing RF 1 sensitive radio installation of DOS.

9.    Normal Procedure of siting clearance in vogue would be followed

10.  For all subscriber stations within 100 Kms of national boundary of the country with minimum use of frequency band 151.5 – 153 MHz.

11.  For all stations not covered as stated above.

Guidelines for filing Site Applications

Necessary information may be furnished keeping in view

1.    Geo-Coordinates of the site in 6 digits.

2.    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.

3.    Name of the nearest airport and it’s distance from the site.

4.    For site within 5 Km from airport, site map to be authenticated by either AAI or municipal/town bodies etc.

5.    The map should be of scale 1cm=1km or nearest & should cover 12 Km radius from the site and should mark  scale location name and geo-coordinates of the site.

6.    contain at least 2 parallel lines of latitude and longitude.

7.    Geo-Coordinates on the map should be authenticated by applicant himself.

8.    Applications hard copy along with soft copy on a floppy of 3.5” be submitted for examination, verification and issue of ID No’s to SACFA Secretariat.

9.    Not more than 5 copies should be submitted in 1 bunch.

10.  Separate applications for different freq. bands/sites.

11.  After obtaining ID’s, siting application is to be circulated as per list applicable to each category of siting clearance

12.  Applications for additional antenna category need to be circulated to all members of SACFA but NOC’s from DD, Army HQ, JCES & DOS are necessary for approval of site.

13.  For Mast Height Clearance, applications to be sent to the members as listed in Annexure IV

14.  Copy of the agreement letter assigning the frequencies from WPC should be attached with application.

15.  Copy of DOT’s license agreement may also be endorsed in case of value added service.

SACFA Application Forms

1.    Mast height Clearance                    4              WPC S-1

1.    Site Clearance Exemption               4              WPC S-1

2.    Full Site Clearance                          4               WPC S-2

3.    Additional Antenna Clearance         4               WPC S-3

4.    Mast Height Clearance V-Sat          4                WPC S-4

Day and Night Obstruction Markings

Day

1.    All antennae to be painted with orange and white bands of 5m width

2.    All antennae above 45 m height, guy wires, where used, should have 60 cm diameter plastic/fiber glass orange and white balls

Night

1.    In addition to above for antennae above 45 m height-

2.    A red light of 1800 cp blinking @ 20 times per minute on top of the antenna

3.    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.