Public hearings on the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Bill [B17-2007]

(Notice 631 of 2007, GG 29897)Portfolio Committee on Science and

Technology1 August 2007

Dr Andrew BarendseMr Johan SmitMr Elton de Bruin Ms Mpumie Plaatjie

Slide 2

Introduction

• SA telecom sector undergoing period of rapid change in terms of:– Licence conversion process– Market reviews– Africa’s satellite, terrestrial and undersea

connectivity• AGA bill addresses many issues which is

extremely complex and could fundamentally alter the use of radio frequency in South Africa

Potential far reaching impact on Telkom

Slide 3

Background – importance of radio astronomy

• Telkom acknowledge that:– SA have areas very suitable for astronomy,

including radio astronomy– There are unique opportunities that

projects, such as SKA and MeerKAT, will bring to SA

– Radio astronomy sites must be protected against radio frequency interference

– Very stringent levels of protection is required for radio astronomy sites

There is however a price to pay – the question iswhat and how much?

Slide 4

The bigger picture – many stakeholders

Department of Science andTechnology

Department of Transport

Department of Environmental Affairs

and Tourism

Department ofCommunications

RadioFrequencySpectrum

RadioFrequencySpectrum

Comm’s &Broadcasting

Comm’s &Broadcasting

Radio astronomy

Radio astronomy

MaritimeAeronautical

MaritimeAeronautical

WeatherWeather+ DoD, DTI, etc.

Slide 5

History of AGA Bill – Telkom’s involvement• Telkom consulted during initial Northern Cape frequency

investigations for SKA site – 2003/2004• Draft 5 of the Bill (13 April 2006)

– Received via the SKA Project office – 1 June ‘06– Submission made – 23 June ‘06– Telkom expressed concerns on certain matters– Many of Telkom’s inputs accepted

• AGA Bill (25 May 2007):– Inputs requested by DST - 25 May ’07– Submission made - 4 June ’07– Inputs requested by Portfolio Committee on Science

and Technology, submission 29 June ’07– Oral hearings – 31 July to 1 Aug ’07– Future actions?

Slide 6

Summary of Telkom’s key arguments• Further consultations:

– Declaration and designation of astronomy areas and activities

– Prior to making regulations– Include all relevant stakeholders

• Undertaking of regulatory impact analysis on the use of radio spectrum:– Operational implications on telecom operators– Financial compensation where necessary

• Clarify definitions:– Astronomy devices, astronomy advantage areas,

activity, material financial implication• Consistency with other regulations:

– ECA 2005– Regulations under Telecommunications Act 1996– Scope of regulatory oversight

Slide 7

Agenda

• International management of radio astronomy• International recognition of SKA• National coordination of SKA• Why is Telkom concerned?• Conclusions and recommendations

Slide 8

SKA - international recognition

• Radio astronomy is one of many ITU defined services

• Frequency spectrum is allocated to various services; either exclusively or on a shared basis

• International recognition for stations is given through notification to ITU (MIFR)

• If outside ITU allocations, notification is for information only - non conformity assignment

• Non conformity assignment operate on “non–interference–non–protection basis”– Will apply to SKA w.r.t international

recognition– SKA receive only, cannot cause interference

Slide 9

SKA – national coordination

• SA has sovereign right w.r.t the use of the radio frequency spectrum

• Sharing between radio astronomy and other services can generally be managed

• Radio astronomy services allocated internationally accepted bands in SA and protected through SATFA

• Frequency bands are shared between services:– Frequency separation– Geographic separation– Mitigation and sharing techniquesWhy then are operators concerned with SKA/AGA?

Slide 10

Telkom concerns – general SKA specifics• Frequency of operation

– 70 MHz to 25 GHz, going far beyond standard radio astronomy allocations, into communications allocations‣ Not appropriate, should be applied with discretion

• Sensitivity of SKA– 50 to 100 times more sensitive than existing

astronomy devices‣ Mitigation techniques should be applied by SKA to

share coordination burden• Size of SKA (area)

– Many antenna over very large area‣ Size of core, central and coordinated areas should

be minimised, particular the size of coordinated area

Slide 11

Astronomy Advantage Areas - example

Slide 12

Telkom concerns – AGA specific issues• Potential conflicts between AGA and ECA

– Objectives (use of radio frequencies)– AGA prevail in cases of conflict– Rights given to Telkom nullified by AGA

‣Telkom also have obligations to deliver services

• New spectrum management powers– Minister may declare/designate any area– Minister may prescribe regulations to

managed spectrum (S.50)– Management authority – vested interest

‣ Independent body to managed spectrum (ICASA)

Slide 13

Telkom concerns – AGA specific issues (2)• Protection of astronomy observations (S.22)

– Prohibit or restrict frequency use in core and central areas

– Conversion of analogue to digital transmissions– Migration or using alternative technologies

‣ Compensation will be required to implement‣ Implementation not always practical or possible,

expensive to implement• Declared activities in core and central areas to cease (S. 23)

– Existing and new systems‣ Compensation to replace existing systems‣ Restrictions in service delivery

• Minister may prescribe standards throughout the Republic to control and minimise interference (S.37)

‣ Potential major operational implications for Telkom – should be limited to astronomy areas

Slide 14

Telkom concerns – coordinated area

• Identification of activities in coordinated area (S.24)– Construction, expansion or operations of “fixed radio

frequency interference source”– Other activities capable of causing radio frequency

interference– Review existing identified activities (S.27)

• Authorisation to undertake identified activity (S.25)– Minister may prescribe standards and or conditions to

undertake identified activities– Request for permission to undertake identified activities:

‣ Authority has 60 + 60 days to response to notification‣ May refuse or grant application‣ Request an impact assessment report

Person to be approved by authority, at own expense• Coordination area should remain under ICASA management• Size of coordination area should be limited• Time frames should be shortened (e.g. 30 days)

Slide 15

Conclusions

• This Act, when acceded to and implemented as is, has the potential to create a win-lose situation in astronomy areas:– win for radio astronomy and science and – lose for the communications public

• Ample opportunity for consultation in draft Bill, however, Minister of Science and Technology will have almost unrestricted power to decide on all radio and spectrum matters within the three areas and beyond

• Whereas core and central area interference may be manageable at a cost, Telkom is very concerned about the restrictions within the coordinated area

How to create a win-win situation for all?

Slide 16

THANK YOU