Telecommunication Act – 2001
(Act 2001-36)
FORM 4
APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR TELECOMMUNICTIONS
SPECIAL SPECTRUM LICENCE
(Section 46 of the Telecommunications Act 2001-36)
1. Introduction
1.1 This guide provides information on the available frequencies, operating conditions and fees payable for the special use of frequencies. This usage is typically necessitated by such purposes as exhibitions, demonstration and testing of equipment, or occasional broadcasts. The Ministry shall decide at its discretion, the circumstances in which the special use of frequencies will be permitted.
2. Demonstration of Equipment by Dealers
2.1 Dealers holding valid Telecommunications Sellers and Dealer’s Licences may apply to the Ministry for the special use of frequencies for occasional needs such as the demonstration of equipment to potential customers at their business premises.
3. Equipment Type Approval
3.1 Unless otherwise specified by the Ministry, all equipment operated by a licensed seller and dealer for demonstration purposes must be type-approved by the Ministry.
3.2 Equipment intended for temporary use, for example, by an exhibitor or an equipment manufacturer or supplier who takes part in an exhibition, may be exempted from approval. However, equipment that has earlier failed the Ministry’s approval or acceptance test may not be operated unless the applicant satisfies the Ministry that its operation will not cause harmful interferences to the operation of other radiocommunication networks and equipment.
4. Duration of Use
4.1 The duration of temporary use typically ranges from a few hours to a few days; up to a maximum period of 10 days and is not renewable.
5. Where to Apply
5.1 Applications must be submitted at least 3 weeks before the scheduled demonstration to:
The Chief Telecommunications Officer
Telecommunications Unit
Ministry responsible for Telecommunications
Barbados
6. Information Required
6.1 The following information is required and must be attached to the application:
(a) a brief description of the equipment and its functions;
(b) a copy of the equipment’s technical specifications which shall include the frequency range, the desired frequency, the necessary bandwidth, emission characteristics, antenna gain, bandwidths and effective radiated power;
(c) alternative frequencies or frequency ranges, if the desired frequencies or frequency ranges are not available;
(d) for VSAT or earth station, the station location is Barbados and documentary evidence of permission to access the satellite system including the name and location of satellite;
(e) approval from the Government Information Service must first be obtained for all transient satellite news gathering;
(f) location and period of demonstration; and
(g) name and telephone number of the person to contact in case of radio interference.
7. Frequencies for Special Use
7.1 The following frequencies are assigned for special use:
|
|
Frequency
|
Bandwidth
|
|
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
|
25.273 kHz
83.250/87.750 MHz
141.775 MHz
161.450 MHz
821 MHz
1 530 – 1 544 MHz
|
16 kHz
16 kHz
16 kHz
16 kHz
± 2 MHz
Satellite Receive Band
|
The above list may be modified as a result of international or national frequency allocations.
7.2 Frequencies not listed may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
8. Conditions of Operation
8.1 Frequencies approved for special use will be subject to the following conditions of operation:
- all frequencies for use are operated on a shared-basis;
- usage of frequencies shall not cause interference to other Radio communication networks duly authorise by the Ministry;
- the usage is confined to the location indicated by the applicant and transmission is allowed only during the approved period;
- the RF output power and the height of external antenna’s would normally be not more than 0.5 W erp and 10 m above ground respectively. The Ministry may consider higher power or antenna height where adequate justification is provided by the applicant.
9. Fees and Charges
9.1 A fee of $50 is payable for a frequency selected from frequencies listed in paragraph 7.1.
9.2 Where a frequency that is not from the pool of frequencies in paragraph 7.1 is approved for use, the fee payable shall be as follows:
|
Bandwidth (x)
|
Fee
10 days or less
|
|
x < 25 kHz
|
$100
|
|
25 KHz < x < 500 kHz
|
$150
|
|
500 kHz < x < 1 MHz
|
$400
|
|
1 MHz < x < 20 MHz
|
$800
|
|
x > 20 MHz
|
$1300
|
9.3 Unless otherwise determined by the Ministry, a fee of $100 is payable for a frequency mentioned in paragraph 9.2, if the period of usage is less than a day or the cumulative hours of operation are less than 24 hours.
9.4 Unless otherwise determined by the Ministry, the station licence fee of the Radiocommunication equipment is waived.
10. Exportation of Equipment
10.1 Any non-type approved equipment shall be exported out of Barbados immediately after operation, and documentary proof of export must be submitted to the Ministry.