ANACOM has stated that use of wireless access/Radio Local Area Networks (WAS/ RLANs) systems in the 5 GHz band (5150-5350 MHz and 5470-5725 MHz) are required to comply with the following conditions governing use of frequencies and equipment:
1. Frequencies where WAS/RLANs may be used with exemption from radio licensing:
- 5150-5350 MHz and 5470-5725 MHz bands
Assigned to radiodetermination systems, other SRD (radiodetermination applications) and weather radar. Any deviation from the technical requisites of WAS/RLAN will cause interference in these systems, some of which are used to support essential services and are critical to citizen protection and safety. As such, these operations are in breach of the law and will give rise to breach proceedings.
2. Technical constraints governing the use of WAS/RLAN equipment:
- Band 5150-5350 MHz
- maximum admissible average equivalent isotropic radiated power (e.i.r.p.)1 is 200 mW;
- maximum average e.i.r.p. power density is limited to 10 mW/MHz per 1 MHz;
- Systems operating in 5250-5350 MHz band are required to employ transmit power control (TPC), Where TPC is not used, maximum admissible average e.i.r.p. and corresponding maximum average e.i.r.p. density is to be reduced by 3 dB;
- systems operating in 5250-5350 MHz band shall use mitigation techniques which provide the same level of protection as under the operational requirements and requirements of detection and response which are described in EN 301 893 (in particular the DFS - Dynamic Frequency Selection);
- equipment may be used indoors only (use is made, on a permanent basis, indoors, inside residential or business premises which will typically provide the attenuation necessary to facilitate spectrum sharing with other radio services);
- equipment may have integrated antenna (antenna which are permanently fixed and designed as an indispensable part of the equipment) or dedicated antenna only (detachable antenna and always with reference to maximum established e.i.r.p. limit, as indicated by the manufacturer);
- external antennas (antenna not designed specifically for a particular type of equipment) are prohibited;
- equipment must be in accordance with harmonized standard ETSI EN 301 893, pursuant to the provisions of the R&TTE Directive.
- 5470-5725 MHz Band
- maximum admissible average e.i.r.p. is 1 W;
- maximum average e.i.r.p. power density is limited to 50 mW/MHz, per 1 MHz;
- systems operating in the 5470-5725 MHz band must employ transmit power control (TPC); where TPC is not used, maximum admissible average e.i.r.p. power and corresponding maximum average e.i.r.p. power density is to be reduced by 3 dB;
- systems operating in the 5470-5725 MHz bands shall use mitigation techniques that provide the same level of protection as under the operational requirements and requirements of detection and response as described in EN 301 893 (DFS - Dynamic Frequency Selection);
- equipment can be used either indoors or in outdoor spaces;
- equipment may have integrated antenna (permanently fixed antenna designed as an indispensable part of the equipment) or dedicated antenna only (detachable antenna and always with reference to maximum established e.i.r.p. limit, as indicated by the manufacturer);
- external antennas (antenna not designed specifically for a particular type of equipment) are prohibited;
- equipment must be in accordance with harmonized standard ETSI EN 301 893, pursuant to the provisions of the R&TTE Directive.
ANACOM emphasises that, pursuant to Decree-Law no. 192/2000 of 18 August, devices which are compliant with the essential requirements referred to in article 4 may be put into service for their intended purpose, subsequent to a conformity assessment procedure and provided they are covered by the respective statement of conformity and are properly marked in accordance with this law.
As part of its responsibilities with regard to spectrum management, which include the planning and management and control of the spectrum with a view to its effective and efficient use, ANACOM publishes the QNAF - Quadro Nacional de Atribuição de Frequências (National Frequency Allocation Plan). The QNAF includes, inter alia, information regarding the uses of radio applications which are exempt from licensing (Annex 4). These applications are regulated at European Union (EU) level under Decision 2011/829/EU, which harmonises the operational conditions of short-range devices, as are essential to the fulfilment of the R&TTE Directive, transposed in Portugal by Decree-Law no. 192/2000.
These applications are subject to technical constraints as were defined in order to prevent interference with systems or services operating on the same frequency bands, thereby enabling compliance with the essential requirements of the R&TTE Directive.
1 Average e.i.r.p. refers to e.i.r.p. during burst transmission corresponding to the highest level of power, if power control is implemented.
Further information:
- European Telecommunications Standards Institute http://www.etsi.org/index.php
Related information on ANACOM's website:
- R&TTE regime https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=36141
