Rule 19: ICT shall comply with spectrum management requirements
Updated 16 October 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/joint-service-publication-jsp-604-network-rules/rule-19-ict-shall-comply-with-spectrum-management-requirements
The rules are under review and subject to change.
Rule requirement
- Spectrum
1.1 ICT shall have Defence Electromagnetic Authority (DEMA) EM Management (DEMA EMM) approval for any system that utilises electromagnetic transmissions. Projects shall provide evidence to the Network Authorities that they have sought and complied with guidance from the DEMA EMM regarding all future spectrum requirements, that they have registered the technical details of their SDE, and that they have requested specific operating frequencies through the DEMA EMM for both development trials and live operational use (including live exercise use).
Note: Projects will also need to present this evidence to the Investment Approval Authorities. This is not included in the Rule requirement as it is outside of the assurance scope of this document.
Rule rationale
DEMA EMM is responsible for allocating radio frequencies (RF) for ops, trial and exercise use in the UK by any UK or visiting nation’s military equipment that can transmit or receive RF energy (otherwise known as Spectrum Dependent Systems, or SDS). The DEMA EMM also helps to negotiate with host nation spectrum authorities frequencies for use overseas by UK Force Elements (including visiting RN ships). This frequency management discipline is required in order to avoid:
interference between different UK military equipments (e.g. voice communications and UAV downlinks) interference between UK military equipments and civil or commercial equipments (e.g. Force Protection and mobile phone providers) congestion of the RF spectrum.
Note: Defence Projects must engage with the DEMA EMM as early as practicable in order to register the development of potential spectrum-dependent equipment, and to seek guidance regarding the intended spectrum use.
Who to contact
Email UKStratComDD-OPS-DEMA-Taskings@mod.gov.uk
Process
Strategic business case
Projects shall have engaged with the DEMA Cap Dev EMM and sought advice regarding the likely suitability and availability of their perceived future Spectrum Requirements.
Online business case
Projects shall have engaged with the DEMA Cap Dev EMM and obtained necessary approval to continue with the development of spectrum-dependent projects.
Full business case
Projects shall engage with the DEMA Cap Dev EMM and and obtained necessary approval to continue with the development of spectrum-dependent projects.
Preliminary design review
Projects shall engage with the DEMA Cap Dev EMM and provide final details of equipment radio-frequency characteristics (bandwidth, centre frequency, modulation, EIRP etc) when required. This spectrum clearance information must be followed up by individual requests for operating, exercise or trial frequency assignments to cover each actual use of the equipment (including development trials).
Critical design review
Projects shall engage with the DEMA Cap Dev EMM and provide final details of equipment radio-frequency characteristics (bandwidth, centre frequency, modulation, EIRP etc) when required. This spectrum clearance information must be followed up by individual requests for operating, exercise or trial frequency assignments to cover each actual use of the equipment (including development trials).
Technical release readiness assessment
Projects shall engage with the DEMA Cap Dev EMM and provide final details of equipment radio-frequency characteristics (bandwidth, centre frequency, modulation, EIRP etc) when required. This spectrum clearance information must be followed up by individual requests for operating, exercise or trial frequency assignments to cover each actual use of the equipment (including development trials).