5GHz band and the UK

I am trying to set up a test link in my office using an RB512 as a 5GHz access point. All is fine when I use frequencies from the Band B range. However, Band B is not legal in the UK for wisps, only Band C (5735 to 5835). Setting the UK as the regulatory domain only shows Band B channels, which in my view is a bit silly as they are not legal for wisp use (which must form the major part of MT’s intended market I would have thought). If I select a different (or default) regulatory domain I do get some channels in the Band C, but not those that are legal for use in the UK (they seem to be shifted by 10MHz). Why is there not a regulatory setting we can choose for UK FWA Band C, as dictated by Ofcom’s IR2007 http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/tech/interface_req/uk_interface_2007.pdf

This is a pain for me (and I’m sure other wisps) as it means we cannot use MT kit in our networks except in the 2.4GHz band.

Peter

wasn’t too much of a pain for me.
Provided Mikrotik with a letter and a copy of my OFCOM license to operate and problem sorted.

Ian

Now, when you say “problem sorted” what do you mean? Do they then give you another UK domain to select with the correct channels available on it?

AFAIK, the regulatory domain info reported in Mikrotik is that for internal wireless LAN kit - the 5.3GHz spectrum in the UK.
For outdoor use, it should be telling us the opposite: use 5.8, not 5.3

Superchannel mode gives you a choice of any frequency the radio can tune to. That is the “workaround”, but not a “solution” to the fact the regulatory domain feature thinks it’s an indoor access point.

Given there are people using MT as indoor access points (such as me, writing to the forum just now over one) as well as outdoor, probably there should be 2 “frequency lists” for countries where there is a difference.
Is the UK the only example where the regulator split the band like this (indoor:outdoor) ?

Regards

I agree. That is how Proxim do it with their Tsunami units

… over to the lads at Mikrotik:
Suggestions, please?

[side point, since the demise of Proxim (assets bought by Terabeam) what’s the supply of their radios like? ]

Regards

Superchannels is required.

UK 5.8 Band C also has geographic restrictions - no easy way Mikrotik can determine if you are allowed to use all of Band C.

Have Superchannel (exra frequencies) and manually setup what you are allowed to use.

Ian >>

As far as I know there are no geographic restrictions any more. Even if there were, we could easily mask those out if need be. Having to sort out a special licence upgrade for every unit we deploy is silly.

Other suppliers of 5.8 kit don’t seem to have a problem giving a special domain, so I really don’t see why MT can’t.

mikrotik router has the regulatory-domain feature, which allows you to set the country you live in, and then you will get the according frequencies. we use the list from ETSI regulations, so the list is correct.

sometimes a country has it’s own additional laws that permit other frequencies, in your case it is OfCom. contact support to solve a case like this.

we can not permanently modify the list, as it is correct according to ETSI, plus we have no idea what special conditions there are in each country of the world. write to support@mikrotik.com if you have any questions

“contact support to solve a case like this”

I did. One month ago - no response. Unless, of course, you count the autmaton one asking for the supout file.

“we can not permanently modify the list, as it is correct according to ETSI, plus we have no idea what special conditions there are in each country of the world”

So how come other suppliers (from the EU and from outside the EU) don’t have a problem with this? You can hardly claim to “have no idea” when your customers themselves are telling you about the conditions here in the UK.

Expecting customers to have to ask for specific permission for every individual licence we buy or unit we deploy is, in my mind, akin to Mikrotik saying “we do not support and have no wish to support the 5.8GHz market in the UK”.

Given that all the wisps I know of are actively looking to move towards 5.8GHz, I find this bizzare to say the least.

Remember, we are not asking for anything difficult here. All you have to do is check the UK regulations (30 minutes at most) and then create a new “regulatory domain” such as “UK FWA” with the allowed frequencies in it (10 minutes at most). Your current UK customers are providing you with all the information you need, all you need to do is check it out which is hardly an onerous task.

that is not true, we had email communication and we wrote you what you must do. I never received another email from you.

our list is the list of ETSI, we will not change it. I don’t know if an alternative list will be made for UK but for now you have to follow instructions that were sent to you by technical support. the solution if free and easy, i don’t understand your problem. please contact support if you have further questions.

I have re-sent you the email, please check