PCS and microwave systems: Can they coexist?

The current and future spectrum requirements for personal communications services (PCS) together with implementation issues in the 900 MHz and 2 GHz bands are discussed. As a result of long term spectrum planning in the '70s, PCS systems can not be introduced in the 900 MHz band with little difficulties in sharing with existing fixed systems. However, with the worldwide demand for sizable spectrum made by emerging technologies around 2 GHz which is heavily utilized by microwave systems in Canada, mutually satisfactory solutions have to be found to satisfy the requirements of both PCS and microwave radio-relay users in the 2 GHz bands. This paper, in addressing the current usage of the 2 GHz bands in Canada by low-to-medium capacity microwave systems, offers proposals to satisfy the short and long term service needs. Specific proposals have been made for reaccommodating existing 2 GHz microwave systems to meet their future growth requirements.