State Radio Frequency Commission (SCRF)

As SCRF works

For October, 2011 only 3-4% of a frequency range (though around the world this share makes 30-40%) are assigned to the civil companies in Russia, about 33% are reserved for military, and the rest is intended for sharing — such digits are given by the source close to State commission on radio frequencies (SCRF) at the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications.

The first problem which the operator faces: it is unknown, frequencies necessary for it are occupied or are free. In Germany, for example, it can be learned, having just visited the website of the local regulator — there even the approximate cost of the license is specified, the co-owner of one telecom operator tells. The representative of Roskomnadzor, however, told Vedomosti^[1]that such base and in Russia is already almost ready and some of its sections since October 15 will appear in free access.

But meanwhile the operator has only one method to understand whether it is possible to expect frequencies: he should submit the application to SCRF mentioned already.

If at once not to wrap it because of the wrong design (it happens), it is sent for approval to the Ministry of Defence, Federal Guard Service and Roskomnadzor. Security agencies can refuse without explanations, having just referred to privacy. At the same time it is possible that frequency is really occupied. But it is possible, as is not present.

Case is in that, explains the source close to SCRF that frequency is entered in the database of the Ministry of Defence as soon as the decision on the beginning of development of the equipment for which it is necessary is made.

It is possible even that military will make such decision after the appeal of operator. So, frequencies in a band of 2.5-2.7 GHz, for October, 2011 for the operators who are going to develop LTE military were not necessary to the most desired. Till 2006. The Ministry of Defence in the majority of regions did not object to use in this range of transmitters of analog television on MMDS technology, and they "shine" on all band of 2.5-2.7 GHz so no other equipment could is simple to work there, the co-owner of one operator explains. But then asked to select to it frequencies in this range Skartel (Yota brand) which decided to build on them Wimax network. Military agreed to give a half of range, and secured another.

Military can arrange the consent with a number of conditions. So, the frequency of 2.1 GHz for network of third generation in Moscow were issued to "the big three" only after intervention of the president Dmitry Medvedev and with serious restrictions: on height of location of base stations, on their power and the direction of antennas — they should not "shine" on the southwest not to create noises of the station of a satellite system of early detection of missile attack located near Serpukhov. And in a radius of 100 km around this station, i.e. practically at once behind southwest section of MKAD, prohibited to work in this range to operators in general.

Let's say security officers gave the green light. Answers come to the office of SCRF which appoints a conciliatory meeting of members of SCRF — on it the draft decision of the commission forms. If it positive, matter of the operator in a hat: at a meeting of SCRF of the solution to give frequency or to select frequency — and such can be to one hundred — any more are not discussed: are approved in a crowd.

There are also miracles. So, the question of deprivation of the Antares group of the businessman Evgeny Roytman of the frequencies of 1900-1920 MHz was submitted for a meeting of SCRF, passing a conciliatory meeting, and is solved in the automatic mode. Antares managed to strive for cancellation of the decision of SCRF in court, and it became a precedent. Before courts did not accept claims to SCRF at all, motivating it with the fact that the interdepartmental commission is not either legal entity, or authority. It was succeeded to change a situation only with entry into force in October, 2010 of amendments in the Arbitration procedural code.

Members of the commission

List of members of State Radio Frequency Commission

History

2019: Negotiations with law enforcement agencies on range extension of frequencies for a 5G

On July 26, 2019 it became known that at a meeting of State Radio Frequency Commission (SCRF) the deputy minister svyazioleg Ivanov told that "positive negotiations with the power block" concerning transfer of the frequencies of 4.4-4.8 GHz under a 5G are conducted. Read more here.

2008-2011

Earlier arbitration courts did not accept claims to SCRF – the interdepartmental commission. But fall of 2010 of the company of the entrepreneur Roytman – the Antares group – managed to dispute the decision of SCRF on a withdrawal of the frequencies of 1900-1920 MHz in two instances. In April, 2011 the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications and Roskomnadzor withdrew the writ of appeal and proceedings are stopped, it is told on the website of arbitration court.

On April 25, 2011 it became known that the Arbitration court of Moscow prohibited State commission to issue on radio frequencies (SCRF) frequencies in the range of 2.3-2.4 GHz before decision in the claim of Saturn, Modul and Stroyresurs companies. It is said in the determination of court posted on its^[2].

These three companies in February, 2008 submitted to SCRF applications for use of these frequencies in all territory of Russia for construction of WiMax-network, follows from determination of court. But SCRF did not begin to consider them. Now these three companies filed a lawsuit against the commission to oblige her it to make. Besides, each of the companies requires 300 million rubles compensation from SCRF. The preliminary meeting in the claim is appointed to May 11, 2011.

The address of Saturn specified on the website of court, Module and Stroyresurs matches the address of the companies of the Antares group belonging to the businessman Evgeny Roytman who specializes, in particular, in wireless communication. All three companies belong to Roytman, confirms a source, close to it.

Roytman's companies are afraid that the commission can issue these frequencies for permanent use to other applicants, "despite existence of earlier requests" therefore asked about interim measures, said in determination of court. The Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications does not know about interim measures, the representative says it.

Rostelecom — the only legal applicant for the frequency of 2.3-2.4 GHz, the representative Oleg Rumyantsev claims it.

See Also

Frequencies in the Russian communication

Notes