Spectrum Pooling

Spectrum pooling is a?spectrum management strategy in which multiple radio spectrum users can coexist within a single allocation of radio spectrum space. One use of this technique is for primary users of a spectrum allocation to be able to rent out use of unused parts of their allocation to secondary users.

Spectrum Pooling is a spectrum sharing technique in a congested network. It is used to maximize the channel capacity, improve spectral efficiency. It fulfills the demand for bandwidth. It arranges the available spectrum into a spectrum pool so that it can be used by another user. With the increment in the use of spectrum, networks are getting insecure. So this technology allows multiple users to get benefits of the unutilized spectrum. The concept of spectrum pooling is being utilized in Cognitive Radio (CR) and Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA). DSA/CR can support sensing of RF “white space” and bonding of multiple narrowband frequency channels to support wider-band channels for broadband.

There are several advantages of Spectrum Pooling.

?Firstly, the spectrum sharing will help operators address issues pertaining to spectrum shortage, network coverage and quality of service.

?Secondly,?it is advantageous?while sharing between a large operator (high revenue market share [RMS] and coverage with a congested network and a small operator (low RMS) with under-utilised network/ limited coverage. While the large operator will be able to address capacity and congestion issues, the small operator will benefit from the better network coverage of the large operator. For instance, if two small operators (low RMS) with limited coverage get into a spectrum sharing agreement, it will lead to better population coverage at a significantly lower capex and opex.?In addition, by pooling spectrum, operators will be able to achieve higher spectral efficiency and higher network capacity as compared to non-pooled spectrum. Spectrum sharing may also help some operators launch new technologies such as 4G services.