Update on GSM network at 26C3

[Harald Welte]

On Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 11:53:38PM +0300, Alexander Chemeris wrote:
> Hi Harald,
> 
> On Mon, Dec 14, 2009 at 19:39, Harald Welte <laforge at gnumonks.org> wrote:
> > as you will know, we have applied for an experimental GSM license for the
> > 26C3 (http://events.ccc.de/congress/2009/).
> >
> > Last week, the license was granted.  However, only two ARFCN's have been
> > granted (I applied for 8).  As it turns out, this was a communication problem.
> >
> > Today they have acknowledged a third ARFCN.  So we can have at least one
> > single-TRX BTS on each floor.  On wednesday they will determine whether
> > we can have more than three, or if we'll have to live with three ARFCN only.
> >
> > If we get 6, it will be one dual-TRX BTS for each floor.  If we get even more,
> > the surplus ones can be used for random experiments.
> 
> Does it means that we won't be able to do OpenBTS experiments there?
> We planned to test new USSD code in OpenBTS and it will be a shame to
> cancel this plans.

Dear Alexander,

I do not remember having seen any specific request from you applying for an
ARFCN for OpenBTS experiments.  Like in any country of the world, you need
a test license in Germany to operate equipment in the GSM band.  If you did and
I missed that, I apologize.

As you can see from my e-mail, we likely don't even have enough ARFCNs for
operating the actual GSM network at 26C3 - not to talk about runing any more
experimental stuff for doing actual development.

The priorities for me have been very clear:  First the actual GSM network, then
any experiments.

-- 
- Harald Welte <laforge at gnumonks.org>           http://laforge.gnumonks.org/
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