CRA achieves outstanding success in monitoring radio spectrum during the World Cup

Doha, December 17, 2022: The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has achieved outstanding success in devoting all its resources to ensure that, throughout the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, all stakeholders operate various radiocommunications applications, equipment and broadcasting systems as required and without interruption due to any radio interference.

During large-scale events, like the World Cup, a wide range of radio applications and a significant number of radio equipment are used within a limited area, making it challenging to meet all radio spectrum requirements and ensure continuity of communication without radio interference.

CRA has been eager over the previous years to develop its radio spectrum monitoring system, in line with the significance of hosting this historic event in the country. In order to achieve this, it has enhanced and upgraded several fixed and mobile monitoring stations and added sensor stations in several areas close to the official tournament venues. In addition, three months before the tournament kicked off, CRA conducted proactive field scan measurements, that required nearly 6,500 working hours, for monitoring all critical radio frequency bands to make sure they are radio interference free and to find suitable alternative for those affected, prior to the start of the tournament.

To monitor the radio spectrum during the tournament, CRA relied on state-of-the-art systems and technologies, employing a system that can monitor the radio spectrum up to 40 Gigahertz (GHz) and efficiently locate the source of the interference. Additionally, CRA used its supporting system to monitor the unauthorized usage of drones. Furthermore, CRA’s technically specialized teams were available during all matches, with state-of-the-art Spectrum Analyzers and Automatic Direction-finding Receivers, to help in validating the source of radio interference, if it occurs.

Throughout the tournament, CRA did not record any radio interference cases on the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) operations, while a limited number of secondary cases were recorded on other services beyond the scope of FIFA's operational activities. CRA swiftly took the necessary corrective measures in this regard.