[01] Yas A. Alsultanny, Technology and Management Innovation Department, College of Graduate Studies, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain. [02] Latifa M. ALthawadi, Technology and Management Innovation Department, College of Graduate Studies, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain.

Spectrum occupancy is the most important communications issue which takes a great deal of attention from communication researchers. In this paper a wide spectrum occupancy measurement campaign is conducted to study the occupancy of Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum by three stations at different locations in Bahrain. The measurements are performed in the frequency bands (700-1300) MHz over 10 consecutive days. The results of measurement showed that the spectrum occupancy was almost the same in the three locations. In addition to this, the general usage of frequency regardless the location is considered low except for the frequency band (942–960) MHz slot is classified as rank 1 with frequency occupancy percentage 100%, followed by frequency band (890-942) MHz, which is classified as rank 2, with frequency occupancy 65.36%, these two bands used for the mobile telecommunication provided by the commercial Global System Mobile (GSM) operators, there are 6 bands with occupancy less than 15%. These sub-bands should be reconsidered for more efficient utilization. The Cognitive Radio Spectrum is needed that enables cognitive radio systems to intelligently utilize the spectrum.

Spectrum Occupancy, Mobile Telecommunication, Spectrum Utilization, Cognitive Radio

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