optical wireless communications as a new comfort for
TRANSCRIPT
René Vroom
Head of Innovation
Agentschap Telecom (Radio Communications Agency of the Netherlands) 1
Optical wireless communications as a new comfort for telecom?A regulators perspective
LiFiconference, 2nd edition
June 24, 2021
1. Agentschap Telecom
2. Digitalization and developments telecom
3. Optical wireless, new spectrum new technology
4. Conclusive reflections
Content
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Agentschap Telecom
“for a safely connected Netherlands ”
› Agentschap Telecom, regulator and authority on the digital infrastructure in the Netherlands.
› Part of Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate
› Mission: to improve trust in IT and communication networks, devices and electronic applications
› 380 employees, in 4 areas
NL & digital connectivity
› Digital connectivity: from ‘nice to have’ to ‘must have’.
› Connectivity leads to future economic growth andsocial welfare.
› Leverage effect: enables large innovations in othersectors
› NL in top league Europe.
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The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), dec 2020
› Increase in communication data transmission ongoing
› 5G rollout ongoing. Beyond 5G & 6G upcoming
› Radio spectrum occupied, solutions are looked for
› Societal impact telecom more important
› Europe Digital Strategy
Strategic developments
Source: [1]
Study OWC:
2 basic options, both possible
› LiFi Visual Light Communication
› Beamsteered IR Light communication BS-IRL
› (plus: FSO in space: Optical Wireless Satellite Network)
Conclusions
› OWC maturing and may help relieve spectrum scarcity
› LiFi and BS-IRL
– potential for indoor short range digital connectivity.
– might become complementary and/or alternative to RF e.g. Wifi.
*Study on OWC Agentschap Telecom, together with Stratix & Eindhoven Technical University (2018)
Eng version: https://www.agentschaptelecom.nl/onderwerpen/onderzoek-en-ontwikkelingen/documenten/rapporten/2018/02/07/onderzoek-lifi
Optical Wireless Communications (OWC)
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Source: [3]RF spectrum vs OWC ‘unused’ , simplified
Source: [2]
Study on OWC; Agentschap Telecom together with Stratix & Eindhoven Technical University (2018)
Eng version: https://www.agentschaptelecom.nl/onderwerpen/onderzoek-en-ontwikkelingen/documenten/rapporten/2018/02/07/onderzoek-lifi 7
Overview of issues
h
OWC modelling stakeholders
soo
Source: [4]
OWC regulations
* Only when OWC device includes RF module, e.g. for on/off , location, or any other reason
E.g.
› Spectrum > 3000 GHz (i.e. expected to be non-regulated, and/or license exempt)
› Radio Equipment Directive* 2014/53/EU: Essential requirements
• EMF (protection health, ICNIRP)
• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
• Efficient use of frequencies, avoid harmful interference
• ….
› EMC Directive 2014/30/EU
› General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC andNEN-EN-IEC 62031
› Eye safety (e.g. IEC 60825-12:2019, IEC 62471, Recommendation ITU-T G.996 Amd. 1,)
› Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU
› ..
Triple Helix model
NL positively engaged in development OWC
› Triple Helix model of cooperation (Universities + Companies + Government)
› NL has a wide ecosystem and culture on fieldlabs
› Sandbox, test licenses on spectrum
› Photonics & Light Technology: National key technology (HTSM)
› Government invested in photonics (e.g. in Photondelta , Smart Photonics, the Free consortium)
› Agentschap Telecom: international workshop (2017), study on OWC (2018),
› ITU R-report (2018) , started ITU-R Recommendation (in conj. with ITU-T and IEEE) (2019)
› Member EU NEWFOCUS / network on future generation optical wireless communication technologies (2020)
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Conclusive reflections on OWC
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› To benefit from the full potential of OWC a high-speed access network is required
› In-building fixed (wired) backhaul: an essential link in an OWC solution.
› OWC relatively safe, but there are some points of attention.
› Focus on (further) interoperability and compatibility among industrial products within OWC community, and also compatibility with already deployed communication technologies.
› Whether and when OWC will be successful also depends on economies of scale.
Public interest
› Safety & Health
› Non-disturbance, non-interference
› (Cyber)security
› Energy
› Interoperability & standardization.
“ We can’t innovate frequencies. But we can innovate the way we use them !”
Thank you for your attention
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Voor een veilig verbonden Nederland
For a safely connected Netherlandswww.agentschaptelecom.nl
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[1] Retailvolume Mobiel Telecom monitor ACM Q4’20, [2-4] see https://www.agentschaptelecom.nl/onderwerpen/onderzoek-en-
ontwikkelingen/documenten/rapporten/2018/02/07/onderzoek-lifi