UK Spectrum Management Strategy: tomorrow’s challenges today

Chris WoolfordDirector, International Spectrum PolicyRadcomms 2014

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We aim to manage spectrum in a way that maximises the benefits to UK citizens and consumers

Our aims

• Furthering the interests of citizens and consumers, where appropriate by promoting competition

• including ensuring:– optimal use of spectrum– availability throughout the UK of a

wide range of communications service and TV and radio services

• ...whilst having regard to the different needs and interests of all spectrum users

Many uses/users of spectrum

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A balanced approach to spectrum management

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Rely on the market to deliver efficient

use where possible and effective

Key tools include

Take regulatory action where

necessary

Key instances include

Auctions

Trading

Liberalisation

Pricing

International harmonisation and coordination

Coexistence issues and coordination challenges

Promoting competition

Delivering other duties and the citizen interest

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Current approaches to managing interference deliver complementary benefits

Key characteristics Advantages Disadvantages

Licensed(E.g. mobile broadband)

Centrally coordinated approach where use of spectrum is licensed to a particular user

• Licensed spectrum enables wide area coverage with good service quality

• Surety of access secures investment in critical national infrastructure

• Restricting use can act as an inhibitor to innovation

• Substantial costs and administrative overheads

Licence exempt (E.g. Wi-Fi)

No licence required to access spectrum, which is effectively free

• Reduced barriers to entry provide a platform for innovation

• Limited restrictions on the kinds of technologies that can be used

• Susceptible to ‘tragedy of the commons’ due to interference

• No central coordination, limiting use to short rage, low power applications

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Operator coordinates frequencies to avoid interference

Uncoordinated deployment of equipment can lead to interference between networks

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Tomorrow’s challenges

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• Continued growth in demand for spectrum from all uses

• Expansion in low power, localised uses (M2M etc.)

• Fewer obvious opportunities for spectrum release

• Recycling of spectrum from lower to higher value uses

• Greater intensity and more dynamic use of spectrum

• Increasing importance of higher frequency spectrum

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More spectrum is not only answer, e.g. mobile operators can make more efficient use of existing spectrum

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Totalmobile network

capacity= x

More Spectrum‘More MHz’

More efficient technology‘More bits per MHz’

More sites ‘Smaller number of

users share the capacity of each site’

x

Offloading Reduces data carried

on mobile network core

Source: Real Wireless

And making more spectrum available can take many years of preparation…so need to plan a long way ahead

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Increased focus on sharing

Managing coexistence

Receiver standards Spectrum information

International engagement to influence international outcomes

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Ofcom’s priority areas

Mobile data demand700MHz band and future of

free to view TVPublic Sector Spectrum

Release

PMSE (wireless cameras and mics)

M2M/IoT Emergency services

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Work Programme

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Priority area Issues that Ofcom is already consideringIssues that are likely to become relevant over the next 3-

5 yearsIssues potentially relevant over the longer term

Mobile demands and mobile coverage

• Preparations for WRC-15 (esp AI 1.1) and other ongoing international engagement

• Developing a long term perspective on demand and supply options

• Assessing the potential role of licence-exempt and sharing approaches and implications for the supply balance

• Monitoring progress in mobile coverage and networks’ performance

• Considering harmonisation opportunities opened by international decisions

• Developing and implementing a consistent approach to assessing and enabling use of additional spectrum for mobile and wireless data

• Exploring options for the further extension of geographical coverage of mobile voice and data services

• 5G technology evolution: consideration of new equipment standards and potential impact on spectrum demand

700 MHz strategy implementation and DTT’s long term future

• International engagement on 700 MHz harmonisation and coordination discussions

• Initial CBA on 700 MHz re-purposing and associated changes

• Explore opportunities to reduce and avoid future disruption

• Engage with industry on role of DTT and free-to-view TV post 700 MHz re-purposing

• Participating in international discussions on the longer term future of spectrum at 470-694 MHz

• Final decision on 700 MHz repurposing

• 700 MHz award design

• Understand and begin implementation of regulatory steps required to enable transition

• Consider issues around costs of transition

• Monitor developments in TV distribution technologies and implications for the long term role of DTT

• Enabling action and regulatory support to 700 MHz clearance and award

Supporting the PSSR programme

• Undertaking the auction of the spectrum vacated by MoD at 2.3 and 3.4 GHz

• Supporting Government in future releases, particularly sharing opportunities

• Supporting Government’s consideration of mechanisms to secure efficient use of spectrum by public bodies

• Leveraging our experience on spectrum sharing into Public Sector spectrum

• Moving towards unified information systems on spectrum usage and frequencies available for shared access across civil and crown holdings

Future of PMSE spectrum access

• Understanding current and future PMSE demand and the feasibility of different supply options

• Considering the future role of new PMSE equipment technologies

• International engagement on initiatives over PMSE harmonisation in Europe

• Reviewing our approach to PMSE spectrum management

• Assessing the impact of planned spectrum changes on PMSE and implementing mitigating actions

• Considering the potential relevance of cognitive technologies to PMSE applications

Enabling growth and innovation in M2M and IoT applications

• Improving our understanding of how M2M and IoTconnectivity requirements vary across applications and sectors

• Enabling access by LE SRDs to the 870-915 MHz band and considering the case for light licensing regime for devices requiring higher transmission powers and duty cycles

• Progressing our work on TVWS

• Understanding the implications of the potential growth of horizontal platforms and the Internet of Things on connectivity requirements

• Prospects for DSA techniques enabling self-managed access to spectrum for M2M devices requiring quality-of-service assurance

SupportingGovernment in considering future ES communications needs

• Understanding the extent of Ofcom advice required by Government

• Representing UK interests in International spectrum PPDR spectrum harmonisation negotiations

• Providing advice as requested by Government on potential availability of spectrum and costs

• Providing support to Government, if required, on the planning and implementation of any required transition between spectrum bands

• Ongoing advisory role to Government in Emergency Services use of spectrum through PSSPG and UKSSC

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We already have four wireless data initiatives on the go

Proposed release of the 700 MHz band

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Pilot of TV white spaces

Award of 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz bands

870 MHz / 915 MHz licence exemption (suitable for M2M)

Current priorities

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Developments in Europe

• Continued increased interest from European institutions in spectrum matters– For example discussions on spectrum form key part of draft Connected Continent

Regulation

• Wireless broadband remains at the heart of European interests– 700 MHz is highest profile…. but other bands also of interest (1452-1492 MHz, 2.3

GHz, 3.4 – 3.6 GHz)

• And increasing interest in a range of other spectrum related issues– Future use of the UHF band– Short Range Devices, RFID, Internet of Things– PMSE, PPDR, scientific and transport applications etc. etc.

• European Commission can be expected to continue to push for stronger co-ordination of spectrum interests across Europe

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Thank you!