Spectrum Policies &

Emerging Technologies

March, 2010

Dr. Veena RawatPresident

Communications Research Centre Canada

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Overview

Introduction - CRC Economic and social benefits of radio spectrum

Spectrum policy issues Emerging technologies Summary

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Communications Research Centre Canada, Industry Canada

Established in 1969 Canadian government's primary

laboratory for research and development (R&D) in advanced telecommunications, and a center of excellence in information and communications technologies (ICT).

250 engineers and scientists Budget of over $50million

CRC Core Competencies

WIRELESSTECHNOLOGIES

RADIO FUNDAMENTALS

(propagation, antennas)

BROADBAND NETWORKS

BROADCASTING &

SATCOM

CYBER SECURITY /

PUBLIC SAFETY

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Radio spectrum and its management

Radio spectrum: Essential enabling component to all sectors of an economy and vital to

the social well being of a society The development and efficient use of radio spectrum helps to fuel

economic growth and innovation Spectrum Management:

Involves planning/policy frameworks – domestic and international A sound spectrum management program ensures maximum benefits to:

Individuals Businesses Governments Communities Public safety Other institutions

Efficient spectrum use is critical to economic growth and innovation

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Economic impact of telecommunication

Total global telecommunications revenues in 2007: US$1.2 trillion

It has been predicted that revenue from mobile services will surpass $1 trillion in 2013 (source: Informa Telecoms & Media)

Source: OECD Communications Outlook 2009 [www.oecd.org/sti/telecom/outlook]

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ICT penetration

The number of mobile subscriptions worldwide has reached 4.6 billion and is expected to exceed 5 billion in 2010. The ITU expects mobile broadband subscriptions worldwide to exceed 1 billion in 2010 (by the end of 2009, there were 600 million such subscription) (Source: ITU)

Global mobile data traffic surpassed 1.3 Exabytes transferred during 2008. By 2014, an average of 1.6 Exabytes will be sent and received monthly. (Source: ABI Research)

Source: ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database. http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/ict/index.html

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Spectrum policy issues

Access to spectrum Licensing model Broadcasting vs other uses (mobile) Non-commercial uses

Public safety

Increased availability of broadband services Access to infrastructure

Antenna towers

Evolution to new technologies Digital television transition Open access/net neutrality

Spectrum management programs are under constant pressure to meet the demands of rapidly changing wireless environment

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Access to spectrum - licensing models

Licensing models: Licensed:

first come first served comparative competitive

Licence-exempt (unlicensed) Lightly licensed

Competitive licensing/Auctions What spectrum is subject to auction? Commercial use only? Rights and obligations Secondary trading Licence duration Others

Licence-exempt (unlicensed) Increased interest for commercial applications How to ensure protection? Reduction in revenues to government

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Access to spectrum - broadband to all

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Source: OECD

DSL Cable Fibre/LAN Other

OECD Broadband subscribers per 100 inhabitants, by technology, June 2009

OECD

How do we maximize economic and social benefits to all regardless of geography, economic status, gender, age and culture?

Canadian initiative: part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, $225 million over three years to extend broadband coverage to unserved and underserved areas.

The road to success: Encouragement of public/private partnerships Investment in sustainable business models Favourable regulatory framework

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Access to spectrum

Exploding demand for mobile services Suitable spectrum to support mobility, capacity and cost effective services

Incumbent investment and pressures For rural broadband, good coverage, cost effective and for backhaul

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Access to spectrum – public safety

Spectrum demand for new applications (e.g. video, Internet access)

Interoperability Shared networks (commercial/public) Role of government at different levels

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Access to infrastructure - Antenna towers

Real estate cost and availability Aesthetics Radiation issues Approval procedures

In Canada: mandated antenna tower and site sharing as well as an obligation to facilitate roaming

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Evolution to new technologies - digital TV transition

In the broadcasting band, advances in technology are enabling more efficient use of the radio spectrum, thus freeing up spectrum for other uses

Challenges faced by broadcasters, especially during a time of economic hardship

Timing for switch over, all or in major centres first? Cross border issues Consumer issues/set top boxes Alternative uses of freed spectrum by broadcasters

and others?

Learn from those already switched, CITEL and ITU guidelines available.

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Distribution techniques

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Now: Over-the-air, satellite, cable Future: Emerging delivery technologies Improvement to ATSC DTV Transmission

IPTV Internet TV Mobile TV Wi-Fi/WiMAX

How will video delivery shift from traditional to new distribution techniques in the next 5 years?

Many business, technology and regulatory issues continue to be addressed

Balance between commercial and public requirements What will be the impact of this shift on the New Media and

Entertainment business? Will broadcasters use transition to digital to add new

services (e.g mobile TV)?

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New Video Distribution Techniques

ViewersProduction Distribution Placeshifting

Distribution Rights

Cable TVIPTV

Broadcasttransmitters

Satellite

Wi-FiInternetCellular

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New Applications for Broadcasting Technologies

Intelligent Transportation Systems Digital Public Alerting Datacasting (e.g. Tagging) Non-real time data Energy management

Broadcasting and telecommunications platforms

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Consumer

Content Providers

TSPs

ILECs/CLECs

CableBDUs

Over the air

Satellite

Technology/ IP Driven

Wireless

Resellers

Broadband

Convergence

Content

Wholesale

Wholesale Services

Wholesale

Telephony/Internet

Internet/BDU

Telco Wholesale

Traditional Telephone ServiceTelephony

Video/RadioTelephonyInternet

WebSites

Internet

Traditional BDU Services Video/Radio

Traditional

Broadcasting

Converging

platform

sTraditional

Telecommunications

Supplier Platforms Customer

Source: CRTC, Communications Report 2009

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Open access and net neutrality

Should restrictions be imposed on content, sites, platforms, technology, equipment, protocol, etc on networks?

Some arguments for net neutrality: Net neutrality ensures equal access to the Internet Net neutrality prevents data discrimination (favouring of certain

types of traffic/applications/content) which would contribute to an anti-competitive environment

Some arguments against net neutrality: Data discrimination ensures quality of service Neutrality creates threats to network integrity and security Commonality = efficiency, neutrality does not necessarily

promote commonality

Policies and operators’ role?

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Evolution to new technologies

Cognitive Radio Software Defined Radio MIMO Sensor networks Use of higher frequencies Cloud computing Migration to IPv6

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Summary

Explosion of applications using wireless communications will continue to put additional pressure on the demand of spectrum.

Efficiency in spectrum use will be key to meeting these new demands.

Spectrum management practices and regulatory framework will evolve and must be enabling

Need for different skill sets and support for capacity building.

Incentives to increase innovation.