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Issues and challenges associated with
re-farming 2G bands
Presentation for ASEAN Spectrum Policy Forum #5
Amit Nagpal
18 March 2015
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Contents
•  Benefits of re-farming of 2G spectrum
•  Impact of re-farming on different stakeholders
•  Opportunities for re-farming of spectrum
•  Technical impact of liberalisation of spectrum use (technology
neutrality)
•  Spectrum management considerations
•  Impact of re-farming on competition
•  Practicalities of deployment of new technologies
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Benefits of re-farming of 2G spectrum
•  Improved spectral efficiency
•  Enabling widespread deployment of
new technologies e.g. UMTS900
Voice spectral efficiency evolution
•  Provide additional capacity
•  Faster introduction of new
technologies e.g. LTE using
1800MHz band
•  Support for higher data rates using
Carrier Aggregation Technology
•  Increasing pace of technological
innovation
Source: ‘Efficient Use of Spectrum’, Rysavy Research, May 2011
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Impact of re-farming on different stakeholders
Stakeholder
Perspectives
Regulators
Efficient use of spectrum
Guardians of competition and other policies
Governments
As above
Opportunity for revenue raising?
Spectrum users Maximise value generated from spectrum assets
Protect competitive position
Equipment
manufacturers
New revenue opportunities
Economies of scale through harmonisation
Consumers
New/better quality of services
Lower costs
International interoperability
Continued availability of service for those with 2G-only
handsets and other devices
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Opportunities for re-farming of spectrum
Regulator-led versus operators’ own decisions?
•  Timing of re-farming
•  How much of spectrum in each band? Mandated switch-over?
Some options for the appropriate timing:
•  International decision to harmonise band for new technologies
•  Review of usage conditions at time of licence expiry
•  As part of re-assignment of spectrum in context of wider
market development e.g. mergers and acquisitions
•  In conjunction with assignment of spectrum in new bands
Objective is to maximise benefits for consumers, whilst
ensuring users of the spectrum are treated as equitably as
possible
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Technical impact of liberalisation of spectrum use
Issues
•  Mandating specific technologies in each band versus a
technology-neutral approach?
•  Co-existence of different technologies in same band (inc 2G)
European approach
•  Technology-neutral usage conditions
•  Use of Block Edge Masks (BEMs) to manage in-band
interference
•  Adjacent channel interference – use of guard bands where
required
•  Co-ordination at international borders
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Spectrum management considerations
Background
•  GSM requires 200kHz paired channels
LTE carrier spectral efficiency
•  UMTS requires 5MHz paired channels
•  LTE benefits from 20MHz channels
•  Support continued use of part of bands
for 2G services
Source: ‘HSPA To LTE-Advanced’, Rysavy Research, Sept 2009
Maximising spectral efficiency
•  Creation of large contiguous blocks of spectrum
•  Require operators to work together to re-configure band (as
condition for allowing re-farming of participation in related
spectrum assignment process)
•  Complete re-organisation of band in event of new assignment
process
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Impact of re-farming on competition
Background
•  Operators may have very different existing spectrum portfolios
•  Re-farming could benefit some operators more than others
European approaches
•  Re-assign spectrum on expiry through new competitive
process – with new usage conditions (technology neutral) e.g.
Ireland
•  Review of existing spectrum assignments and regulator-led
rebalancing of spectrum assignments in individual bands (e.g.
Denmark, Italy, Spain)
•  Timing of re-farming set to coincide with assignment of new
spectrum bands which are viable alternatives for new
technologies e.g.UK
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Practicalities of deployment of new technologies
Mobile networks
Consumer equipment
•  Availability of sufficient
infrastructure at base station
sites can be a challenge
when introducing new
technologies
•  Availability of compatible
terminal equipment
(handsets, dongles) at
affordable prices for
consumers
– Physical space, power, air
conditioning
•  Wide choice of terminals
•  Adoption of ‘Single RAN’
solutions
•  Re-use of existing antennas
in re-farmed frequency bands
•  Economies of scale and
international interoperability
Importance of a harmonised
regional approach
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Contact details
Amit Nagpal
Partner
amit.nagpal@aethaconsulting.com
Tel: +44 7546 912355
Aetha Consulting helps players in the telecommunications industry to develop creative and
sustainable solutions to the challenges facing them in a constantly changing environment
We specialise in undertaking rigorous, data-driven and quantitative assessments to support major
strategic and regulatory decisions. We work with our clients to develop the tools and methodologies
appropriate to solve each new business problem as it arises
Our staff have been contracted to advise on key industry issues, including: market strategy
development, radio spectrum policy, spectrum valuation and auction support
We are committed to quality and exceeding our client's expectations. We have a strong track record of
successful assignments with operators, regulators, and manufacturers, as well as financial and legal
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