Outlook for 2007: spectrum liberalisation

In ten years time, how far will Europe have got with its spectrum liberalisation agenda? That was PolicyTracker's question for the New Year and although responses were varied any expectation of rapid change seems to have disappeared.

The cautious liberalisers, and quite often people with a more technical background, found the question difficult to answer. However, those whose responses rolled quickly off the tongue tended to have an economics background.

Read the full article here

Consultation - Malta communications Authority (MCA)

Policy Review and Strategic Framework of Radio Spectrum Management

MCA are consulting on the radio spectrum management environment in Malta and its existing and emerging policy issues requiring consideration over the coming years, specifically: (i) the need to inform the Minister responsible for Communications on the existing and emerging policy issues. (ii) the need for a clear, well-balanced strategy to maximise the impact of the use of the radio spectrum; (iii)the need to ensure that spectrum is managed in a flexible and transparent way; and (iv) the need to provide stakeholders with a publicly available well- informed strategy.

Read the full details at: http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php? sact=448

UK: Retrospective licence liberalisation put on backburner

UK regulator Ofcom has confirmed it has no immediate plans to apply a technology and service neutral approach to existing licences.

A new type of licensing, where companies could use any technology provided it kept within specified emission limits, is the last piece in Ofcom’s liberalisation jigsaw. Spectrum Usage Rights (SURs) are intended to deliver change of use – the necessary complement to spectrum trading.

Read the full details at: http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php? tact=447

December 2006 edition

This month's edition of PolicyTracker, Europe's spectrum management newsletter, examines the latest development in the fight to gain spectrum access for mobile FWiMAX - the attempt to get the technology included within the IMT 2000 standard. We also analyse the first moves towards infringement proceedings for failing to implement an EU spectrum agreement as well as the slow progress in implementing technology neutral licensing. Further details on these and other stories below.

WiMAX/IMT-2000

Formal application made to include WiMAX in 3G standard
In a major change of strategy the WiMAX camp is working frantically to get their mobile wireless standard recognised as an IMT-2000 technology in time for the World Radio Conference.

Norway opens doors for new technologies
In what is expected to be a first for Europe, Norway is to auction technology neutral and tradable licences to use the coveted 2500-2690 MHz frequencies in the second quarter of next year.

Infringement proceedings

First attempt to enforce EU spectrum agreements
For the first time, the European Commission has invoked the process which could lead to formal infringement proceedings against member states for failing to comply with an agreement relating to radio spectrum.

Analysis: A European spectrum space?
How achievable is European spectrum harmonisation? A group of experts are calling for more mandatory common bands while three member states face infringement proceedings for failing to implement the existing ones. Is this success or failure?

Technology neutral licensing

No liberalised licensing in UK for at least 12 months
Industry nerves slow down implementation of technology and service neutral licensing.

Retrospective licence liberalisation put on backburner
Ofcom has confirmed it has no immediate plans to apply a technology and service neutral approach to existing licences.

European agreement on technology neutral licences at 'least two years away'
Progress is being made in creating the technical conditions for the new WAPECS licences. Some of the likely options are now becoming clear, but progress is painfully slow.

Study on licence-free spectrum published
A consultants' report - paid for by the European Commission - which calls for more mandatory unlicensed bands is now available for download.

Other articles

UK Industry concerned about falling behind in mobile TV race
There are fears that a lack of suitable spectrum will delay the rollout of DVB-H and Ofcom is coming under increasing pressure to specify when a key band - Channel 36 - is likely to be released.

Military spectrum under fire
It has been called the lifeblood of the battlefield but in the future the military's radio spectrum could be threatened by commercial terrestrial services. The need for military action is currently being debated; should these frequencies be protected?

Three government ministers and EU Commissioner to speak at spectrum event
The ITU has organised what promises to be the highest level international spectrum policy conference in recent years. About 200 people are expected to attend the Market Mechanisms for Spectrum Management event which will be held on 22 - 23 January 2007 in Geneva.

Ofcom's head of R&D predicts the future
The mobile phone will soon be an indispensable "remote control on life", transforming the users' world and the bank balances of the companies that make them, according to Dr William Webb's new book. But surprisingly he doesn't see any technological paradigm shifts in the near future.

Light touch for FWS bands
UK communications regulator Ofcom has adopted a light licensing approach to the spectrum bands to be used for fixed wireless systems (FWS), a move expected to fuel competition with fibre optic cable.

To download the whole December issue of PolicyTracker click here.

November 2006 edition

This month's edition of PolicyTracker focuses on the challenges of frequency harmonisation concentrating particularly on the unlicensed bands and the use of the analogue TV bands for other services like mobile. Regulators consider re-planning analogue TV frequencies to make room for mobile The first step towards an EU policy on the digital dividend points out the advantages of making common bands available for mobile services but warns this could require another international conference.

Calling all risk takers A handful of European countries are inching towards a more flexible approach to spectrum management. This is a very slow process and consequently begs a fundamental question; do Europe's regulators need to take bigger risks?

Sweden sets spectrum reform in motion A new spectrum management policy document for Sweden is the stepping stone to an environment where all players can compete, but the removal of some of the restrictions imposed by its current legal framework remain a challenge. Give Commission more power to enforce harmonisation A consultants' study says all EU member states should be required to implement harmonised licence-free bands. They also say access to this type of spectrum needs to be speeded up and simplified. Spectrum reform: devil in the implementation Spectrum management reform has been placed firmly on the European policy agenda, but if interpretation and implementation challenges are not speedily ironed out, a would-be regulatory success story may end in disappointment. US think tank research challenges traditional spectrum theory The tendency in spectrum policy to link the licensed model with property rights and the unlicensed model with a commons may need a serious rethink, argues a new paper by Dr Jim Snider of the New America Foundation. BWA gets leg up in Germany Germany's Federal Network Agency is to auction the coveted 3400-3600 MHz band for the provision Broadband Wireless Access, a move it hopes will stimulate broadband competition and innovation. Near two years on...so far so good? Howls of public protest on spectrum trading, in the UK at least, are coming not from traders frustrated two years on at snail's pace progress, but from those being evicted from tradable bands. Arqiva wins spectrum auction hands down Broadcasting transmission company Arqiva outbid five other operators by £1.3 million to secure a Wireless Telegraphy Act licence for the 412-414 MHz paired with 422-424 MHz frequencies. MEPs endorse flexibility but remain concerned about the 'public interest' Their report is still being finalised but MEPs from the European Parliament's industry committee seem broadly in favour of the spectrum liberalisation agenda proposed by the Commission.

You can download the whole November issue as a PDF by clicking here. We are currently offering new subscribers the opportunity to attend the Second Annual European Spectrum Management Conference and take out a years subscription to PolicyTracker at a saving of over 25% on the usual combined price. The conference is being held in Brussels on 24-25 April 2007. To find out more please click here.

Policytracker October 2006

This month's edition of PolicyTracker, Europe's spectrum management newsletter, takes a wide-ranging look at the likely economic impact of the switchover to digital TV. Offering new broadcast services in the released frequencies is by far the easiest option but encouraging other technologies to use some of the freed-up bands is expected to stimulate innovation and economic growth. The latter option entails huge technical and organisational difficulties and the question remains, is there the political will to tackle them? Editorial: The digital dividend dilemma Revising RRC-06 to aid the introduction of non-broadcast services in the digital dividend bands will be complicated and time-consuming. But could doing nothing be even worse? Commission aims high on digital switchover The European Commission has been feeling its way in the dark as it moves to define a policy for future use of the digital dividend. A tentative position is emerging, but some stakeholders wonder if Commissioners are dreaming. South Africa aims for 2010 digital kick off The World Cup is driving South African policy makers to quickly define a strategy for digital migration with an unofficial target for dual illumination of the two networks set to begin in 2008. The quiet revolution buried in the arcane detail A genuinely technology neutral spectrum licensing regime for a converged world may no longer be a pipe dream. EU member states have just provided some of the information required for the European Commission to formulate such a policy for adoption by 2010. Spectrum usage rights debate inches forward UK communications regulator Ofcom is planning to use one of its upcoming auctions to trial the introduction of Spectrum Usage Rights. MEPs endorse flexibility but remain concerned about the 'public interest' Their report is still being finalised but MEPs from the European Parliament's industry committee seem broadly in favour of the spectrum liberalisation agenda proposed by the Commission. National security impacts auction outcome The US Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Advanced Wireless Service (AWS) auction closed this month with T-Mobile topping the bids at around $4.2 million but revenues generated may have been dampened by national security concerns. Critics unconvinced by FCC "white space" plans The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced plans for unlicensed devices to gain access to the coveted television broadcast spectrum below 900 MHz, but is this anything more than a ploy to appease Congress? In a second article former FCC employee, Michael Marcus, gives his own detailed analysis. Legal ruling gives boost to GSM gateways The UK's Competition Appeals Tribunal has dismissed claims by the regulator Ofcom that a banned technique used to cut the cost of calling mobile phones breached laws on the use of spectrum. Trading will not bridge the digital divide A technology neutral approach to spectrum licensing is popular in Africa but there is little appetite for full liberalisation. Quite right too, says one of Europe's leading liberalisers. Spectrum auctions: beware the minefield Thinking about bidding for one of the UK's upcoming spectrum auctions? Be warned - it is more complex than it looks.

Policytracker September 2006

This month's edition of PolicyTracker highlights how the European Commission is stepping up the pressure on member states to produce comprehensive plans for what promises to be the decade's biggest spectrum release. All national administrations have been asked to submit an inventory of what they are doing to reallocate the analogue TV frequencies as support grows for regional harmonisation of the released bands. Read the full story here.

The other articles in PolicyTracker this month include:

Legal ruling backs mobile call cost-cutting scheme Tribunal dismisses key Ofcom arguments in GSM gateways case

Danish authorities rethink spectrum management A move away from command and control

South African spectrum policy takes cue from Europe Market demand forces reassessment Plans for terrestrial services in fixed satellite bands meet resistance Satellite vs 3G: dispute intensifies Norway moves with the mobile times 2.3 GHz spectrum to be auctioned Radio mic users fear the future Pan-European harmonisation not an option, says Ofcom. Evolution not Revolution Competition is the only way to create spectrum flexibility says Professor Gérard Pogorel