1. Caribbean Digital Broadcasting
Switchover Forum 2012
Workshop III: Spectrum, Licences and Best Practice
13th – 15th August 2012
Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago

2. 2
Overview
Considerations in Spectrum Planning
Aspects of the Licensing Framework
Applying Best Practices for a Best Fit for
your Country

3. 3
Spectrum Planning – Considerations
Current Use
 Number of channels used by existing Analog Broadcasters
 Number of channels unused – Digital Capital
Future Services
 Additional DTT operators
 Broadband Wireless Access Services (BWA)
 Cellular Mobile (4G)

4. 4
Spectrum Planning – Classification
54 MHz
2 6 7 13 14
51 52 69
698 MHz 806 MHz
88 MHz 174 MHz
VHF VHF
216 MHz 470 MHz
UHF
UHFUHF
BWABROADCASTING
BROADCASTING
Trinidad and Tobago Frequency Allocation Table (TTFAT)

5. 5
Spectrum Planning – Future Services
Digital Dividend
 VHF and UHF channels released after analog switch off
 Limited spectrum availability
 ‘Freed-Up’ channels used for deployment of other services
(typically BWA or 4G LTE)
Digital Capital
 VHF and UHF channels that are unused can be made available
immediately
 Large spectrum availability for DTT and other services
 Less interference issues - easier deployment of services

6. 6
Spectrum Planning – Digital Dividend
52 59
60 69

7. 7
Spectrum Planning – Digital Dividend
Spectrum Assignment for 4G Cellular Mobile Services in ITU-R Region 2
52 59
60 69

8. 8
Licences – Price Mechanism
Spectrum charge determined as:
 Market based
 Cost based
Licence Fee set by the Spectrum Classification
TATT’s Fee Regulations classifies spectrum fees:
 Broadcasting - TT$25,000 per MHz
 BWA - TT$ 66,670 per MHz pair
 Cellular Mobile - TT$ 542,160 per MHz pair

9. 9
Licences – Authorization Process
Policies and Frameworks for the issuing
of licences
First Come – First Serve
Auction
Beauty Contest

10. 10
Licences – Authorization Process
Advantages Disadvantages
First
Come –
First
Serve
Simple to administer
Works well when there is
readily available spectrum i.e.
supply greater than demand
May be inefficient as first comer
may not be highest value user of
the spectrum. May lead to
distortions in competition
Opaque in the sense that
competitors may not know
applications are being made and
assignments granted

11. 11
Licences – Authorization Process
Advantages Disadvantages
Auction Allocating a scarce resource to
the people who value them
most highly
Auctions are a way to
maximise revenues for the
Government
Objectivity and transparency
If operators spend large sums to
get a licence, they will invest less
in infrastructure
Higher fees will mean higher
prices to consumers
Auctions put emphasis only on
prices and do not take into
account other qualitative
objectives that the Government
may want to pursue

12. 12
Licences – Authorization Process
Advantages Disadvantages
Beauty
Contest
Government could determine
a set of objective parameters
and be able to enforce the
implementation of those
parameters
Problems may arise, since there
would be an open door to
favouritism and corruption
Legal challenges more likely,
results may be contested

13. 13
Best Practices – Considerations
Spectrum availability and current spectrum assignments
State of the Broadcasting Industry – both ‘Free To Air’
and Subscription
Suitability of a particular DTT standard towards provision
of TV services
Envisaged use of digital dividend (BWA and 4G cellular)
Complexity of rollout (coverage impairments, financial
capability of analog broadcasters)

14. 14
Best Practices – Applying Best Fit
Scenario 1
Few Analog Broadcasters, Large Digital Capital
Consider First Come – First Serve Licensing Process
Spectrum Plan – Classification of more UHF channels
towards BWA and cellular (upwards channel 30)
MFN network design can be considered
Each Broadcaster may implement switchover

15. 15
Best Practices – Applying Best Fit
Scenario 2
Many Analog Broadcasters, Small Digital Capital
Consider Beauty Contest Licensing Process
Spectrum Plan – Classification of UHF channels towards
BWA and cellular (700 MHz – upwards channel 52)
SFN network design preferred
Selected Entities for rollout of DTT Networks (Signal
Distributors)

16. 16
Best Practices – Applying Best Fit
Scenario 3
Fully used VHF/UHF Band, No Digital Capital
Auction – Spectrum Cap / Spectrum Reservations
Spectrum Plan – Classification of UHF channels towards
BWA and cellular after analog switch
SFN network design to be used
Selected Entities to rollout DTT network (Signal
Distributors)

17. 17
Thank You
For Your Attention
Ryan James
Manager, Wireless and Broadcasting Systems
Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
Email: rjames@tatt.org.tt
Phone: 868-675-8288
Fax: 868-674-1055