The document discusses managing 4G spectrum allocation in Somalia. It provides background on the global ITU process for spectrum allocation and notes upcoming World Radiocommunication Conferences. It then examines regional considerations for Somalia, including cross-border coordination issues. The document analyzes the mobile frequency bands currently used in Kenya and Somalia for 2G, 3G, and 4G services. It proposes initial 4G spectrum allocations for Somalia and identifies remaining issues to address, such as future 5G needs. Finally, it outlines steps for developing a migration plan, including assessing current usage, consulting with operators, and pursuing consensus on reallocation options.

1. Managing 4G Spectrum
Assignment in Somalia
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KHALID ABDULLAHI ALI

2. ITU Allocation Process
o Broad decisions on spectrum use and changes to
allocations are made at global ITU-hosted World
Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs)
– WRCs are held normally every four years
– WRC 2015 identified additional IMT (mobile) band allocations
– WRC 2019 (to be held in Egypt Oct. 22-Nov. 22) will consider
allocation of new IMT bands, including 3.4-4.2 and 26 GHz
o National allocations and requirements serve as inputs to
each country’s delegations to WRCs, resulting in
negotiated/compromise IFAT decisions
o WRCs are preceded by regional (ATU) and sub-regional
(e.g. EACO) preparatory meetings
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3. Regional Considerations
o Cross-border Coordination Issues
– Important to national users, vendors
o Bi-lateral and Informal Coordination
o Regional Coordination Process
– South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal, Mali, Zambia and
Zimbabwe often play lead roles
o Spectrum Allocation and Assignment
– There has been considerable regional and sub-regional harmony on
2G, 3G and early 4G spectrum in part due to the few bands involved
(900, 1800, 2100, 2500) but 4G is starting to use wider range of bands
worldwide (e.g. 700, 2600) which may complicate things
o Interference Assessment and Management
– Significant interference issues have arisen between MNOs across
borders of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda; also Lesotho/S. Africa
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4. Mobile Allocations and Usage
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Kenya Bands: 2G/3G/4G Somalia Usage: 2G/3G/4G*
700 MHz (4G: LTE Trials)
800 MHz (4G: LTE)
900 MHz (2G: GSM-900, P-
GSM, E-GSM)
1800 MHz (3G: GSM 1800)
2100 MHz (3G: IMT-2100)
700 MHz (4G: LTE
800 MHz (4G: LTE )
900 MHz (2G: GSM-850, P-GSM
900, E-GSM 900, T-GSM 900)
1800 MHz (4G: LTE and DCS)
2100 MHz (3G: IMT-2100)
2600 MHz (4G LTE)

5. 4G Allocations
o Worldwide numerous bands are in use for 4G:
800, 1400, 1700, 1800, 2100, 2500, 2600 (910
MHz in all for FDD plus another 365 TDD, incl.
some in 2000 and 2300 bands )
o In Africa (Region 1) the following bands have
been assigned for 4G: 700, 900, 1800, 2100, 2600
– This range of bands (compared to 3G) is due to
greater spectrum need and allocations of parts of the
bands to other uses; plus technical limits to band
sharing across uses
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6. 4G Use in Somalia
Operators Deploying 4G
1. Hormud (significant network in Mogadishu)
2. SOMTEL (about 50% of Mogadishu, c. 30 cells)
3. Sahal Telecom (test sites, about 10)
4. AMTEL (purchased/installing 4G equipment)
Spectrum Being Used for 4G
• Two LTE base stations c. 810 MHz, one c. 870 MHz, one c.
1970 MHz (all Mogadishu)
• Some do not follow ETSI/ITU-approved band plan for LTE

7. 4G Allocation in Somalia
o Based on existing 4G spectrum use, the
recommended can be these allotments:
– 791-821 (downlink) and 832-862 (uplink),
assigned to Operators 3 and 4
– 1805-1880 (downlink) and 1710-1785 (uplink),
assigned to Operators 1 and 2 except for 1805-
1840 and1710-1745
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8. 4G Allocation in Somalia
o Assuming the 700/800 and 1800 4G
allocations are accepted, issues remain:
– These allotments may not cover the needs of all the
existing operators nor of any prospective new entrants
– Neither the 800 nor 1700 bands (except for fixed or mobile
1690-1710) are allocated for 4G in Region 1 currently and
could experience cross-border interference
– Issues of the term of the resulting assignments, re-farming
rights (if any), and spectrum fees remain to be resolved
– Future 5G allocations should also be taken into account
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9. Migration Plan Preparation in Somalia
o Assess current use vs. reasonable frequency use and
regional/international considerations
o Classify inconsistencies as:
– Excessive frequency claims
– Inappropriate use of frequencies (given
international/regional and/or national considerations)
– Prospective assignments for existing or future needs
o Determine priorities re alteration of current use:
– Most urgent
– Urgent
– Less urgent
o Determine alternative and/or reduced frequency
targets
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10. Potential Implementation Steps
o Conduct consultation process
o Set transmitter tuning parameters by operator
and service (in favor of new allowable use)
o Specify (in advance) and apply penalties or
compensation fees for disregard of new
parameters—and compensate affected operators
o Revoke radio license (or parts thereof)
o Stop operation of valid transmitters on
inconsistent frequencies
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11. Assessment of Spectrum Usage, Needs
and Migration Options in Somalia
o Assess frequency claims vs. usage needs by
operator
o Assess changing technology and service needs
o Consult with operators about migration
options
o Pursue consensus-building and negotiation
process
o Rely on patience and perseverance
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12. Reference
• Więcek, D., Niewiadomski, D., & Mora, M. (2018, May). Compatibility
analysis of the 4G/5G systems with DTT in the 700 MHz frequency band.
In 2018 Baltic URSI Symposium (URSI) (pp. 261-264). IEEE.
• Abdel-Hadi, A., & Clancy, C. (2013, September). A robust optimal rate
allocation algorithm and pricing policy for hybrid traffic in 4G-LTE. In 2013
IEEE 24th Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor, and
Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC) (pp. 2185-2190). IEEE.
• Lanzani, C. F. A., Dittmann, L., & Berger, M. S. (2011). 4G mobile networks:
An analysis of spectrum allocation, software radio architectures and
interfacing technology.
• https://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2015/56.aspx
• https://www.un.org/en/africa/osaa/pdf/pubs/2016afrecooutlook-afdb.pdf
• https://unctad.org/en/docs/gdsafrica20051_en.pdf
• https://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCRP%208-
10B.10.pdf?ver=2017-03-15-110907-887
• https://ulii.org/node/23669
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