Eimear Sexton - Three - MNO Perspective on MM-Wave Licensin

1. Mobile perspective on 5G licensing and award:
mm-Wave focus
Eimear Sexton
Presentation for discussion at the Spectrum Policy Forum
8 June 2017

2. Policy
Everyone in the UK can enjoy fast and reliable mobile
broadband services
A lack of suitable spectrum will not inhibit the rollout of 5G
Statutory duty
Secure the optimal use of spectrum, having regard to current
and future demand
Award design
Allocate the spectrum to bidders most likely to put it to the
most efficient use and deliver the highest value to society
Further the interests of
consumers by
promoting competition
where appropriate
What are Ofcom’s objectives for allocating
5G spectrum?
Enable the UK as a
global leader in the
next generation of
mobile technologies
and digital comms
Outside scope of discussion

3. What do we know about mature 5G mobile networks
relative to networks of today?
• Many more interconnections and access points
• Access points moving much closer to end users
• Uncertain and challenging economics
• Shift towards HetNets
• Different mix of fixed and mobile network components
• Fewer similarities across MNO networks
• 5G networks are likely to focus on different combinations of capability

4. Cost-
effective
scaling
Fast
deployment
Flexible
rollout
Real
choice of
technical
solutions
What network characteristics will operators need to
enable a 5G success story?

5. What does this mean for licensing mm-Wave spectrum
for 5G? (I)
LICENSING IN PRINCIPLE
Avoid limits on use of mm-Wave spectrum for 5G mobile where this risks:
• Distorting opco choices across technical solutions
• Distorting the outcome of a mm-Wave spectrum award
• Less intensive use of mm-Wave bands than would otherwise be the case
LICENSING IN PRACTICE
For high certainty around usage rights for their mm-Wave assets opcos will require:
• Block allocations of spectrum
• Perhaps regional but probably national licensing?
• Minimal (and ideally no) limits on timing of rollout
• Avoidance of spectrum costs driven up unnecessarily by scarcity value
• Flexibility around use of the spectrum within technical limits for non-interference
• Long licence duration
• Exclusive licensing, at least for first tranche of 5G bands?

6. What does this mean for licensing mm-Wave spectrum
for 5G?(II)
SHARING IN 5G BANDS
• Making spectrum available for 5G assumes that this is the most efficient use
of spectrum
• Increased efficiency through sharing requires that the value of additional users does
not distort the behaviour of the highest value user – the case for sharing and options
for doing so need to be evaluated from this perspective
• Scope for sharing is likely to be:
• Different for different opcos depending on how they use mm-Wave spectrum
• Clear only once 5G networks are relatively well developed
MM-WAVE SPECTRUM ALLOCATION
Structure of demand for mm-Wave spectrum will be uncertain
• A ‘building block’ approach to spectrum packaging seems attractive, BUT
• This requires measures to protect against the risk of stranded assets
• How much stranded asset risk can be dealt with through (i) a small number of
different spectrum block sizes? (ii) minimum spectrum requirements?
• If significant risk remains, package bidding will need to be seriously considered