Maximising the opportunity of the digital dividend
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The document discusses maximizing the opportunity of the digital dividend spectrum for broadband connectivity through harmonized spectrum policy. It summarizes the regulatory framework for digital dividend spectrum allocation in Africa and the Middle East. This includes Digital Dividend 1 from 790-862 MHz allocated to mobile broadband in 2007, and Digital Dividend 2 from 694-790 MHz allocated in 2012. It argues for harmonizing with the internationally agreed APT band plan of 694-733/758-788 MHz (2x30 MHz) for Digital Dividend 2 to facilitate roaming, economies of scale, quick response to market needs, and cross-border interference management.
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Maximising the opportunity of the digital dividend
- 1. CTO Abuja Nigeria October 8, 2013 MAXIMISING THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE DIGITAL DIVIDEND Development and harmonisation of spectrum policy to achieve broadband connectivity Peter Lyons Director of Spectrum Policy Africa and Middle East GSM Association
- 2. Regulatory Framework of the Digital Dividend The spectrum allocation for analogue television Analogue broadcasting 470 MHz 862 MHz In 2006, the Geneva 06 Agreement (GE-06) planned the migration from analogue to digital TV broadcasting for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with the analogue switch-off (ASO) deadline set for June 2015. Digital broadcasting 470 MHz 862 MHz This transition will provide: – – Significant improvement in programme choice and picture quality for viewers An opportunity to use some of the radio spectrum currently used for TV for other purposes, such as expanded mobile broadband service.
- 3. Regulatory Framework of the Digital Dividend Digital Dividend 1: In 2007, an international decision (ITU treaty – WRC-07) allocated the 790-862MHz band to mobile broadband. Mobile Digital broadcasting 790 MHz 470 MHz Digital Dividend 2: In 2012, as proposed by the African Telecommunication Union (ATU), a second international decision (ITU treaty – WRC-12) allocated the 694-790MHz band to mobile broadband after 2015. Mobile Digital broadcasting 470 MHz 862 MHz 694 MHz Mobile 790 MHz In October 2012, the ATU positively concluded that it is feasible to limit broadcasting to 470-694MHz, for four multiplexes with nationwide coverage. 862 MHz
- 4. Maximising economies of scale through harmonisation Importance of aligning spectrum rights, and regulatory and technical conditions with the internationally harmonised mobile spectrum bands Facilitate roaming Enable economies of scale and bring down the cost of mobile devices Respond quickly to market needs and bridge the Digital Divide Help manage cross-border interference CHOICE due to competition AFFORDABILITY due to manufacturing economies ROAMING due to harmonised bands SCALE due to billions of subscribers
- 5. Digital Dividend 2 Use of the 700MHz band by mobile services A decision at WRC-12 created the possibility of allocating the 694–790MHz frequency band (aka the 700MHz band) for mobile services. The outcome of the WRC-12 was based on a commitment to seek harmonisation of that band and the adjacent band (790-862MHz) already allocated to mobile services (and identified for IMT) in Africa, the Middle East and Europe What should the preferred band plan in 700MHz for the region be? 694/698 790 791 821 832 ? Digital Dividend 2 Digital Dividend 1 862 MHz
- 6. Situation of the 700MHz band in other regions The APT band plan (3GPP Band 28) is a close-to-global ecosystem opportunity 694/698 703 748 758 748 718 803 MHz 700 MHz APT Band Plan 3GPP Band 28 803 MHz Upper APT duplexer Lower APT duplexer 703 733 758 788 MHz Allow nations to opt for the full bandwidth or restrict to the upper 2x30 MHz or the lower 2x30 MHz to allow for related services in the band and provide overall band plan efficiency Large parts of the Asia Pacific region have declared support for that band plan, typically in its 2x45 MHz format. Most of Latin America such as Brazil, Chile, Colombia and recently Mexico have expressed their support.
- 7. Overlap between the 700MHz and 800MHz band plans (790-803 MHz) 800 MHz R1 Band Plan 3GPP Band 20 790 791 821 694/698 748 758 718 803 MHz 748 703 832 700 MHz APT Band Plan 3GPP Band 28 803 MHz Upper APT duplexer Lower APT duplexer 703 733 758 788 MHz Overlap between the 700 MHz and the 800 MHz band plans 862 MHz
- 8. Preferred 700 MHz band plan - 2x30 MHz Based on the lower APT duplexer 800 MHz R1 Band Plan 3GPP Band 20 703 733 758 Alignment of the band plan and the technical conditions to maximise harmonisation 694 703 733 758 Digital Dividend 2 790 791 788 MHz 791 821 832 862 MHz Preferred band plan 2x30 MHz 821 832 788 MHz Digital Dividend 1 862 MHz
- 9. Maximising the benefit of bands below 1GHz to deliver mobile broadband In summary, there is a unique opportunity to deliver mobile broadband, especially in rural areas. The unique physical characteristic of the bands below 1GHz favour larger coverage. Combination of spectrum bands to deliver mobile broadband – Below 1 GHz (interesting for coverage) 703 733 758 700 MHz – 788 791 821 832 800 MHz 862 880 915 925 960 MHz 900 MHz Complemented for capacity with 1800 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz
- 10. THANK YOU - MERCI Questions?
- 11. TV White Space The TV white space scenario relies on the licence-exempt model with “no individual rights of use” as well as “no individual frequency planning/coordination”. Capital markets and investors favour exclusive licensing models that protect incumbents on the basis of temporal, geographical or frequency-based exclusivity, rather than moving directly to more uncertain options created by TVWS: 1. non-homogeneous geographical coverage and fragmented bandwidth availability; 2. lack of availability of a single, well-standardised technology solution, usable in all nations/regions, implying a lack of scale economies and related high costs for network and user equipment due to needed customization of proprietary solutions; 3. lack of coexistence studies to evaluate interference effects The use of TV white space should not impact the preparation process for WRC-15. Deployment of TV white space systems should not distort the possible evolution of use of the TV UHF band, especially when considering the discussions on the Digital Dividend 2. Their possible use, on a secondary unlicensed basis, requires careful interference avoidance towards primary users such as existing TV broadcasters, as well as services in adjacent bands.