UK Spectrum Management Strategy: tomorrow

1
UK Spectrum Management Strategy tomorrows
challenges today

• Chris Woolford
• Director, International Spectrum Policy
• Radcomms 2014

2
We aim to manage spectrum in a way that
maximises the benefits to UK citizens and
consumers

• Our aims
• Furthering the interests of citizens and
  consumers, where appropriate by promoting
  competition
• including ensuring
• optimal use of spectrum
• availability throughout the UK of a wide range of
  communications service and TV and radio services
• ...whilst having regard to the different needs
  and interests of all spectrum users

3
A balanced approach to spectrum management
Auctions
Rely on the market to deliver efficient use where
possible and effective Key tools include
Trading
Liberalisation
Pricing
International harmonisation and coordination
Take regulatory action where necessary Key
instances include
Coexistence issues and coordination challenges
Promoting competition
Delivering other duties and the citizen interest
2
4
Current approaches to managing interference
deliver complementary benefits
Key characteristics Advantages Disadvantages
Licensed (E.g. mobile broadband) Centrally coordinated approach where use of spectrum is licensed to a particular user Licensed spectrum enables wide area coverage with good service quality Surety of access secures investment in critical national infrastructure Restricting use can act as an inhibitor to innovation Substantial costs and administrative overheads
Licence exempt (E.g. Wi-Fi) No licence required to access spectrum, which is effectively free Reduced barriers to entry provide a platform for innovation Limited restrictions on the kinds of technologies that can be used Susceptible to tragedy of the commons due to interference No central coordination, limiting use to short rage, low power applications
3
3
5
Tomorrows challenges

• Continued growth in demand for spectrum from all
  uses
• Expansion in low power, localised uses (M2M etc.)
• Fewer obvious opportunities for spectrum release
• Recycling of spectrum from lower to higher value
  uses
• Greater intensity and more dynamic use of
  spectrum
• Increasing importance of higher frequency
• spectrum

4
6
More spectrum is not only answer, e.g. mobile
operators can make more efficient use of existing
spectrum
Source Real Wireless
And making more spectrum available can take many
years of preparationso need to plan a long way
ahead
5
5
7
International engagement to influence
international outcomes
8
Ofcoms priority areas
Mobile data demand
700MHz band and future of free to view TV
Public Sector Spectrum Release
M2M/IoT
Emergency services
PMSE (wireless cameras and mics)
7
9
Work Programme
8
10
Current priorities
We already have four wireless data initiatives on
the go
Proposed release of the 700 MHz band
Pilot of TV white spaces
Award of 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz bands
870 MHz / 915 MHz licence exemption (suitable
for M2M)
9
11
Developments in Europe

• Continued increased interest from European
  institutions in spectrum matters
• For example discussions on spectrum form key part
  of draft Connected Continent Regulation
• Wireless broadband remains at the heart of
  European interests
• 700 MHz is highest profile. but other bands also
  of interest (1452-1492 MHz, 2.3 GHz, 3.4 3.6
  GHz)
• And increasing interest in a range of other
  spectrum related issues
• Future use of the UHF band
• Short Range Devices, RFID, Internet of Things
• PMSE, PPDR, scientific and transport applications
  etc. etc.
• European Commission can be expected to continue
  to push for stronger co-ordination of spectrum
  interests across Europe

12

• Thank you!