Advanced communication
platform for digital society
July 8, 2021
SoftBank Corp. / HAPSMobile Inc.
Disclaimer
This presentation material is made based on information available at the
time of writing. Plans, forecasts, strategies, and other forward-looking
statements in this presentation are not historical facts, and include elements
of risk and uncertainty. Actual results may therefore differ materially from
these forward-looking statements due to changes in the business
environment and other factors.
2
Arrival of a Super-digital Society
3
4
5
Communication platform development
2000s 2010s 2020s
Image
Movie
HD
4K
8K4G3G
Text
5G
2030s
Towards the new era beyond 5G, communication platform
needs to evolve to provide enriched connectivity for all things,
information and humans
6
7
GBS資料で文言修正
Bad No CoverageGood
Dense Urban Urban Rural Super Rural Maritime / Sky
Challenges for ground network until now
Deterioration of investment efficiency and
the absence of Maritime and sky coverage
Dense Urban Urban Rural Super Rural Maritime / Sky
8
An approach above the sky
which provides internet
coverage efficiently
NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network)
9
HAPS as an essential part of NTNDirect connectivity to existing user devices and
significantly low latency due to the shorter distance from the ground
36,000km
10,000km
1,000km
100km
20km
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Outer atmosphere
Outer space
Direct connectivity to existing user devices No need to replace for specific device
HAPS Satellite
Mobile
base station
Satellite
termination device
10
※According to international rules (Radio Regulations), in HAPS service it is possible to use frequency bands identified
for land mobile service (there is a WRC-23 agenda item for expansion of frequency bands for HAPS IMT usage).
For Sustainable Development
*SoftBank and HAPS Mobile supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 11
Scalability of HAPS
12
Contribute effectively to connect the unconnected
in both Time axis and Spatial axis
Uninterrupted coverage during disaster- Time axis -
13
• HAPS can provide seamless services to
wherever emergency communication is
necessary
• In the case that disconnection caused by
significant typhoons, earthquakes and
tsunami, HAPS can restore the
communication platform in one day by
immediate takeoff from the nearby hanger
Remote area coverage- Spatial axis in horizontal direction -
14
• HAPS can broadly cover around 200 km
in diameter, which will offer cost-effective
services to the remote areas where with
no network yet
• Areas where they have challenges to
build ground stations such as isolated
islands, mountainous areas and deserts,
HAPS can contribute to cover above the
sky
3D Area coverage- Spatial axis in vertical direction -
• HAPS is capable of providing services not only to the ground
but also the sky so that the network can be leveraged to the
flight vehicles like drones and air taxis.
Urban Rural Super rural
10km
150m
20km
Existing Coveragevia Ground-stations
Stratosphere
3D Area
via HAPS
15
HAPS technologyalready around the corner
16
HA member’s test flight: HAPSMobile
Delivered LTE Connectivity from
Sunglider (Fixed-Wing Autonomous
Aircraft in the Stratosphere)
Successful Test Flight
on September 21, 2020
17
HA member’s test flight: UAVOS
HAPS ApusDuo 14
Payload weight 3 kg
49.4kg
maximum takeoff mass
14m
wingspan
verified data based
on the latest trials
Up to 16,500m
flight altitude
Up to 6kg
payload
Static & dynamic tests
Weight balance tests
• at an altitude 16 500m
• at an latitude 54
Collecting telemetry data
Test flight – June 5, 2021 https://bit.ly/3jlPbsu
Energy balance tests Test flight – June 6, 2021
Test flight – June 23-24, 2021
Payload weight 4 kg
Payload weight 6 kg
• at an altitude 16 000m
• at an latitude 54
• at an altitude 16 000m
• at an latitude 54Test flights area – Belarus
The HAPS technology has been tested on the aircraft with a wingspan of up to 28 m, the total flight time is
more than 1000 hours, the maximum flight altitude is 19 km, the flight time is 52 hours.
54 latitude
18
HA member’s test flight: Sceye
* SOURCE: https://www.sceye.com/sceye-press-releases/sceye-reaches-stratosphere-flies-at-64000-ft/
Announced a significant milestone including
a successfully flight at an altitude of 64,600 ft (19.7 km)
and the record-setting data connection for a range of 140km
19
HA member’s test flight: DT
* SOURCE: https://www.telekom.com/en/media/media-information/archive/cellular-communications-service-from-the-stratosphere-609932
Conducted the world's first successful demo of LTE connectivity
and fully integrated into a commercial mobile network
from the low stratosphere
20
HAPS Alliance
TelecomAviation
Interoperability Commercialization
・ Promote and build standards and
guidelines for the upper airspace while
cooperating with ICAO, FAA and other
aviation regulators
・Advocate for global harmonization of
HAPS/HIBS spectrum at global/national level
・Influence commercial standards including
3GPP NTN
・Develop product specifications
・Standardization of HAPS/HIBS network
interoperability
・Publish case studies/whitepapers
・Joint pilot/Proof of Concepts
・Build a cooperative HAPS/HIBS
ecosystem
* SOURCE: HAPSMobile website
* SOURCE: HAPSALLIANCE website
By accelerating HAPS technologies and development
building a cooperative ecosystem
21
First Regulatory Positions PaperBriefly introduces HAPS and provides
regulatory recommendations for HAPS implementation
* The Regulatory Positions Paper can be found at the website. 22
Rule making is required for HAPS
• Use of Mobile Spectrum for HIBS (HAPS as IMT Base Stations)
• Flexible Spectrum Use for Non-terrestrial Gateway Links
• Harmonized Licensing Frameworks for HAPS Fixed Links
23
Spectrum
• Development of stratospheric flight management rules
• Type certification / manufacturing certification / airworthiness
certificationAviation
• Flexible policies and regulatory frameworks for ensuring
coexistence of services and avoiding cross-border interferenceCoordination
Dense Urban Urban Rural
IMT spectrum assigned to MNOs can be used for HIBS service link
Local MNO’s mobile service
Basic concept of spectrum usage
HIBS Servicecarrier’s carrier
HIBS
Ground-Based
IMT Base Station
All communications via HIBS will go
through local MNO's network and will be
subject to all local rules
24
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
WRC-23Studies in ITU-R (e.g. Sharing and Compatibility)
Current Regulations New
Additional Identification
25
WRC-23 Agenda Item 1.4- Use of HIBS in IMT identified frequency bands below 2.7GHz -
For proper regulatory action,
necessary technical studies
are being conducted
26
Other components of NTN
Dense Urban Urban Rural Super Rural Maritime / Sky
As the technology evolves, existing user terminals can also
be considered for satellite communications in the future.
Proper regulations for such usage are expected to be
coordinated for global rules in timely manner.
Pre-Commercialization
2017HAPSMobileEstablished
2019 Low Altitude Flight Test
2019Aircraft
Completed
2020Stratospheric
Flight Test
~ 2025Establishmentof Rules and Regulation
Commercialization
Milestones
2021Now
Establishment of rules and regulations may take 5~6 years
Summary
✓ Data communication platform is indispensable for the
digital society, especially during the era having a lot of
disasters even pandemic situation like these days.
✓ NTN especially HAPS is beneficial to the world to fill the
gap of accessibility to the internet, both in Time axis
and Spatial axis.
✓ Technology to utilize the stratosphere layer of the sky is
just around the corner, commercial service will be seen
right after the proper rulemaking.
Today’s challenge will be tomorrow’s normal
HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential
Bill Lan
Vice President, WN
Huawei Technologies
Huawei Confidential | 2
Factors deter digital connectivity in unserved areas
Lack of ElectricityDifficult Terrain
Low Level of Literacy
Low Population Density
Low Per Capita Income Poor Return on Investment
Huawei Confidential | 3
Source: Huawei Intelligence
N. America
Latin America
South Pacific
CIS
South East Asia
Nordic Countries
Sub Saharan Africa
Middle East
N. Africa
E. Europe
100%
99%
100%
100%
100%
95%
95%
89%
80%
87%
81%
78%
84%77%
71%
62%
60%
40%
36%
46%
3G alignment rate 4G alignment rate
LTE coverage vs 3G still low in DCs, 2020
MBB coverage gap improved but LTE coverage still low
State of global mobile Internet connectivity, 2019
Source: GSMA, 2020
Huawei Confidential | 4
Backhaul: VSAT/MW to LTE Relay (NLOS), 0 rental fee
Infrastructure: Tower to Pole, 70% cost saving
Power: D.G to Solar, 70% cost saving
Spectrum: In-band/out-of-band Flexibility
O&M: visual Remote management
“3 Transfer”Stretch 60km
Reduce 50% TCO
Innovative MBB solution extend coverage with low cost
None Line of Sight Backhaul
Easy Deployment• Easy assembling
• Free of concrete casting
• No need engineering vehicle
Easy Delivery• Mini truck easy transport to
rural areas
• 50% transport/deliver cost
Traditional MW Backhaul LTE NLOS Backhaul
Simple StructureOptimal Design
• Single Chip for RF, baseband, backhaul
• Single Module for RRU+BBU+LTE Relay
• LTE Relay 800MHz or 1.8GHz
• Light Design: 6/12m monopole, <600Kg
High Gain Yagi Antenna
Solar
Lithium Battery
LTE Donor Site Relay Site
800Mhz or 1800Mhz
900Mhz
Point to Multi-Point relay transmission
• Less/sparse-populated village
• Population: 3K
• Transmission Capacity: 20-80Mbps
• BTS capacity: GUL
• Coverage: 2~4Km
• Cell edge throughput:
10Mbps
Huawei Confidential | 5
Mexico
Costa Rica
Colombia
Ecuador
Peru
Bolivia
Argentina
Cote D'Ivoire
Namibia
Algeria
Nigeria
Kenya
Langfang
Vietnam
Cambodia
Thailand
Myanmar
Indonesia
Philippines
Laos
Morocco
Guinea
Cameroon
South Africa
Zambia
Uganda
Botswana
GuizhouBangladesh
Lithuania
Estonia
Mongolia
Xinjiang
Xiangyang
ZhoushanLiangshan
Uzbekistan
Zimbabwe
Brazil
Mali
Ukraine
Iraq
Ghana
Senegal
Ghana, +2,000 sites for 3.5M pop• 400 sites covered 1M population, 2018-19
• MTN+Huawei deployed 300 sites in 30 days
• Avg. data traffic: 5GB @site/day, 2020
Nigeria, +200 sites• RuralStar sites covered 2M population, 2020
• Avg. data traffic: 12GB@site/day, 2021Q1, 120% increased
• ROI 4-5X faster than traditional solution
Senegal• 62 sites deployed by operator
A in 2020
• Payback period 2/3 years for villages of 3,700, 1,000 pop
Guizhou, China• High cost per site for small mountain
villages
• RuralStar sites deployed in 1 day
• Improved coverage from 5% to 85%
• 30Mbps peak throughput + high quality VoLTE
Guinea• Strict environment:
swamps, heavy rain
• 100 sites by operator A in 2020
• Avg. data traffic: 1GB@site/day, 2020
RuralStar already connected 50M pop. in +60 countries
Huawei Confidential | 6
Site energy sharing lighten remote rural villages
DC: 1KW
AC meter
PLC Communication
AC: 2.5KW
Layer 1 Layer 2 AC Distribution Box (ACDB)
AC meter
Isolation transformer Box
Integrated control cabinet
Operator Reseller
50 Households50W X 8hrs@day$3.65@month
Load: 1 kW DC48 hours backup power
Electricity wholesaleAC 2.5KW X 8hr
Household
Cable layoutSub. management
School
House
ShopCost saving (D.G→Solar)
Less air pollution
Modular capacity expansion
Revenue Diversification
Reuse site resource
Less investment
Improve ROI
Power supply stability
Communication-class power supply reliability
Enhance digital inclusionGhana
Huawei Confidential | 7
NG-MW backhaul provide fiber-like capacity and reliability
Indonesia
• Large-scale + fast deployment: 15,000 MW links installed in 18 months
• 5G backhaul ready: E-band NG-MW deployed in Java
• Fiber-like capacity: 10Gbps, average 2.3km transmission distance
Saudi Arabia• Large-scale NG-MW deployment
support 5G backhauls
• Max 20GHz fiber-like mobile backhauls, E-band as majority
• Operator A outperform in 5G fast rollout, best quality in video steaming, latency of social medias and video conference
Fiber-like Capacity• Largely enhance E-band
capacity capable to support 5G BTS
• Max 20Gpbs vs. traditional 1-2Gbps
High Reliability• Intelligent beam tracking
antenna efficiently reduce influence of pole sway
• Always on line, applicable for extreme climates
NG-MW
Traditional MW
Low Opex• Carrier aggregation out
door unit integrates 4 frequencies in 6-42GHz
• Simplified components and easy installation
Huawei Confidential | 8
Long haul MW connected remote rural areas
Long Reach: 150km capability
High Capacity: Max 10Gbps
Reliability: 99.999%
Resilience : Sustainable operation
under extreme climate, - 40ºC
Low cost, fast deployment
Philippines
• Connect hundreds of
islands, 547 MW links,
14,001km in total
• Max 10Gbps capacity
• 99.999% reliability
Indonesia
• Connect 800 islands via +1,000 MW links in 6 months
• Super long transmission distance: 153km in east Java
• 4Gbps capacity with 99.999% reliability
Guinea
• National backbone as
supplement of fiber cables
• 70 MW links, 2,069km in
total across country
• High reliability
Bring digital to every person, home and organization
for a fully connected, intelligent world
Thank you
© 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 1
Building a Resilient Distributed Enterprise for the Post-Pandemic World
9 July 2021
Kartika PrihadiManaging Director, APJC Enterprise Networking Cisco Systems
© 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 2
Pandemic accelerated key technology trends
Source: Mckinsey Future of Work after Covid 19.;; Scott Galloway; MacAfee Report; Cisco; Zoom; Press Search; Cisco Analysis
“What used to take a decade took 8 weeks1”
Ecommerce grew 2 to 5 times faster than before the pandemic
Videoconferencing platforms saw growth of up to 30X
Cybersecurity top of mind – cyberattacks spiking 600% with work from home
Cloud Services grew 30-50% during pandemic months
1. Scott Galloway, Marketing Professor NYU Stern
© 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 3
Digital investments and resiliency are still top of mind to operate in the post-pandemic world
Source: KPMG CEO Pulse Survey. March 2021
61%
Most companies are building on their digital collaboration and communication tools
18%
Cybersecurity risk has become the top risk for CEOs
74%
Reported acceleration of the digitization of their operations
>50%
Will spend more on digital technologies this year
55%
CEOs are worried that not all employees would have access to vaccines
KPMG CEO Pulse Survey, Feb-Mar 2021
© 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 4
The future is of work is hybrid
Source: McKinsey What Executives are saying about the future of work, May 2021
• Per McKinsey study, the Hybrid model—in which employees work both remotely and in the office will the norm
• The majority of executives expect that for roles not requiring on site work, employees will be on-site between 21 and 80 percent of the time, or one to four days
© 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 5
Key principles of a resilient enterprise architecture
Enabling Business Policies
Resilient IT operating model
No compromise on employee safety, security, productivity and experience across a flexible distributed working environment
Flexibility to shift and scale IT capacity, capability and resources where demand lies and as the market environment evolves
Ability to develop and automate new capabilities in an agile manner as the business need arises
Source: Cisco Experience and Analysis
© 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 6
Build a Resilient Distributed Infrastructure for the new normal to prepare for any future shocks
Work Securely from Anywhere
Distributed Workersand Things
Secure Cloud-First Infrastructure Distributed Applications and Cloud Services
ApplicationsCloudOn Premise
SMBEnterprisesPublicSector
Maximize Experience & Productivity
Devices
Manage from Anywhere:Visibility, Automation, Analytics
Remote Worker
Collaborate from Any Device
Branch or Campus
Hybrid Cloud
SaaS / VDI
Public Cloud
DatacenterTemporary Workplace
Source: Cisco Analysis
Connectivity | Zero Trust Security | Cloud Services | CollaborationVisibility | Automation | Policy | Analytics (AI/ML)
© 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 7
Resilient Distributed Enterprise Blueprint Foundation for digital transformation post-Covid
Business Policies and Resilient IT Operations
Distributed Applications and Services
Business and Operating Model Evolution : New Digital Capabilities
Secure Infrastructure (Connectivity, Collaboration, Cloud, Security)
Distributed Workers
Phase 1 Respond and Retool
Phase 2 Reimagine
Resilient DistributedEnterprise Architecture
Digital Transformation
Post-Covid Digital Strategy
Source: Cisco Analysis
Vertical Use Cases to Restart the Business
Vertical Use Cases for the New Business Model
Time
Deg
ree
of tr
ansf
orm
atio
nDuring Covid Digital Strategy
© 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 8
Broad portfolio of capabilities required to support a flexible resilient distributed architecture
Distributed Workers and Things
Secure Cloud-First Infrastructure
Distributed Applications and Services
Employee and Site Safety
Secure Remote Access
Optimized Connectivity and Scalable Capacity
Remote Visibility and AssuranceAutomation and Zero Touch Provisioning
Applications and Cloud Services Experience
Common Policy and Segmentation
Secure Communication and Collaboration
Hybrid and Multicloud Delivery
Source: Cisco Analysis
© 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 9
Cisco Best Practices for Business Policies and a Resilient IT Operating Model
• WFH policies• Data and Application
Security policies• Workplace Resources
• Network Operations• Data Center / Cloud Operations• Security Operations• Laptop / Devices Management
Cisco Best Practices: Key Considerations
Source: Cisco Analysis
Business Policies
IT Operating Model
© 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 10
Top of Mind Themes: Empowering distributed work in a cloud-accelerated world
Return to WorkplaceSecure Remote Work Flexible Multi-Cloud
Secure Communication and Collaboration
Secure Remote Access
Employee and Site Safety
Optimized Connectivity and Scalable Capacity
Hybrid and MulticloudDelivery
Visibility and Assurance
Source: Cisco Analysis
Key
Capa
bilit
ies
Applications and Cloud Services Experience
Automation and Zero Touch Provisioning
Common Policy and Segmentation
Resilient Distributed Enterprise Infrastructure:Zero Trust Security and End-to-End Visibility
© 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 11
Building for resilience considerations
What is the target mix of distributed work in the future ? Do we have the optimal communications and collaboration infrastructure for productivity ?
What capabilities would you require across your distributed work environment as you build out a new operating model ?
How do we ensure that applications are delivered to any worker optimally ?
Do we have a consistent security policies and integrated security strategy e.g. zero trust?
How do we ensure that our IT operations are set up to manage the infrastructure for distributed workers and applications ?
Source: Cisco Analysis
© 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 12
Prepare for the Hybrid Workplace
Next Steps
Start your journey to a Resilient Enterprise
© 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 14
Work from home
98%
Enable work flexibility without compromiseToday
On-the-go
2%
Tomorrow
Traditional office locations
0%
Traditional office locations
30%
Work from home
65%
On-the-go
5%
Source: Cisco Analysis
“Wireless Spectrum in Asia-Pacific for the 5G Era:IMT Spectrum Assignment Study”
Scott W MinehaneITU Expert, Windsor Place [email protected]
The scope of the ITU study Key early observations for IMT spectrum assignments in ASP Key upcoming IMT spectrum assignments in ASP Exemplar practice for releasing spectrum Additional challenges to support the release of 5G Spectrum Key observations specific to LDCs, SIDS & LLDCs
Overview
The scope of the ITU study• The key objective is to develop a resource for the ITU’s Asia-Pacific member
states which provides information and insights concerning IMT spectrum assignments in the region. There are five major components of this study, namely:
(i) Considerations underlying spectrum assignments
(ii) IMT spectrum assignments in the Asia-Pacific region in the last 5 years
(iii) Proposed IMT spectrum assignments in the Asia-Pacific region
(iv) Approaches to the setting reserve prices for spectrum assignments
(v) Policy and regulatory settings for spectrum assignments.
• Key to the report is the compilation of a database of ASP IMT spectrum assignments as well as number of country case studies on the release of IMT spectrum.
Key early observations for IMT spectrum assignments in ASP (1)The key early observations of our study :
• Mostly all ASP countries covered by the ITU study have allocated spectrum (28 out of 37) over the past 5 years, noting that we are still seeking data from Pacific countries so that figure may rise
• The top three most popular IMT spectrum bands allocated were: 1) 1800 MHz band typically used for 4G services, 2) 3.5 GHz band for 5G services & 3) 2100 MHz band used for 3G/4G services
• There was an overwhelming preference in the region forspectrum allocation through spectrum auctions. Othermethods of spectrum assignment included administrativeallocations, beauty contests, hybrid (assignment andauction) and direct offers.
• 5G spectrum allocations in the pioneer band(3.5 GHz/ n77/78 band) took off from 2018. The3.5 GHz band allocations continued throughout2019 and peaked in the region in 2020.
• More developed countries/regions (eg Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand) have also allocated mmWave for 5G.
Source: BBC
Key early observations for IMT spectrum assignments in ASP (2)The key early observations of our study (continued):
• The length of licence varies between Asia-Pacific countries. One of the shortest licences granted was in the Republic of Korea (5 years for the 28 GHz band), whilst the longest was in India (20 years for across a variety of bands). The most common licence length in the region over the past five years is 15 years (eg Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, etc.)
• Other spectrum licences were not limited by a particular number of years, but were contingent on other factors such as in Bangladesh (5.7 year licence for the 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands to align with the end date of other spectrum licences), New Zealand (2 year licences were offered for the 3.5 GHz band due to COVID-19 and increased capacity requirements) and Nepal (1800 MHz licence length is linked to telecommunications licence term).
Source: Telstra, March 2020,
Key early observations for IMT spectrum assignments in ASP (3)The key early observations of our study (continued):
• Conditions have imposed to encourage the rollout of a 5G networks and/or ensure nation-wide coverage, as in Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore. For example, in Singapore the two winners of 3.5 GHz band spectrum in Singapore, Singtel and Antina have until 2022 to deliver coverage to 50% of Singapore. They have another 3 years(until the end of 2025) to deliver nationwide coverage. TheIMDA acknowledged the challenges of 5G deployment andtherefore allowed the winners to propose a reasonabletimeline to achieve nationwide coverage.
• In Thailand, NBTC motivated 5G investment in Thailand by giving 3 years grace period for any repayment if 5G is deployed in 50 percent of Eastern Economic Corridor (ECC) Area within 1 year and 50 percent of smart city within 4 years.
• When imposing conditions or coverage commitments, regulators must be careful to avoid early and unnecessary investment, and ensuring that competition is the driving force behind any 5G rollout. This is because 5G handset penetration in the region remains relatively low albeit growing strongly in certain markets (eg Australia, China, Japan, Republic of Korea etc)
Key early observations for IMT spectrum assignments in ASP (4)The key early observations of our study (continued):
• Based on regional examples, optimal Information Memorandum typically prepared by the regulator prior to the release of spectrum includes the following:
Key upcoming IMT spectrum assignments in ASP• From our study, the key upcoming IMT spectrum assignments in ASP are:
• The key focus appears to be around the auctioning of capacity mid-band spectrum namely the 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands.
• For upcoming spectrum allocations in late 2021, there is a focus on spectrum allocation as a precursor to 5G launches (eg Vietnam, Pakistan, Malaysia via single wireless network) and additional spectrum for 5G (eg China).
• Some upcoming spectrum allocations are paired with scheduled 2G/3G service shutdowns (eg Vietnam, Malaysia). Some upcoming spectrum allocations are an attempt to facilitate industry competition (eg, Iran). While others are to refarmlow band spectrum into 5G NR compatible blocks(eg 2 x 5 MHz blocks) (eg Australia).
• Refarming of certain IMT bands may be required to makethe existing band allocations into larger contiguousblocks and preferably to be licensed in 5 MHz blocks.
Exemplar practice for releasing spectrum (1)The overall aim of spectrum management is to maximise welfare by ensuring spectrum is used most efficiently and for the right purpose. This requires balancing a number of objectives:
• Maximise overall public benefit derived from using the radiofrequencyspectrum.
• Make adequate provision of the spectrum for use by agenciesinvolved in defence, emergency, community services, etc.
• Encourage the use of most efficient radiocommunicationstechnologies to maximise range and quality of servicesespecially IMT spectrum used for mobile and wireless broadband services.
• Provide an efficient, equitable and transparent system of charging for the use of spectrum taking account of the value of both commercial and non-commercial use of spectrum.
It is also critical that licensees have a high degree of certainty as to what, when and how critical IMT spectrum will be made available so that they can plan deployments, technologies, investments etc. This is especially important given increasing spectrum demand due to the COVID pandemic (including WFH/SFH etc) and the need to efficiently provide nationwide services.
Exemplar practice for releasing spectrum (2)Across the region there remains too few examples of Governments and regulators issuing a spectrum roadmap especially for IMT spectrum.
A spectrum roadmap is important as it is an agreed plan for both governmentand all stakeholders setting out the steps and timing in making availableunused spectrum and in better utilising existing spectrum allocations.
In particular, a spectrum roadmap should cover:
• An audit setting out current use of spectrum and identifying any spectrum that could be re-farmed to higher value use;
• The schedule for future spectrum releases;
• How spectrum will be assigned, including a framework for determining spectrum prices and other terms and conditions; and
• The timing and process for spectrum renewal decisions.
In the region, Australia, New Zealand, and Myanmar have detailed IMT spectrum roadmaps, Pakistan has a rolling spectrum strategy, while India is currently consulting on a 10 year spectrum roadmap.
Exemplar practice for releasing spectrum (3)IMT Spectrum Roadmap Targets:
• Subject to demand, to ensure that there is more IMT Spectrum for wireless broadband and 5G deployment in Asia-Pacific markets availability should be increased to at least 840 MHz of total IMT spectrum plus allocations of mmWave spectrum as soon as possible (except smaller markets).
• Such allocations should be in larger contiguous blocks consistentwith future best practice eg 5G NR. Preferability in 5 MHz blocks.
• Knowing that there will be sufficient spectrum in the future to support 3G, 4G and 5G service offerings, MNOs can confidently make the necessary long-term investments in digital infrastructure.
• Such spectrum should be allocated on a technology neutral basis and MNOs should also have the flexibility to use their allocated IMT spectrum for mobile broadband and/or FWA services
• Should acknowledge the need for spectrum refarming with the switch-off of legacy 2G/3G systems over time given the very high costs of concurrently operating 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G services
Also, refer to ITU White Paper Digital Infrastructure Policy and Regulation in Asia-Pacific Region, released 2 September 2019
Exemplar practice for releasing spectrum (4)In terms of pricing, across the Asia-Pacific region, there remains many examples, often in South Asia where the reserve prices are arguably set too high, the reserve price becomes the price to acquire and spectrum is left unsold.
Best practice: Set reserve price inthe green zone and rely on auctionto determine market price
Bad practice: Attempting to price in the orange or red zones
• High risk that award will fail with spectrum going unsold, at expense of consumer benefits from spectrum use
• Even if spectrum sells, consumer benefits may be destroyed owing to disincentives for investment and competition
Award Failure – Spectrum will go unsold, as marginal winners cannot afford spectrum
Spectrum may sell, but with maximum risk and financial burden on operators, and associated disincentives for competition and investment
Absent positive externalities, government should not proceed on these terms, as revenues do not cover costs of award
Effective Pricing Zone – trade off between:
higher prices (more revenues but higher burden on operators and their customers)
lower prices (lower financial burden but less revenues and demand reduction concerns)
IMPLICATIONS FOR REGULATORS
Source: NERA Economic Consulting ,
Additional challenges to support the release of 5G SpectrumFor many countries in Asia-Pacific, the move to make spectrum available for 5G will result in the first release of TDD spectrum. With TDD systems (including systems in the 3.5 GHz band) there are two levels of synchronisation which are needed, namely inter-operator synchronisation within a country and synchronisation across borders.
Synchronisation between TDD mobile networks refer to parameters that make sure adjacent networks send and receive data from mobile or fixed devices at the same time, in order to avoid interference. Without synchronisation at a national level between operators, it will be impossible to deploy networks without impacting performance due to interference
• Putting in place synchronisation and agreed frame structure ensures efficient spectrum usage – no additional guard band is required – and network equipment costs can be reduced. This will assist in making 5G services more affordable. This has been the approach adopted in the region including in Australia, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore.
Recommended National Frame Structure for 3.5 GHz spectrum
For TDD 2.6 GHz where there is 5G coexistence with 4G/LTE TDD network a 5 ms frame structure of 8:2 (DDDDDDDSUU) should be adopted in order to be compatible with 4G/LTE network.
Key observations specific to LDCs, SIDs & LLDCs (1)What key observations can be made in relation to LDCs?
• Critical to make more IMT spectrum available at reasonable and affordable prices with target of at least 840 MHz in total if not a reach target of 960 MHz for Asia-Pacific countries with a large population
• Given the need for affordable retail services, priorisation should be on low and mid-band spectrum unless there is demand for high band spectrum. “Downbanding” of 4G and 5G spectrum and deployments is likely to result in lower capex and opex costs for MNOs especially in relation to towers, backhaul etc
• IMT spectrum allocations should be service and technology neutral to allow integrated 4G/5G services (eg in the 2.6 and 2.3 GHz bands) and to facilitate transition from legacy 2G/3G services
What key observations can be made in relation to SIDS?
• Focus should be on making low band spectrum available with some mid-band spectrum to support higher speed broadband services in any urban areas. Should be more selective about IMT band availability
• Need to improve network resilience and disaster preparedness with infrastructure sharing/hardened infrastructure
What key observations can be made in relation to LLDCs?
• Important to have cross-border co-ordination measures in place with neighbours especially in relation to TDD• Need to have harmonized spectrum allocations and work through the ITU and regional groups like APT, ASEAN,
and SAARC, to achieve maximise spectrum availability and minimize harmful spectrum interference
ITU paper on Pandemic in the Internet Age: From second wave to new normal, recovery, adaptation and resilience Summary of key themes highlights the optimal way post-pandemic to ensure better preparedness, and ensure connectivity
Key elements involving IMT spectrum
Key observations specific to LDCs, SIDs & LLDCs (2)