Impact of WRC-15 Outcomes on Sub-Saharan Africa Sarah Kabahuma

Introduction Radio spectrum are electromagnetic signals operating between 3 Hz – 3000 GHz Radio spectrum is key for a number of services- satellite, mobile, radar, etc Effective use of radio spectrum has a direct correlation to economic development FCC estimated the value of 645.5 MHz is approximately $ 500 billion A GSMA study indicated that the 700 MHz band has potential to create 21 million jobs in Asia Pacific by 2020

Introduction Sub Saharan Africa is one of the fastest growing economic zone World Bank projections have indicated a steady growth since 2014

WRC-15 WRC is a conference that has mandate to make decisions on the most efficient ways on use of radio spectrum WRC-15 had over 25 Agenda items. Studies were conducted in the some of the following areas: Mobile and broadband, Emergency communications, Unmanned aircrafts, Global flight tracking etc Sub-Saharan Africa was keen to follow the WRC-15 studies with support from regional groups i.e. EACO, SADC, ECOWAS, ECCAS and ATU

Key Focus Areas This paper focuses on three key aspects with focus on Sub- Saharan Africa Additional spectrum for IMT services C band Allocation UHF TV broadcast band

Additional Spectrum for IMT 5G technology and beyond are a key discussion in mobile industry. Additional radio spectrum is a prerequisite to meet the demands for 5G technology ( future technologies) It is estimated that by the year 2020 the global radio spectrum requirement for IMT would range from 1340-1960 MHz Agenda item 1.1 of the WRC-15 identified a number of candidate bands from which allocation would be made to meet the global radio spectrum requirements for IMT

Additional Spectrum for IMT The final decision that was made identified additional spectrum in the following bands : 1427-1518 MHz, 3300-3400 MHz ,3400-3600 MHz, 694-791 MHz Before WRC-15 885 MHz New Allocation 487 MHz After WRC -15 1372 MHz

C- Band Allocation (Battle for C- Band) C-band ( 3400-4200 MHz) has been primarily used for satellite services. However wireless broadband promoters seek to break this The battle for C-band has been a long standing issues that has been raised in past WRCs i.e.. 2007 and 2012 and 2015 was no exception. The band was identified for allocation for mobile services. Studies conducted indicated sharing difficulties between fixed satellite services and IMT services in the C band

C- Band Allocation- Battle for C- Band 200 MHz of the C band i.e. 3400-3600 MHz was allocated to IMT on a primary basis This was considered a win- win situation

UHF Band 470-694 MHz The UHF band 470-694 MHz is desired for its suitable propagation properties. This band is currently allocated to Digital Terrestrial television in Sub Saharan Africa. Migration from analog to digital television had a deadline for 17th June 2015 to this band 470-694 MHz . This exercise is still on going in some countries in the Sub-Saharan region Sub- Saharan Africa was against allocation of this band for IMT. The outcome decision was in favour of Sub Saharan Africa – the status of 470-694 MHz band was maintained ( unchanged) WRC-15 agreed to review the usage of this band in 2023

Expected Impact of the outcomes on Sub Saharan Africa Additional spectrum for IMT Growth of the mobile industry Thus Increase in GDP Call for Policy makers to be vigilant and cognizant of the effects of the additional radio spectrum e.g. spectrum auctions, national broadband strategies, budget allotment, skills enhancement etc

Expected Impact of the outcomes on Sub Saharan Africa C Band Usage Administrations with Fixed satellite services in the C Band will have to be on look out for interferences that may be caused by IMT deployment Depending on levels of interference the eventual usage of C Band for either IMT or satellite will be affected

Expected Impact of the outcomes on Sub Saharan Africa UHF Band Between now and 2023, Sub Saharan Africa will have to review the actual usage of the 470-694 MHz band The region will be required to articulate the spectral requirements for digital terrestrial television

Conclusion Sub-Saharan Africa benefited from the WRC-15 through having its interests meant through obtaining additional radio spectrum for IMT services, having a win-win situation with the C-band and protecting the UHF band for DTT broadcasting. Sub-Saharan Africa will have to evaluate these outcomes and determine appropriate actions that will be taken so that the economic developments predicted through effective spectrum management are a reality in the region.

Reference International Monetary Fund, World Economic Survey “Regional Economic Outlook, Sub- Saharan Africa, Navigating Headwinds”, Chapter 1,Published April 2015. Tony Lavender, Paul Hansell, Iain Inglis and Sarongrat Wongsaroj “Use of C-Band (3400/3600-4200 MHz) for mobile broadband in Hungary, Italy, Sweden and the UK”, A report for Ericsson, Huawei and Qualcomm, Pages 1-6,Plum Consulting, Published in June 2015. http://www.plumconsulting.co.uk/pdfs/Plum_Jun2015_Use_of_C- Band_for_mobile_broadband_in_Hungary_Italy_Sweden_and_UK.pdf GSMA, “The Mobile Economy Sub Saharan Africa 2015”, page 2. www.gsma.com ITU-R, WRC-15 CPM report, 2015, Chapter 1 , Pages 16-53