The need to harmonize spectrum for mobile François Rancy Director, Radiocommunications Bureau, ITU

Contents Spectrum policy objectives and the role of ITU Benefits of harmonization for IMT The particular situation of the 700/800 MHz bands

Spectrum Policy objectives to meet the changing spectrum requirements of radiocommunication services, while Achieving proper balance between all these services Keeping a stable regulatory framework favouring long term investments in radiocommunication networks and services Taking advantage of international harmonisation

The role of ITU in spectrum Establish and update the international regulations on spectrum usage (Radio Regulations, Regional Agreements) Administer the procedures applied by Member States to aquire and maintain rights to use spectrum Develop global standards and best practices on spectrum usage Assist Administrations in using spectrum and deploying the most efficient radiocommunication networks

Need to harmonize spectrum for international mobile telecommunications Economies of scale Interoperability and roaming Spectrum efficiency Cross-border frequency coordination Success of GSM and 3G

Current trends for IMT 3G is meeting growing success, with data traffic rapidly exceeding networks capacity Historic bands (900 MHz, 1800 MHz) are in the process of refarming from 2G to 3G The only globally harmonized bands available for 4G to resolve this situation are the 700/800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands

The particular situation of the 700/800 MHz bands

The specifics of Broadcasting High power high tower to maximize coverage, often on top of mountains Also maximizes interference (typically up 200 km away) Requires careful frequency planning to avoid interference Problem is compounded by spectrum scarcity in border areas, where populations also want to receive the services from adjacent countries Cultural, political and social consequences International frequency planning is required

Spectrum Efficiency of DTV A single analog program of Standard definition can be broadcast on one transmission channel of 8 MHz bandwidth With latest technologies (e.g. DVB-T2 and MPEG4), the same transmission channel can broadcast one multiplex carrying up to 24 digital equivalent programs simultaneously, up to 6 in HD Single frequency networks further increase potential capacity/spectrum efficiency

International framework for DTV GE-06 Agreement between the 120 countries of Europe, Middle East and Africa GE-06 Plan provides for 7 planned frequencies in each area, hence the potential for 7 digital multiplexes in the band 470-862 MHz, free of interference May be modified by mutual agreement between all affected countries, by applying the Plan modification procedure Only usable without constraints after complete analog switch-off (June 2015) Analog switch-off is coupled with a change of frequency plan: « digital switchover »

Digital Dividend The digital dividend is the amount of spectrum made available by the transition of analogue television to digital. It may be used by broadcasting or mobile services, for the development of mobile broadband

Need for harmonisation of the digital dividend Economies of scale Interoperability and roaming Spectrum efficiency, equipment performance Avoid interference: Broadcasting into mobile base stations: 300 km separation required a national decision on digital dividend allocation cannot be implemented without prior regional harmonisation

Importance of regional harmonisation of digital dividend to avoid harmful interference (Example of Mobile service in France interfered by Broadcasting service of neighbouring countries)

International framework for the digital dividend WRC-07 has also allocated the band 790-862 MHz (channels 61 to 69 of the broadcasting Plan) to the Mobile Service in Europe, Africa and Middle East WRC-12 has done the same for the band 694-790 MHz (channels 49 to 60), subject to review by WRC-15 (« second digital dividend »). This makes its future use uncertain for broadcasting. These decisions leave the choice opened to administrations to decide to allocate any of these bands to mobile or to continue to use it for broadcasting.

International framework for the digital dividend The European Union has taken steps to harmonise the 800 MHz band for mobile from 2012 (« first digital dividend ») and is expected to do the same for the second digital dividend. Implementation of these decisions will require cooperation from adjacent non-EU countries. Eastern European countries have to rapidly take steps to avoid uncertainty on the future use of these bands and enjoy the benefits of international harmonization for 4G

Release of the digital dividend for mobile Release is not automatic. It requires: Regional cooperation/coordination decisions National Spectrum Allocation decisions Frequency coordination and replanning with neighbouring countries Refarming of existing services Licensing

Transition to digital TV and availability of digital dividend Switchover Analog Television XX% population End of Analog switch-off Digital dividend for BS X% population Analog television Digital dividend for MS Digital television Start of Analog switch-off Transitory frequency plan Target frequency plan

Need to coordinate frequencies Any change of frequency plan is costly and disruptive. Even more so when it is not planned in advance. GE-06 Plan modifications may take a long time if not properly coordinated Social, political and financial impact Need for prior coordination of frequencies with neighboring countries to avoid interference and disruptions.

Digital Transition and digital dividend Digital dividend is the output of Digital Switchover It has to be planned together with DSO to avoid any future disruptions and associated costs Avoiding DTV deployment in frequency bands identified for harmonised mobile service would avoid future disruptions Planning has to be undertaken at regional level

Digital Dividend - A national decision? To take the decision on Digital Dividend at the national level, it is important to take harmonization/coordination measures at the international level: Agree on a common allocation to the mobile service as part of the digital dividend Coordinate frequencies and technical characteristics of national television assignments in the band allocated to broadcasting, to enable transition to digital broadcasting and analog switch-off, hence release of digital dividend spectrum for both mobile and broadcasting. This involves renegotiating the GE-06 Agreement Harmonize the timing of transition from analogue to digital Resolve any remaining interference problems

Thank you for your attention! francois.rancy@itu.int