Caribbean Internet Forum 2008 Mobile Internet for Development Spectrum Issues Related to the Mobile Internet Presented By Kirk Sookram Resource Planning and Management Engineer, Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean Internet Forum 2008 Mobile Internet for Development Spectrum Issues Related to the Mobile Internet Presented By Kirk Sookram Resource Planning and Management Engineer, Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago 29 th – 31 st October, 2008

2 Overview  What is Spectrum?  The Management of Spectrum.  Spectrum and Mobility.  Key Spectrum Issues related to the Mobile Internet.

3 What is Spectrum? Radio frequency spectrum (more commonly called Spectrum) is defined as a continuous range of electromagnetic wave frequencies generated by a radio transmitting device and, based on wireless technologies today, the current useful ranges between 9 kHz and 275 GHz

4 What is Spectrum? (cont’d…) Some key characteristics:  A unique natural resource.  A finite resource.  Can be ‘polluted’.  Has an intrinsic economic value.

5 The Management of Spectrum  Spectrum management needed to ensure the effective and efficient utilization of this resource.  An entity is established to manage the spectrum resource.  From a global perspective, the management of radio spectrum towards ensuring ‘harmful’ interference free operation amongst neighbouring countries is led by the International Telecommunications Union, Radiocommunications Bureau (ITU-R).

6 Spectrum and Mobility  Spectrum is the medium for mobility as wireless technologies employ spectrum for the transmission and reception of information.  There are different levels of mobility:  Limited mobility (nomadicity); and  Full mobility (ubiquitous communication).  Limited mobility – WiFi  Full mobility – IMT (e.g. HSPA, CDMA 2000 EVDO, Mobile WiMAX)

7 Spectrum Issues Related to the Mobile Internet Key issues:  The allocation of spectrum for Mobile Internet.  Technology neutrality.  The economic value of spectrum.  The assignment of spectrum.

8 Spectrum Allocation for Mobile Internet  The identification of spectrum that can be used by Administrations to implement International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in Region 2:  806 – 960 MHz;  1710 – 2025 MHz;  2110 – 2200 MHz;  2500 – 2690 MHz;  450 – 470 MHz;  698 – 806 MHz; and  2300 – 2400 MHz.

9 Spectrum Allocation for Mobile Internet (cont’d)  Re-farming of spectrum where spectrum users currently exist.  Quantum of spectrum needed per Operator to provide Mobile Internet.  Availability of affordable technologies in available frequency ranges.

10 Technology Neutrality  Should the most appropriate technology be specified to be used or should the Operators be allowed to choose the technology themselves?  Should preference be given to new technologies as older technologies tend to be less spectrally efficient?  Should spectrum be reserved for the next ‘Big’ technology or should it be all assigned now for use?

Trials Rollout WiMAX Rollout Early Adopters LTE Demos Trials Rollout Early Adopters UMB Demos Trials Projected 4G Evolution Timeline Overlay, Migration or Greenfield IEEE WiMAX e IS-95 UMB DO Rev A DO Rev 0 3GPP2 4G MIMO-OFDM 3G CDMA 2G CDMA LTE HSDPA UMTS R99 3GPP Overlay, Migration or Greenfield HSPA GPRS EDGE 1xRTT 2G GSM 3G W-CDMA 4G MIMO-OFDM WiMAX m Mobile Wireless Access Technology Road Map Source: NeoTelis – Mobile WiMAX Planning and Design Course

12 Economic Value of Spectrum  Should the cost to the Operator for use of the spectrum be determined by the market through a competitive authorization process?  In order to promote developmental goals, the spectrum may be offered at minimal cost to the Operator with specific conditions of use.

13 Assignment of Spectrum  Assignment methods:  First-come, first served process.  Competitive process:  Comparative evaluation.  Auction.  The most appropriate method should be determined based on policy objectives and market considerations.

14 Thank You!