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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. The particular situation of the 700/800 MHz bands

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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 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 »

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. International framework for the digital dividend
WRC-07 has also allocated the band 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 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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

21. Thank you for your attention!