1. The digital dividend in Singapore and regional harmonisation
4/23/2017
The digital dividend in Singapore and regional harmonisation
By Aileen Chia
Deputy Director General (Telecoms & Post), IDA
17 July 2012

2. Agenda
Spectrum Management in Singapore
Digital Dividend
White Space

3. Spectrum management in Singapore
Spectrum is limited and valuable
IDA responsible for managing frequency spectrum in Singapore
Identifies usage of spectrum bands to best meet needs of end users (e.g. Radio Spectrum Master Plan)
In line with global and regional standards, market and technology trends
Ensures spectrum is efficiently allocated and utilised
Allocation via most economically efficient methods (e.g. auction)
Sets conditions for usage of spectrum
E.g., what it can be used for, minimum infrastructure deployment requirements etc

4. Spectrum Allocation Overview
4/23/2017
Spectrum Allocation Overview
International Level
Regional Level
National Level
Planning and application of spectrum nationally
Definition of the technical operating parameters (e.g. transmitter power) for the use of spectrum
Assignment of spectrum to licensees
International consensus on the allocation of radio frequency spectrum
Development of the Radio Regulations that governs the use of spectrum
Spectrum allocation will be based on 3 regions
Harmonisation and cross- border coordination
Spectrum band plan and channeling planning agreements

5. Based on ITU’s spectrum allocation framework & the emerging technology roadmap, IDA has identified all suitable spectrum
Whitespace
Mobile
(2G, 3G, 4G),
Wi-Fi
(2.4 GHz)
(5 GHz)
60 GHz

6. Spectrum management in Singapore
IDA’s spectrum management policies support the increasing demand for wireless broadband services
2005 – IDA auctioned off spectrum in 2.3 GHz and 2.5 GHz bands for WBA
2008 – Mobile operators allowed to deploy 3G services in 2G bands (i.e., 900/1800 MHz)
2010 – IDA allowed assignment of constrained frequencies in 2.5 GHz band under non-interference and unprotected conditions
2011 – Mobile operators allowed to deploy 4G services in 1800 MHz and 2.5 GHz bands
2012 – Conducted public consultation on proposed auction of spectrum for 4G services
Proposing to release up to 320 MHz of spectrum in 1800 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.5 GHz bands
By 2013 – To conduct auction of spectrum for 4G services

7. 4G spectrum auction Band 1800 MHz 2.3 GHz 2.5 GHz
4/23/2017
Band
1800 MHz
2.3 GHz
2.5 GHz
Expiry of existing rights
31 Mar 2017
30 Jun 2015
Proposed supply in auction
140 MHz
30 MHz
150 MHz (inclusive of 40 MHz below)
Set aside for new entrant
40 MHz
Licensed for
13 years
(till 30 June 2030)
15 years
Total: 320 MHz for auction (280 MHz for existing players, 40 MHz for new entrant)
Cap on winning amount to prevent excessive hoarding by any one player.
Must use spectrum to deploy 4G services
Technology neutral – so long as minimum speed and mobility requirements are met
Must have nationwide 4G systems and service coverage
After 1 year from allocation (excluding underground stations and tunnels)
After 3 year from allocation (all underground stations and tunnels)

8. About 1 GHz of licensed spectrum for wireless broadband
Type of Wireless Network
Frequency Band
Possible Technology
Spectrum Status
WAN
MHz
Discussion with neighbouring countries for WBA spectrum still on-going 4G
(WiMAX or LTE)
Ready by 2020
900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 / 2300 / 2500 MHz
(660 MHz) available 3G
900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 / (expire & re-farm in 2017, 2021)
2300 & 2500 MHz can already be used for 4G
3.4 – 3.6 GHz
(200MHz)
Can be allocated for 4G if standards & devices are available

9. More licensed-exempt spectrum for wireless services
Type of Wireless Network
Frequency Band
(all available)
Possible Technology
Spectrum Status
PAN
57 – 66 GHz
(all 9 GHz) c
or WiGig
Ready
3GHz – 10 GHz
(all 7 GHz)
UWB
LAN
802.11ad
5.4 GHz
(all 255 MHz)
Wi-Fi
2.4 GHz / 5.2 / 5.8 GHz
(all MHz)
LAN/MAN/
WAN
MHz
(all 218 MHz)
White Space
(Super Wi-Fi)
Projected ready by 2013
More than double the current amount of licensed-exempt spectrum for LAN/MAN/WAN and allowing Wi-Fi at more than twice today’s speed
About 10 GHz available for LAN (and MAN/WAN in white space)

10. Digital Dividend
Digital Transmissions make more efficient use of spectrum; spectrum freed up for WBA (commonly known as Digital Dividend)
IDA working closely with regional partners for the simulcast period and analogue switch off between 2015 – 2020
IDA supports APT 700 MHz band plan
To make available up to 2x45 MHz of spectrum for mobile broadband services
Subject to further discussions with regional partners
Guard Band
Base Receive
(Mobile Transmit)
Centre Gap
Base Transmit
(Mobile Receive)
5 MHz
45 MHz
10 MHz
3 MHz
698 MHz
703 MHz
748 MHz
758 MHz
803 MHz
806 MHz

11. Overview of White Space Technology
4/23/2017
Overview of White Space Technology
White Space Devices
Fixed Devices
Portable Devices
“White Space”
Parts of the television broadcast spectrum that are unused by licensed broadcasters
Access
White Space Access Methods
Spectrum Sensing
Geo-location Database
Key Considerations of White Space Technology
Co-exist with existing technologies
Detection before transmission over unused spectrum
No interference to licensed transmission
Self-manage and self-optimise

12. IDA CRAVE* Trials and beyond
*Cognitive Radio Venues
Nationwide Commercial Pilot
Singapore White Space Pilot Group
CRAVE Trial
Trial in progress
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
March 11
June 11
September 11
July 12
June 13

13. White Space – next steps
IDA intends to issue public consultation on key parameters necessary for a white space regulatory framework
Including the use of the geo-location database for Singapore.

14. Thank You

15. Cross-border Coordination
Cross-border coordination aims to pre-empt any mutual harmful interference between countries
Agreement to lay down the spectrum band plans & technical operating limits at the border areas
Frequency coordination with neighbouring countries:
FACSMAB - Frequency Assignment Committee for Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei; Monthly meeting with half-yearly Review meeting
BCCM - Border Communication coordination Meeting between Singapore and Indonesia; Half-yearly meeting with respective Operators participating in discussion on Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) issues
TCM - Trilateral Coordination Meeting between Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore; Half-yearly meeting

16. Back
Harmonised Channeling Plan for Wireless Broadband Service in 2.5/2.6 GHz
FACSMAB members re-planning taking into consideration of existing services operating in the band
Existing assignment based on 6MHz channeling plan that would not be optimized for emerging technologies such as WiMax and LTE
Harmonised and adopting CEPT’s band plan and channeling plan for wireless broadband services in 2./2.6Hz band
Enabling full band sharing in common border areas
Existing band plan
Harmonised Channeling Plan: 70MHz x 2 (FDD) & 50MHz (TDD)

17. Singapore White Space Pilot Group
Back
Singapore White Space Pilot Group
Vision, Mission and Aim:
To unlock the potential of white space technologies for supporting the future growth of communications in order to improve quality of life for people.
To accelerate white space adoption worldwide and boost the confidence of all stakeholders by promoting Singapore as a testbed for white space commercial pilots in the region.
To attract relevant parties to participate in this group
Founding Members
Microsoft, I2R and StarHub
Planned Trials
Location: Singapore Island Country Club
Application: Using white space technology to address Wi-Fi blind spots