Planning & Licensing in Viet Nam

Spectrum for 4GLe Van TUAN

Deputy Director GeneralARFM

Outline

1. Spectrum License in Present2. Spectrum Plan for 4G3. Licensing for 4G

Overview on Viet Nam’s Mobile Market

05

101520253035

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

3G

subs

(mil)

Source: White Book 2014

3G market share

Mobile market share

2G Band Licenses850/900 MHz bands

Different license expiry dates

CDMA → WCDMA GSM

09/2016

06/2023

01/2018

05/201506/2015

2G Band Licenses1800 MHz bands

06/2015 05/2015

01/2018

09/2023Different license expiry dates

GSM

3G Band Licenses2100 MHz bands

- To deployed 3G system through beauty contest

- Licenses expire in 2024

- ITU-R SG 5D is considering to include MSS band to IMT terrestrial band

WCDMA

Spectrum plans for 4G

• Harmonization• Refarming existing systems is feasible• Enough bandwidth for operators

General Principles

Realizations

• The 2.3 & 2.6 GHz bands are ready to use

• Allow use of 2G bands for IMT

• Digital dividend band (700MHz) to be for IMT (Refarming start after WRC-2007 and band to be available in most parts of the country by 2018)

Future 4G’s bands plan2.3 / 2.6 GHz bands

The 2.3 & 2.6 GHz bands are ready to be used (refarming started from 2000)

The 2.6 GHz band will be auctioned first

The 2.3 GHz band will be auctioned later

Detail auction rules, requirements and time are under consideration

Refarming 2G bands for MBB

• New Regulation (Circular 04/2015/TT-BTTTT) in Mar 10th :

• Allow 2G licensees to deploy IMT/IMT-Advanced in 850/900/1800 MHz

• 850/900MHz refarming tech: HSPA/WCDMA

• 1800MHz refarming tech: LTE/LTE-Advanced

Digital Dividend700 MHz band

Digital Dividen

Promote TV digitalization to release of 700 MHz band for IMT

- Strong support from the Government (refarming started after WRC-07)- Tight collaboration with all provinces & broadcasters- Nationwide propagation program to advocate for DTT’s plan and benefit

Review 700/800MHz Band Plan

Considering APT700 / CEPT800 MHz / 850MHz band plan for IMT

4G Spectrum Licensing Plan

• General Principle:• Provide spectrum at the right time to address market needs• Handset economies of scale

• Coming Licensing:• Spectrum auction of 2.6 GHz band• 1 800 MHz band:

• Allow trial in 2015 • Allow commercially deployment in 2016

Spectrum Auction

• 2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz bands ready• 2.6 GHz band is auctioned first

• APT 700 MHz could be after 2017, subject refarming and market demand• Potential bidders must be from FBO • Bidders must satisfy “minimum requirement”

Summary

• Migration from 2G to MBB starts• Operators allowed to deploy MBB in their 2G spectrum, including LTE• Coverage bands (<1GHz) are put forward to bring MBB to rural areas• LTE commercial deployment envisaged in 2016

• 290 MHz available to use for 4G• APT 700 MHz band will be available in coming years• Review 700 MHz, 800/850 MHz, 900 MHz bands plan to maximize the

benefit of MBB• Timing a new band license depends on handset availability &

affordability, market demand

Thank you for your attention !

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