1. 1. Cullen International SA 2017 Spectrum Policies for mobile broadband development Carolina Limbatto, Cullen International Citel-Osiptel Workshop on Digital Inclusion and Meaningful Broadband Adoption in the Americas April 17, 2017 Lima, Peru
2. 2. Cullen International SA 20172 Mobile broadband connectivity More spectrum, harmonised spectrum Mobile communications are an essential service with increasing applications and solutions supported by mobile networks: Wireless access to networks depends on access to radio spectrum. A harmonised spectrum allocation may help to boost mobile broadband deployment and use.
3. 3. Cullen International SA 20173 Spectrum for mobile broadband Status in the Americas Spectrum allocated and assigned to mobile services LTE offers Digital dividend (1st and 2nd) Spectrum awards in progress Importance of coverage and social obligations
4. 4. Cullen International SA 20174 Spectrum assignment in LTE bands Most countries auctioned AWS or 700 MHz * Brazil: only national licences ** United States: Licences from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon. 700 MHz spectrum band includes 6 MHz of unpaired spectrum
5. 5. Cullen International SA 20175 LTE Commercial offers in Latam 1800/1900 MHz also for 4G AWS and/or 700 MHz Also 1800/1900 MHz Also 2.5/2.6 GHz Movistar in 1900MHz AT&T and Telcel in AWS Altan in 700 MHz ICE in 2.5GHz Others in 1800 MHz AWS and 2.5 GHz 1900 MHz Personal 700 MHz: Copaco AWS: all operators but Personal Incumbents: 700 MHz and 2.5 GHz WOM: AWS 700 MHz, 2.6 GHz and 450 MHz CNT in 700 MHz and AWS Claro in AWS Movistar in 1900 MHz
6. 6. Cullen International SA 20176 Analog switch off Avoid interference, more spectrum available No need to wait until analog switch off to assign Digital Dividend 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2025 Mexico Costa Rica Brazil Ecuador Colombia Argentina Chile Paraguay Peru 2009 2012 Canada United States
7. 7. Cullen International SA 20177 Second digital dividend 600 MHz in the Americas Clock phase incentive auction to award 84 MHz in 600 MHz finished in Feb. 2017 Industry Canada announced that CA will also plan a incentive auction to migrate broadcasters from 600 MHz IFT stated that 600 MHz will be freed for mobile broadband Enacom mandate migration of broadcasters in 600 MHz to 12.2-12.7 GHz within 4 years
8. 8. Cullen International SA 20178 Mobile broadband coverage Coverage obligations No coverage obligations700 MHz: 92.2% pop. by Jan. 2022, 30% pop. by March 31, 2018 Main roads 450 MHz: Rural coverage obligations, coverage can be provided by use of any spectrum 2.5GHz: coverage obligations in cities with more than 30,000 by Dec. 2017 Incumbents: 2.6 GHz: 543 rural localities to be covered (181 for each MNO) 700 MHz: 1,281 rural localities and 13 routes (854km) AWS: 30 towns with low population within 30 months from spectrum assignment (Feb. 12, 2016). 700 MHz and AWS: towns and cities with over 500 population a 20 km radius from routes and roads Obligations set in spectrum auctions
9. 9. Cullen International SA 20179 Spectrum harmonisation Status in the Americas Benefits of spectrum allocation Spectrum bands used in the Americas The way forward
10. 10. Cullen International SA 201710 Economies of scale Lower de cost to produce handsets and mobile infrastructure equipment Incentives competition and innovation between vendors Interoperability and service portability International roaming, with the same handset a quality of service (i.e. access to mobile broadband) Cross-border interference Avoids services interferences in cross-border area Spectrum harmonisation Benefits
11. 11. Cullen International SA 201711 Mobile service in Latam Spectrum bands used References: * uses LTE technology; 5regional and local licences awarded Country Spectrum Band 700 MHz 850 MHz 900 MHz 900- 1700 MHz 1700- 2100 MHz 1800 MHz 1900 MHz 1900- 2100 MHz 2.1 GHz 2.5/2.6 GHz Argentina P* P5 O O P* O P5 O O O Brazil P* P5 P5 P 5 O P5 O P5 O P5* Chile P* P5 O O P* O P O O P* Colombia O P5 O O P* O P O O P* Costa Rica O P O O O P* O O P P* Ecuador P* P O O P* O P* O O O Mexico P* P5 O O P* O P5* O O O Peru P* P5 P5 O P* O P5* O O P Paraguay P P5 P O P* O P* O O P
12. 12. Cullen International SA 201712 The way forward on spectrum harmonisation 12 A wider harmonisation could boost American mobile market by reducing costs and increasing innovation Changing current and historic allocation could be costly and not aligned with national spectrum plans and strategies The Americas have a an opportunity of a more harmonised approach for new mobile technologies, experience in 700 MHz and AWS
13. 13. Cullen International SA 201713 Summary Spectrum for mobile broadband There were several spectrum awards in the Americas, still below ITUs recommendations Operators are using several LTE bands to provide mobile broadband More spectrum: 1st and 2nd digital dividend Benefits of spectrum harmonisation for new mobile broadband technologies
14. 14. Cullen International SA 201714