More flexibility and innovation for the next decade, but the regulator will still need to be mindful of the interests of incumbents
A new strategy to recognise a fast-changing market: Ofcom’s previous spectrum strategy dates back to 2014, and was meant to have a 10-year outlook prioritising the growing demand for mobile data services and the development of IoT/M2M. However, recognising the fast-moving nature of mobile technology and wireless innovation, only five years in Ofcom started seeking input on the strategy for the next decade. Early feedback stressed the need to make the framework for spectrum sharing more transparent, and to create ‘safe playgrounds’ for innovators to experiment in.
Ofcom listened to industry: On 19 July, Ofcom announced its new spectrum strategy, which is more supportive of spectrum sharing and of innovation. It pledges to facilitate local access, recognising the increasing importance of industrial use cases for private networks. Ofcom plans to ensure the availability of “spectrum for pioneers”, meaning that certain bands will be available for innovation before the long-term future use of that spectrum becomes certain. A practical example of this new approach is the decision to facilitate access to spectrum in the 100–200GHz range while it is still being used by Earth Exploration-Satellite Service. More broadly, the regulator will look to place greater emphasis on technology and service neutrality, including at the international level, and to ensure small companies are aware of the flexibility of technical conditions.
MNOs are broadly supportive, but urge a more cautious approach to sharing: The shift towards more sharing and local licences was perhaps inevitable given the developments of recent years, with evidence that 5G and IoT use cases can benefit from a more flexible approach to spectrum allocation and use. This was reflected in the stance taken by mobile operators in their response to the strategy. Operators broadly supported the objectives of the strategy, with some important caveats. BT noted that Ofcom needs to ensure that sharing and local licensing exceed the benefit that comes from providing national licences to national operators. Vodafone warned Ofcom not to conflate spectrum utilisation with spectrum efficiency, and to consider that higher-value applications may have longer investment cycles than opportunistic first-come-first-served uses. Telefonica noted that spectrum sharing needs to be considered a complementary tool to meet actual demand and should be seen as a ‘two-way street’ not to be focused only on mobile bands.
Source: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/supporting-uk-wireless-future
