5G Regulatory Policy and Assignment Strategies
The introduction of 5G will require a reassessment of spectrum management best practice as the economics of the wireless industry are fundamentally changed.
The mobile industry, nearing its 40th anniversary, has seen consistent evolution and maturity alongside advancements in technology. Spectrum management regulations have also evolved in parallel, establishing a broad consensus on regulatory best practices. However, the advent of 5G introduces both evolutionary and revolutionary changes that demand a reassessment of spectrum management principles.
While enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) under 5G, primarily utilising existing infrastructure, represents an evolutionary step, the introduction of mmWave spectrum brings revolutionary changes. Small cell networks operating in high-capacity bands will transform the industry’s economics, necessitating regulatory policy shifts to facilitate timely network deployment, sustain or boost competition, and enable specialised industry-focused operators.
Anticipated socio-economic benefits of 5G hinge on adapting regulatory policy to accommodate the diverse needs emerging from high-density data requirements, the Internet of Things (IoT), and high-bandwidth services like massive machine-type communication (mMTC). These diverse use cases will likely prompt the emergence of varied spectrum license holders, each with distinct business models and spectrum demands.
This paper underscores critical regulatory policy objectives for 5G success, delves into the economic aspects of 5G investments, and outlines the implications for regulatory policies and spectrum assignment procedures. It briefly touches on licensing and network sharing, directing readers to further detailed resources available on Coleago’s website for in-depth exploration of these facets.
Other insights
The Polish 700 and 800 MHz Spectrum Auction: Insights and Global Lessons
Poland’s final low-band spectrum auction marks a pivotal moment in Europe’s 5G rollout, offering key lessons in auction design, cross-border coordination, and strategic spectrum management.
The Case for Strategic Spectrum Renewal
As spectrum licences approach their expiry date, a strategic approach to spectrum renewal is crucial. Traditional presumption of renewal in favour of incumbents may no longer serve the industry’s needs. Instead, a more strategic approach to renewal can optimise spectrum assignments and improve spectral efficiency by up to 40%.
Best Practice Spectrum Management
The principles of best practice spectrum management are well established and their implementation can enhance the socio-economic value of spectrum and how much operators are prepared to pay to acquire new spectrum. Whilst most regulators in developed markets have adopted best practice, the same cannot be said for developing markets. Coleago recently studied the regulatory environments in 16 African markets and recorded the extent to which best practice had been adopted.
Learning From Best Practice Spectrum Management in Botswana
The Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority conducted a review of its spectrum management strategy to align with international best practice. The Authority was advised by Coleago and in this paper, Project Director Graham Friend highlights the lessons to be learned for other regulators in developing markets.
The End of Telecoms History? – Not Quite!
At the European 5G conference, Stefan Zehle highlighted that differences in mobile data usage across countries result from variations in price and network availability. While European policymakers celebrate 89% 5G coverage, gaps in both outdoor and indoor connectivity limit usage. William Webb’s prediction that data traffic will plateau at 20 GB per user per month by 2027 seems unlikely, given that top users already exceed 100 GB. To fully realise 5G’s potential, policymakers must address these coverage issues in a cost-effective manner.
Insights from a Strategic Spectrum Review
The mobile industry has accumulated a fragmented spectrum portfolio, consisting of various frequency bands that are sub-optimally allocated for modern technologies like 4G and 5G. As operators transition from legacy technologies such as 2G and 3G to newer, bandwidth-intensive solutions, the need for contiguous spectrum blocks has become critical.
