Telecoms industry analysis, commentary, and research by Coleago’s expert team of directors and consultants.
Aimed at telecoms regulators and operators, a review of key global developments, insights, trends, and best international practices, to inform future spectrum policy and management and operator strategies.
In many countries the process of introducing new technology in existing frequency bands is delayed because spectrum is not licensed on a technology-neutral basis. Indeed some countries have not learned the lesson from a delayed introduction of 3G and 4G and are now repeating the same mistake for 5G.
Many regulators are pursuing the goal of increasing mobile broadband coverage. The award of new spectrum offers regulators an opportunity to increase existing coverage levels. In this paper, Graham Friend explores the key challenges associated with this strategy.
A spectrum roadmap can play a key part in realising the efficient use of spectrum and promoting investment and innovation. A spectrum roadmap is one of the most significant things a regulator can do to plan how best to allocate spectrum resources and reduce regulatory uncertainty.
In this paper, we consider regulatory approaches to the assignment of mmWave spectrum. The abundance of mmWave spectrum means that demand may not exceed supply and so an auction format may not be the appropriate approach. Regulators need to be flexible over their choice of award mechanism and less prescriptive or demanding in their choice of licence conditions.
In a number of markets, governments are working together with the regulator and mobile operators to address coverage “black spots” and deep rural coverage. This new paper explores some of the approaches being adopted.
Whether or not a 5G business case is workable depends on how much operators have to pay for spectrum licences. 5G requires more spectrum but generates little or no incremental revenue. Regulators need to assess the sustainability of spectrum licence fees by comparing the annualised cost of spectrum to mobile operator revenue. The methodology is easy to apply and only relies on data specific to a particular market.
The Tanzanian telecommunications regulator recently concluded a successful spectrum auction which reflected all the key elements of best practice spectrum management. Coleago advised TCRA and in this paper, we highlight the key factors that contributed to the success of the auction.
5G has captured the imagination of policymakers but there is a gap between the political rhetoric and telecoms regulatory action to achieve mobile broadband and 5G policy objectives. With mobile operators and equipment vendors sounding cautious about the business case for 5G, a change in government policy is needed to stimulate investment.
The introduction of 5G will require a reassessment of spectrum management best practice as the economics of the wireless industry are fundamentally changed.
National Regulatory Authorities are in competition with each other to attract international investment and need to take a strategic and flexible approach to regulation in an era of rapid telecommunications change.