BANKOK, THAILAND - The session convened a panel spanning manufacturers and operators, giving perspectives on current spectrum issues and sharing views on the potential of the APT 700MHz band.
Finding spectrum to satisfy the growing demand for mobile data is getting ever more difficult. Timely release of spectrum in the right combination of low and high frequency bands is required to achieve national coverage of both dense urban and rural areas. With LTE technology being used by some 150m subscribers, according to moderator Alan Hadden of GSA, and usage projected to increase 2.6bn by 2016, more spectrum will be needed fast. And a whole lot of it. So what is the solution Refarming of the current spectrum is one approach discussed by panelists
In Europe, SFR has already re-farmed its 900 MHz spectrum to 3G up to 99.3% of the population and is considering re-farming of the 1800 MHz to LTE, according to its Chief Frequency Officer Thomas Welter, whilst elsewhere it is well underway. Citing examples of refarming in Australia as well as the republic of Korea, Telstra is a firm advocate of spectrum refarming to extract optimal value, boosting connectivity, noting that “The underlying value of connectivity comes from spectrum, and I am a strong believer in modernizing and reusing spectrum,” said Mike Wright of Telstra.
Adoption of the APT700 MHz band plan represents a major new opportunity for regional and global spectrum harmonization that could deliver the benefits of economies of scale for end-user devices, and panelists were very positive about the opportunities that this would bring, with Goran Berntsen of Huawei noting the tremendous market opportunity it offered. For Margit Brandl of Nokia Siemens Networks, the appeal of the APT700 MHz band lies in its near-universal availability. “This is the first time that a technology in one band is available almost globally,” she said.
Exciting is also the level of integration of devices to meet the now-available spectrum, as any plans for dynamic spectrum optimization are worthless without devices to support them. Traditionally, a set up where device followed spectrum has existed, however the move into the APT700 MHz band has seen the pace of change accelerate and the industry as a whole respond much faster. Berntsen was very optimistic on the speed of device development and Wright noted that Telstra plans to start testing in early January 2014 and hopes to launch the devices before the spectrum.
The APT700 MHz band offers the opportunity for European bands to overlap with Asian and South American bands, tapping into a potential pool of in excess of 2bn people. Nevertheless, cautioned moderator Alan Hadden, we will need to build awareness; explain what the band is; create reliable information on what its options are; and explore best steps to build and grow an ecosystem. Cooperation with all players in the ecosystem will be essential, but if done well, the rewards will be great. “APT700 MHz (has potential) to be the biggest single spectrum band ecosystem in the world if we get it right,” said Mike Wright.
