RSPG OPINION on WIRELESS ACCESS POLICY FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

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RSPG OPINIONonWIRELESS ACCESS POLICY FOR
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
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WAPECS - A more flexible spectrum management
approachIsolde GogginChairperson of COMREG,
Ireland, andRSPG Rapporteur on WAPECS
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Outline of Presentation

• Introduction role of the RSPG
• Background what drove this approach?
• The WAPECS Concept
• Survey of Member States on WAPECS Frequency Bands
• The Public Consultation
• The Opinion of the RSPG

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The Radio Spectrum Policy Group

• High level group assist and advise Commission on
  radio spectrum policy issues
• Adopts opinions addressed to Commission
• To date digital switchover, spectrum trading,
  and now WAPECS
• RSPG deals with high-level strategy RSCOM
  adopts technical implementation measures
• Keeps a web page at http//rspg.groups.eu.int/

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BACKGROUNDWhat drove this approach?

• Rapid technology change gt explosion in demand
  for spectrum
• Increasing Service Convergence
• Need for faster, more flexible spectrum access
• EU Policy to Encourage Innovation
• Moves in some MS to Spectrum Trading

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Definition of WAPECS

• WAPECS is a framework for the provision of
  electronic communications services (ECS) within a
  set of frequency bands to be identified and
  agreed between European Union Member States in
  which a range of ECS may be offered on a
  technology and service neutral basis, provided
  that certain technical requirements to avoid
  interference are met, to ensure the effective and
  efficient use of the spectrum, and the
  authorisation conditions do not distort
  competition

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• Topics to be considered
• Harmonisation v flexibility
• Big bang v natural attrition v phased approach
• Industrial policy v consumer policy
• Services of general interest e.g. broadcasting

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• The WAPECS concept

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(No Transcript)
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RSPG Survey of Member Stateson WAPECS Candidate
Bands

• Survey examined
• Frequency bands
• Broadcasting (Terrestrial and Satellite)
• Land Mobile (PMR, PAMR, GSM, 3G)
• Fixed links (P2P P2MP)
• Short Range Devices
• Licensing approaches
• Rights that apply
• Obligations that apply
• Entry fees
• Spectrum related challenges

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Public Consultation - 1

• Views were sought on
• Proposed definition of WAPECS
• What constraints, if any, should there be on
  spectrum used primarily for broadcasting?
• What specific rules should be applied to
  safeguard delivery of Services of General
  Economic Interest (SGEI)?
• What impact will there be on standardisation?
• What other challenges should the RSPG consider?
• Were the proposed steps to achieve the European
  objectives for WAPECS adequate?

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Public Consultation - 2

• 37 responses received from a wide range of
  respondents
• Some Results
• WAPECS definition acceptable
• Scope of WAPECS needed to be better defined
• WAPECS should include both public and private
  applications
• Delivery of SGEI must be safeguarded
• Harmonised use of spectrum important for
  broadcasting and other services where economies
  of scale, roaming and interoperability are
  important
• Transition to WAPECS regime should be
  evolutionary, not revolutionary
• Relationship to spectrum trading and
  liberalisation issues also seen as a key point

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The Opinion - 1

• EU Context
• Contribution of Spectrum to Lisbon Agenda/i2010
• Importance of broadband for business and
  citizenconsumers
• Influence of Convergence
• Old style separate fixed/mobile/broadcasting
  spectrum
• Now services provided over different access
  networks competing with each other
• WAPECS to facilitate converged services and
  foster innovation and growth

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The Opinion 2Identified constraints

• Legacy issues arising from existing fees
  structure conditions
• Lack of flexibility international agreements,
  long licence durations, no change of use in
  harmonised bands
• Excess of technological prescription in some
  licences
• Use of bands by services pursuing general
  interest objectives (broadcasting, emergency,
  etc)
• Use of bands by non-ECSs (protection) (emergency)

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The Opinion 3Challenges for Member States

• Ensure enough spectrum to meet demand, without
  picking winners or jeopardising SGEI
• Increasing flexibility and enhancing
  harmonisation
• Maintaining a stable and predictable regulatory
  framework
• Avoiding fragmentation consider effect of
  reduced constraints on harmonised bands
• Facilitating standardisation through harmonised
  set of technical requirements
• Identifying transition arrangements to deal
  smoothly with legacy issues and share burden
  equitably

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The Opinion 4 Long-term policy goals

• Facilitate rapid access to spectrum for new
  technologies to promote competitiveness and
  innovation
• Ensure a coherent authorisation scheme
• Technology neutrality within technical
  constraints to avoid interference.
• Service neutrality i.e. Electronic Communications
  Services (Framework Directive)

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The Opinion 5Transition to a WAPECS framework

• Big bang disruption/uncertainty for all
  players (including NRAs)
• Natural attrition change licences on expiry -
  slow, penalises new entrants and consumers
• Phased approach implementation packages with
  target dates.

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The Opinion 6Action Points

• MS and RSCOM invited to identify
• Suitable bands for WAPECS
• Constraints (technical or other)
• Measures to improve coherence of authorisation
  and specify technical requirements for
  implementation of WAPECS in those bands
• Define implementation packages and actions
• First implementation phase
• Identify suitable bands for short term and agree
  schedule for implementation
• Report back to RSPG on any difficulties

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• Thank you
• Questions?

WAPECS - A more flexible spectrum management
approach