Page 91 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Arcep Reveals 700MHz Spectrum Winners in Three Overseas Territories

French telecoms regulator Arcep has revealed that the main EUR2,000 respectively), while Orange walked away with 2×10MHz
auction for the allocation of spectrum in the 700MHz band in (EUR11,051). Regarding Saint-Martin, Orange secured 2×10MHz in
French Guiana, Saint Barthelemy and Saint-Martin has now been the 700MHz band (EUR11,051), while Dauphin Telecom and Free
concluded. Regarding French Guiana, four operators participated were granted 2×5MHz each (EUR24 and EUR2,000 respectively).
in the tender, those being Digicel, Free Caraibe, Orange Caraibe Digicel failed to secure any 700MHz spectrum in both Saint
and Outremer Telecom (SFR). The four candidates have each been Barthelemy and Saint-Martin. Further, Arcep revealed that Free
allocated one of the four 2×5MHz blocks in the 700MHz band which Mobile will be allocated 2×4.8MHz in the 900MHz band in Saint
will be awarded in return for agreeing to fulfil commitments set out Barthelemy; Free Mobile and Orange qualified to participate in
by the procedure. Digicel and Orange also secured an additional an auction for the spectrum in December 2022, but following the
2×5MHz in the band for EUR1.80 million (USD1.98 million) each. latest allocations in the 700MHz band Orange has exceeded the
A total of four companies bid for 5G-suitable frequencies in the cap on low band spectrum holdings and is therefore excluded. The
700MHz band in Saint Barthelemy, namely: Dauphin Telecom, exact position of the blocks will be subject to an auction, which will
Digicel, Free Mobile and Orange Caraibe. Dauphin Telecom and take place in Q2 2023.
Free Mobile have each secured 2×5MHz in the band (for EUR24 and

3.5GHz Spectrum Policy Opposed by Airport, Port

Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and the Port of Rotterdam Authority at the lower and upper end of the band (3400MHz-3450MHz and
have filed legal actions against the government’s 5G 3.5GHz 3750MHz-3800MHz) for local wireless applications. However,
spectrum policy, arguing for more bandwidth to be guaranteed as reported by local website Dutch IT Channel, both the Port of
for their private/industrial local networks. The plaintiffs disagree Rotterdam and Schiphol fear that the ‘first come, first served’
with details of the Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate Policy policy for distributing the latter spectrum could prevent them from
(MEACP’s) plans for distributing the 3.5GHz band to mobile securing their required bandwidth. The Port argues specifically that
network operators and private/industrial local spectrum users. At the frequencies reserved for parties other than telecom companies
the end of February, the MEACP amended the National Frequency are of lower quality, which could disrupt its development of 5G
Plan to pave the way for 3.5GHz 5G allocations by December 2023, facilities to support autonomous ships and data processing via IoT
with a 300MHz tranche of national spectrum ringfenced for mobile sensors in the port, among other applications.
operators, alongside a ‘provisional’ allocation of two 50MHz blocks

US 5G Group Pushes for Mid-Band Plan

Chris Pearson, president of 5G Americas, cautioned mid-band potential mid-band frequencies for 5G. It noted there are currently
spectrum allocation in the US was approaching a critical tipping no suitable allocation plans in the works. 5G Americas argued this
point due to a lack of a long-term national plan, which could impact is a concern because it takes several years to identify, allocate and
the development of services and applications. The industry trade repurpose spectrum. In a blog, Peterson noted mid-band offers a
organization released a whitepaper outlining the use of several “sweet spot” between coverage and capacity and a long-term
national spectrum plan is “paramount for economic and technology
leadership”. The organization highlighted a need for greater
spectrum efficiency and flexibility to meet soaring demand for
mobile data. It cited Ericsson Mobility Report data showing global
demand at 90 exabytes per month at end-2022 and estimating the
figure to be growing 40 per cent each year. Pearson wrote there are
specific challenges for each of the current and planned US mid-
band deployments for commercial uses spanning 2.5GHz, CBRS,
3.7GHz to 3.98GHz C-band, and 3.45GHz to 3.55GHz. The trade
organization argued spectrum plans should prioritize availability of
lower frequencies in the mid-band range. It also stated the US
Federal Communications Commission and the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration should work
with the industry to oversee spectrum allocations.

91 MARCH-APRIL 2023