Page 149 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

pointed to the advantage of deploying 5G in the bands density areas, it aims to allow existing fixed link users to
for faster speeds and greater capacity in crowded areas, continue with current activities. Other users of the band,
citing transport hubs, busy streets and entertainment it added, are expected to co-exist with 5G and other
venues. Ofcom noted it could also enable high-speed mobile services. Ofcom explained the 40GHz band
fixed wireless access services in hard to reach areas had been allocated in 2008 with Hutchinson 3G UK,
and be deployed in private networks for applications Mobile Broadband Network, and MLL 40GHz holding
including factory automation and smart agriculture. In the licenses. However, the trio are not allowed to deploy
the UK, the 26GHz band is already used for fixed point- mobile services in the band and currently use it for fixed
to-point links; a satellite earth station; level crossing links. The regulator’s consultation provides a number
radars used by railway operators; ultra-wideband of options for the 40GHz band, from changing existing
radar; a range of short-range devices; and for special licenses to clearing and reallocating it. Alongside
events. Ofcom added the UK Ministry of Defence also general views on allocation for mobile use, interested
has access to the band but currently doesn’t have parties have also been invited to make comments on
a use for it. The consultation outlines an ambition to a potential auction format, competition considerations
offer a range of very local and city-wide licenses for and license lengths. The consultation closes on 18 July
the 26GHz band. In high density usage areas where 2022 with a provisional timescale of making spectrum
fixed link licenses are already active, Ofcom plans to available by 2024.
issue a five year notice period to revoke them. In low (May 9, 2022) mobileworldlive.com

In an official statement issued by the White House, the top 100 markets for Auction 107 (3.7GHz). The
President Biden and Vice President Harris have 3.45GHz auction generated gross proceeds exceeding
announced that they have secured private sector USD22.5 billion. FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel
commitments that will lower fixed broadband costs commented: ‘Building on the success of this auction,
United for millions of American families. The statement we are hard at work preparing for the 2.5GHz auction
starting in July. Our continued focus on making mid-
explains: ‘The Biden-Harris Administration has secured
States commitments from 20 leading internet providers band spectrum available illustrates our commitment to
– covering more than 80% of the US population the broad availability of 5G in the United States.’ (May 6,
across urban, suburban, and rural areas – to either 2022) commsupdate.com
increase speeds or cut prices, making sure they all
offer Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)-eligible The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has
households high speed, high-quality internet plans for no removed 19 licenses from its Auction 108 inventory,
more than USD30 per month … From large providers like after establishing that the list published on 21 March
AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon serving dozens of states, list did not account for all ‘cancelled, terminated or
to smaller providers serving rural areas like Jackson expired licenses that were granted waivers for late-filed
Energy Authority in Tennessee and Comporium in North renewals’. Further, the watchdog issued the following
Carolina, the commitments will allow tens of millions of warning to prospective bidders: ‘We remind interested
ACP-eligible households to receive high speed internet parties to conduct their own due diligence regarding
at no cost.’ licenses available in Auction 108. We note, in particular,
(May 10, 2022) commsupdate.com that there will be a substantial number of licenses
in inventory where the amount of unassigned area or
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has unassigned spectrum is very small.’ As previously
granted 4,041 flexible-use licenses for mobile services reported by CommsUpdate, Auction 108 will include
in the 3.45GHz band to the winning bidders in Auction 5G-suitable spectrum in the 2496MHz-2690MHz
110, which closed in January. The FCC notes that 13 of (2.5GHz) band and get underway on 29 July. The auction,
the 23 companies with winning bids qualified as small which will utilize an ‘ascending clock’ format, will offer
businesses or as entities serving rural communities. approximately 8,000 new flexible-use, county-based
In addition, compared to the prior 5G auction of overlay licenses. These concessions cover mostly rural
spectrum in the 3.7GHz band, this auction saw a areas, with the spectrum unassigned following a Rural
substantial increase in the number of winning bidders Tribal Priority Window, which resulted in the grant of
per market: over one-third of the top 100 markets have 335 licenses to serve Tribal communities. (April 20, 2022)
at least four winning bidders, compared with 10% of commsupdate.com

149 MAY-JUNE 2022