Page 100 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Auction 107 C-Band Bidders Include AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Dish, Viasat,

Cable Companies

Nearly 75 entities have applied to bid in Auction 107, be issued by partial economic area bidder list that would likely use any
an auction of 280 MHz of coveted mid-band spectrum (PEA) and each license will include winnings for fixed wireless include
in the C-band between 3.7-3.98 GHz. The list of 20 MHz of spectrum. Spectrum in W.A.T.C.H. TV Company and Wisper
would-be C-band bidders reads like a “Who’s Who” the C-band should be especially ISP, both of whom are fixed wireless
of service providers and reportedly includes all major attractive to companies that won providers that were big winners in
mobile carriers, all major cable companies, Dish and licenses in the recent CBRS auction the 2018 Connect America Fund
Viasat, as well as numerous smaller companies. Many because that band is adjacent to the CAF II reverse auction, which
industry observers see mid-band spectrum providing C-band, which means that entities awarded funding to cover some of
the optimum mixture of coverage and range to support winning licenses in both bands the costs of deploying broadband
5G services, both mobile and fixed. About half the may be able to combine spectrum in unserved or underserved
applicants submitted incomplete applications—a to maximize speeds and capacity. rural areas. Perhaps the biggest
common occurrence in wireless auctions. But typically, Verizon was the biggest winner in surprise on the C-band bidder
the majority of those submitting incomplete applications the CBRS auction, but Dish, Charter, list was satellite operator Viasat.
eventually provide required missing information and Cox and Comcast also were big Rival satellite provider Dish has
move to the complete applications list. The C-band winners. Some companies plan to committed to building a mobile
auction is scheduled to start in December. Licenses will bid in the C-band auction under network, which might also support
unfamiliar names, but all three of fixed wireless. But I doubt that a
those cable companies reportedly mobile network is in Viasat’s plans,
have applied to bid in the auction. as it would be extremely difficult
Cable companies may use any to compete in that market. More
spectrum winnings to support their likely, Viasat is looking at providing
mobile offerings, which currently fixed wireless as an alternative to
rely in large part, on reselling its traditional satellite broadband
Verizon’s network. But at least one offering. Companies that submitted
cable company – Charter – is likely incomplete applications have until
to use any mid-band spectrum it November 2 to submit complete
wins for fixed wireless services. applications, according to an FCC
Other companies on the C-band public notice.

India Debates 5G Spectrum Allocation and Standards

The debate over India’s 5G future continues. fast wireless broadband services, as well, already underpinning 5G rollouts in many
India’s Department of Telecommunications of course, as having 5G standards backing countries. Even if it were only used within
(DoT) has reportedly asked the government from the ITU. This development is also part India, a purely India-centric 5G radio
to free up 3000 MHz in the 26GHz-28GHz of a long-running saga in which India’s standard would mean hardware changes
band for 5G. Meanwhile, operator Reliance Department of Space (DoS) has staked a in base stations and mobile devices,
Jio has indicated its support for a home- claim on the 26GHz frequency range. But with all the additional cost that implies.
grown 5G standard. The DoT is not alone could ITU standards be sidestepped in As for other countries, whether the first
in its request for operators to have access India? Reliance Jio has backed a country- Indian IPR in the global 5G arena would
to airwaves in the 26GHz-28GHz band. specific 5G standard proposed by the have a meaningful impact on markets
There have been urgent requests from Telecom Standards Development Society, outside India is a reasonable question.
industry for spectrum in this band, in part India (TSDSI), with all that implies for a Nevertheless Jio seems to be planning to
inspired by 5G standards approval for potential Indian 5G IPR. Rival operators go ahead with its 5G technology, likely to
the 26GHz band from the International Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea are not be ready for field deployment next year,
Telecommunication Union (ITU). For impressed, pointing out that the TSDSI’s when, in theory, 5G spectrum will be finally
operators, the appeal of the 26-28GHz 5G specifications aren’t interoperable be auctioned after a number of delays.
band is clear: it is seen as ideal for ultra- with the globally defined 3GPP standards

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