Managing spectrum as a key resource

Qualcomm’s SVP for government affairs Bill Bold recently hosted a webinar in which he described the benefits of spectrum planning globally. With on-going issues surrounding the choice and availability of LTE spectrum in different parts of the world, organising spectrum resources has assumed an even more significant role, and national regulators would do well to ensure their domestic policies fall in line with international norms

Mobile is the biggest platform of all time, with 5.9 billion wireless connections currently in existence worldwide today. In recent years the mobile communications industry has been propelled to greater heights by the increase in computing power of the devices, with Strategy Analytics estimating that mobile data traffic over wireless networks doubled in 2010, and is set to increase between 10 and 12 times between 2010 and 2015.

Bill Bold identified the trends driving data growth around the world as including 3G subscriber growth, smartphone penetration, broadband connectivity, and the shift to cloud computing.

“Operators need new spectrum, new real estate, in order to absorb growth in data traffic,” Bold said. “The continuing evolution of the 3G standard is helping to increase capacity and performance, and it should be noted that standards are dynamic, they are constantly being worked on and improved.”

Addressing data demand growth is an industry challenge that can be overcome utilising a number of strategies including evolution to 3G in order to increase capacity and performance; freeing up 2G spectrum for more efficient 3G; and the allocation of more spectrum. The boosting of data capacity with larger frequency blocks for LTE would be another way to address data demand, as would bringing the network closer to the end-user, in the form of femtocells.

The evidence that mobile voice and Internet broadband connectivity increases a country’s gross domestic product growth rate is a point that Bold believes should make governments more interested ensuring their ICT sectors have the necessary framework and resources to develop.

The success of mobile data in Saudi Arabia, for example, is a clear indication that such trends are not restricted to the most mature telecom markets, and with sufficient investment and focus, can also be achieved in other parts of the world. Data accounts for more than 20 per cent of mobile service revenues in Saudi Arabia, and the kingdom ranks as the number one country in the world in terms of access to YouTube over mobile.

Within the Middle East and North Africa region, Bold identified UMTS900 spectrum as being the driver to increase mobile broadband affordability and enhance the broadband experience; while LTE800 spectrum has digital dividend implications in the region, which is crucial for growth.

Bold also explains that the award and alignment of LTE2600 spectrum with the European Conference on Postal and Telecommunications (CEPT) band plans is important for economies of scale and optimal LTE performances, while countries such as Algeria and Libya are still to benefit from the licensing of 3G.

The L-band (1.5GHz) supplementary downlink spectrum currently lies idle in most countries and Bold believes it represents a unique opportunity for innovation in new business models and applications.

“Africa is a continent with a population of one billion, and I believe broadband can play a similar development role there as in India,” Bold said. Broadband penetration in Africa stands at approximately four per cent, with wireless subscriber growth averaging approximately 4.5 million additions per month, with an average of 1.7 million 3G subscribers added each month.

There is limited wire line availability on the continent, which means that access to broadband connectivity will continue to be wireless, with spectrum being a key factor with respect to both capacity and rural coverage.