Spectrum, mobile & wireless update April 2017

Ofcom confirmed plans to award new mobile spectrum in the 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands in its 2017/18 Annual Plan. Ofcom will also start work on preparing an auction for the 700 MHz band, prepare to make spectrum available for 5G (focusing on options to make all or part of the 26 GHz band available for 5G in the UK) and explore spectrum sharing opportunities.

Ofcom also published a new consultation on mobile phone repeaters, exploring options to allow consumers to operate static mobile phone repeaters intended for indoor use and low gain mobile phone repeaters intended for in-vehicle (in-car) use on a licence-exempt basis. At present, the use of a mobile phone repeater is only authorised if it is supplied and operated under the control of a mobile network operator. The use of consumer (self) installed repeaters is unlawful.

In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the results of its auction of 70 MHz of licenced spectrum below 1 GHz; making this “low band” spectrum available for mobile broadband will ease network congestion and provide a foundation for the development of 5G services. Among the largest winners were T-Mobile, Dish, Comcast and US Cellular. Also see commentaries from Ars Technica, Network World and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF).

The FCC also published a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (more here) seeking comments on ways “to identify and address unnecessary regulatory barriers to wireless infrastructure deployment”, in recognition of the importance of ensuring that the regulatory framework recognises that “current and next-generation wireless broadband have the potential to bring enormous benefits to the U.S., supporting millions of jobs and billions of dollars in investment.” Network World reported that the FCC has set up a new web portal to fast track the granting of experimental licenses for 5G spectrum.

Verizon announced a three-year minimum purchase agreement with Corning Incorporated to provide fibre optic cable and associated hardware for Verizon to provide coverage and capacity for its nationwide wireless broadband network. The agreement calls for Corning to provide and Verizon to purchase up to 20 million kilometres (12.4 million miles) of optical fibre each year from 2018 through 2020, with a minimum purchase commitment of $1.05 billion. Also see commentaries from Ars Technica and CCS Insight.

Other spectrum, mobile and wireless developments this month:

• OpenSignal published its latest findings on the state of UK mobile networks, analysing how 4G and 3G availability and data speeds vary across the country. The study found significant improvements in 4G availability; EE was the first UK operator to pass OpenSignal’s 70% signal availability threshold in the tests.
• RootMetrics published data on 4G coverage and performance by operator across the UK’s most populated metro areas.
• The City of London Corporation announced a new 15 year contract with Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd in partnership with O2 to deliver a free, public access WiFi network, offering internet access anywhere within the Square Mile.
• Out-Law reported that Singapore’s mobile network operators will begin shutting down 2G networks from 1st April 2017.
• ISP Review reported that Boundless Networks is to deploy its microwave broadband network in more areas of Craven in North Yorkshire, including Cononley, Silsden and parts of Skipton.
• BBC News reported how public wi-fi providers in Germany could be held liable for illegal downloads.
• CCS Insight considered how the advent of 5G services will require mobile network operators to rethink the mobile data plans they offer to consumers and businesses, in terms of the volumes of data that can be downloaded.
• Network World reported on WiFi spectrum developments: the issues involved in continuing to support devices operating at 2.4 GHz, current developments in the allocations within the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and the focus of the Wi-Fi Now event in the U.S.A. on the need for better, faster, denser and farther reaching Wi-Fi.
• Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) announced it had achieved gigabit speeds in a fixed wireless demonstration conducted in Ballarat, Victoria using 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz spectrum. Speeds of 1.1Gbit/s downstream and 165Mbit/s upstream were achieved by using carrier aggregation technology that fused seven carriers in the 3.4GHz spectrum band and four carriers in the 2.3GHz spectrum band.
• Ofcom published a new consultation om proposals to make new regulations by statutory instrument that would enable airline passengers to use mobile devices (with 2G, 3G and 4G technologies) on aircraft, if certain standards and requirements are met, without the need for a wireless telegraphy licence; Ars Technica and Network World both reported that the FCC has dropped a plan to allow voice calls during flights.