RSPG/BEREC event Brussels, 11 November 2014 Towards best practice in spectrum use in the EU Peter Stuckmann (Head of Sector Spectrum Policy) Electronic Communications Networks and Services Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT), European 1
The EU Spectrum Policy Perspective European Spectrum managed at national level and coordinated Bilaterally At European level: EU (policy); CEPT (technical coexistence) At global level: ITU (UN body, mainly technical coexistence) EU coordination where EU interests are at stake internal market (economies of scale, interoperability) sector policies (broadband, transport, health, environment, space) public services (broadcasting, PPDR, security, defence) efficient spectrum use to maximise benefits at EU level coordination of EU position in international negotiations Goal: Coordinated access to spectrum in support of EU policy 2
Spectrum for Wireless Broadband Recent emphasis on allocating sufficient and appropriate spectrum for Wireless Broadband Services (RSPG13-531rev1) 1200 MHz RSPP target Refarming (e.g. Digital Dividend, 700 MHz, etc.) Licensed-shared access (sharing with incumbent services, e.g. 2.3 GHz) Need also to ensure efficient spectrum assignment Pre-condition for accruing the potential socio-economic benefits through digital services provided over WBB networks Efficient spectrum awards Authorisation and license conditions ensuring efficient use 3
Non-technical usage conditions Non-technical conditions determined by license conditions and relevant provisions of national law Influence the service quality characteristics that service providers are able to provide Linked to future system requirements Promote the efficient use of spectrum and avoid underutilisation Usable block size (towards 20-100MHz block sizes?) Territorial coverage obligations Technical performance characteristics Possibility or right to rely on spectrum sharing and spectrum trading other 4
Legal basis in RSPP: efficient use of spectrum Article 3(a) - policy principle "efficient management and use of spectrum to best meet the increasing demand for use of frequencies reflecting the important social, cultural and economic value of spectrum" Article 4(5) - requirements with regard to authorisation: "selection criteria and procedures for granting rights of use of spectrum that promote [ ] the efficient use of spectrum as a public good [ ]"; "promote the ongoing efficient use of spectrum for networks, devices and applications"; "[w]here necessary in order to ensure the effective use of rights of use of spectrum and avoid spectrum hoarding, [ ] consider taking appropriate measures, such as financial penalties, incentive fees tools or the withdrawal of rights"; "adopt allocation and authorisation measures appropriate for the development of broadband services [ ] with the aim of achieving the highest possible capacity and broadband speeds". Article 4(8) - identification and sharing of best practices "In order to avoid the possible fragmentation of the internal market due to divergent selection criteria and procedures for harmonised spectrum [ ] facilitate the identification and sharing of best practices on authorisation conditions and procedures [ ] to increase consistency across the Union [ ]." 5
Ongoing RSPG Activity* I Assess the suitability of the current and potentially future ECS bands Focus on usage rights conditions to meet spectrum requirements of future WBB systems (speed, capacity, coverage, etc.) Based on the findings of the RSPG WBB Opinion** with regard to spectrum supply *RSPG14-556: Request for Report on efficient awards and use of spectrum bands harmonised for Electronic Communications Services **RSPG13-521(rev1): RSPG Opinion on Strategic Challenges facing Europe in addressing the Growing Spectrum Demand for Wireless Broadband 6
Ongoing RSPG Activity* II Best practices on spectrum award approaches and related conditions of use Auction approaches and design (e.g. types, rules); Incentive measures to promote efficient use of spectrum; Regulatory approaches to spectrum sharing and/or pooling Relevant methods to implement technology neutrality and service neutrality (deadline 24 May 2016); withdrawing underutilised spectrum Duration and timeline for potential new bands and reauthorisation of frequency bands already harmonised *RSPG14-556: Request for Report on efficient awards and use of spectrum bands harmonised for Electronic Communications Services 7
Cooperation Coordination as necessary with BEREC, e.g. where support is needed on licensing and competition issues -> today's workshop Interactions with stakeholders in particular with regard to the suitability of harmonised and identified bands for ECS and related usage conditions Strategic considerations on spectrum of the R&D community framed in the Public Private Partnership on the 5 th Generation of Communication Systems (5G PPP*) > workshop 13 November 2014 Basis for any future need for RSPG to develop recommendations on the subjects in question, if appropriate, depending on the development of ongoing legislative initiatives *5g-ppp.eu 8
Conclusions and questions Idea of establishing best-practices well established in the current framework (e.g. RSPP Article 4) Exchange of information between Member States has started under RSPG (RSPG14-556) What are best-practices and how far can they be applied throughout the EU? How valid are the past and current practices in view of future requirements? How can best-practices stimulate investment? How can EU coordination be achieved? 9