Page 121 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Ofcom set out its vision for how shared use of the and European regulators to a workshop on this
upper 6 GHz spectrum band could enable both Wi-Fi topic. The ideas discussed by the approximately 70
and mobile services, while also continuing to serve participants will help to further refine the thinking. The
the band’s existing users as much as possible. As UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation
people use ever more data in their daily lives, there are and Technology is also funding several trials until March
increasing demands on radio spectrum. It is a finite 2025 to explore new spectrum sharing techniques,
resource, so we are considering innovative ways of which should provide insights for the work. Next year,
ensuring that it is used as efficiently as possible. In July Ofcom will set out further details on how it intend to
2023, regulator consulted on an approach that would make the upper 6GHz band available in the UK, and will
allow both Wi-Fi and mobile services to share spectrum consult before making any decisions on future use of
in the upper 6 GHz band, known as ‘hybrid sharing’. the band. (May 21, 2024) www.ofcom.org.uk
This would be the first time Wi-Fi and licensed mobile
technologies share spectrum extensively. The paper Eight in 10 UK homes (80%) are now able to get gigabit-
outlines two possible approaches that could form part capable broadband, up from 73% the same time last
of a sharing framework: year, according to new Ofcom data published. The
1. Variable spectrum split. Both Wi-Fi and mobile would figures from Ofcom’s Connected Nations spring update
be able to use any part of the band where the other also show that, as of January 2024, 62% of households
is not deployed, but have sections of it they are can access full-fiber broadband, which delivers the
prioritized in. This could be done by each technology internet to users through fiber-optic cables for a faster
transmitting a specific signal so they can sense and and more reliable service. It marks a significant increase
avoid each other. from 48% year on year, as full-fiber technology is
2. Indoor/outdoor split. Wi-Fi routers tend to be rapidly rolled out across the UK. There has been steady
indoors to serve a particular household, whereas progress in reducing the number of premises unable to
mobile base stations are mostly located outdoors to get decent broadband, defined by the Government as at
provide coverage to a wider area. The band could be least download speeds of 10 Mbit/s and upload speeds
managed to prioritize the indoor use of Wi-Fi while of 1 Mbit/s, which fell from 68,000 to 57,000 over the
also prioritizing mobile use outdoors. past year. Mobile coverage continues to improve as well,
Regulator is working with industry to develop a hybrid with 92% of UK premises now able to get a 5G signal
sharing framework and the necessary coexistence outdoors from at least one mobile network operator, up
solutions and also working with other European from 82% in space of a year. (May 1, 2024) www.ofcom.org.uk
regulators, with a technical report on this topic is
scheduled to be published in 2025. Earlier this month
OFCOM welcomed a range of technology companies

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “The National Spectrum
establishment of the Spectrum Steering Team, which Strategy is a good start, and the Spectrum Steering
will lead the FCC’s efforts to develop and implement Team will put its experience, talent and leadership to
forward-looking spectrum policies and execute the work helping to shape a bright wireless future.” At its
United National Spectrum Strategy. The Spectrum Steering outset, the Spectrum Steering Team will coordinate
Team brings together policy experts, economists, and
the FCC’s National Spectrum Strategy implementation
States engineers from across the Commission—including the efforts—including active participation in the in-depth
Office of Economics and Analytics, Office of Engineering study of 2,786 megahertz of spectrum for repurposing
and Technology, Space Bureau, and Wireless across key bands—and collaborate with the National
Telecommunications Bureau—to drive spectrum policy Telecommunications and Information Administration,
and planning efforts that will ensure U.S. wireless federal agencies, and stakeholders. The Spectrum
leadership. “Demand for spectrum is growing at a Steering Team will be seeking input from stakeholders
breakneck pace as wireless technology expands and on how the FCC can best support the National Spectrum
transforms so much in our economy and modern life, Strategy implementation efforts.
so we need to get creative with spectrum policies,” said (May 14, 2024) www.fcc.gov

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