Page 147 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

for compensation, as well as a requirement that USPs and comes after Ofcom introduced regulations to allow
must submit ‘sufficient’ information to support any the use of specific types of mobile repeaters without
claim. Meanwhile, when carrying out any review Ofcom a license. These new technical specifications support
would be required to determine the existence and level increases to the maximum system gain permitted for
of any net cost, and once determined the regulator repeaters in vehicles from 21 dB to 36 dB in relevant
would decide whether it would be unfair for the provider frequency bands above 1 GHz; increasing maximum
in question to bear some or all of that cost. The closing gain from 15 dB to 30 dB in frequency bands below 1
date for feedback on the proposals is 7 January 2020. GHz; and extending the range of available frequencies
(November 6, 2019) telegeography.com for in-vehicle repeaters by adding the 2.6 GHz FDD
band to the list of license-exempt frequency bands.
UK regulator Ofcom has announced changes to the The changes have been implemented by amending the
technical requirements for the use of in-vehicle mobile Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Repeater) (Exemption)
phone repeaters. The action is designed to improve Regulations 2018, and will come into force from 27
mobile reception without causing undue interference, January 2020.(November 5, 2019) telecompaper.com

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the Universal Service Fund “must be forward-looking
has confirmed that its latest sale of 5G-suitable and support the networks of tomorrow” to ensure rural
millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies got underway Americans can access the benefits 5G is expected
(10 December). The process comprises spectrum in to deliver, while also meeting the “unique wireless
United the upper 37GHz, 39GHz and 47GHz bands. As per connectivity needs” of the farming community. “We
FCC documentation, qualified bidders include T-Mobile
must ensure that 5G narrows rather than widens the
States US, US Cellular and Windstream. In addition, it is digital divide”, he commented. The 5G Fund would
understood that mobile giants AT&T and Verizon are replace the $4.5 billion Mobility Fund Phase II, which
both bidding under different names: AT&T appears focused on boosting LTE availability, but hit problems
to be using the FiberTower Spectrum Holdings unit relating to operator coverage maps, prompting an
it acquired in February 2018, while Verizon is bidding investigation into the data they provided. Pai’s pledge
through Straight Path (also acquired in February 2018). came as Chinese vendor Huawei commenced a legal
The US territories are also represented, meanwhile, with challenge to a move to prevent operators using the
IT&E (bidding under its previous name PTI Pacifica) Universal Service Fund to purchase its infrastructure.
and DOCOMO Pacific also registered to take part. Both (December 5, 2019) mobileworldlive.com
telcos serve Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
The Auction 103 represents the third sale of mmWave The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
spectrum in 2019, following Auction 101 (28GHz) and Chairman Ajit Pai has announced that he will direct
Auction 102 (24GHz). Auction 101 concluded in January his agency to auction off the nation’s long-awaited 5G
this year, generating a total of USD702.6 million, and spectrum. Details of the auction have yet to be released,
was dominated by Verizon, which spent USD505.7 however in letters sent to lawmakers Pai noted he
million on 1,066 licenses, followed by US Cellular wishes to auction 280 megahertz of C-band spectrum
(USD129.4 million for 408 licenses) and T-Mobile US for the service. A debate among wireless service
(USD39.3 million for 865 licenses). In contrast, AT&T providers over the direction the auction will take has
was the big winner in Auction 102, paying USD982.5 begun, with Verizon supporting a private auction as the
million for 831 of the 2,909 available licenses. Next fastest way to get the 5G spectrum to market. AT&T,
in line was T-Mobile US (USD803.2 million, 1,346 however, has voiced concerns, saying in a recent FCC
licenses), followed by US Cellular (USD126.6 million, filing that it fears a private auction will become “mired
282 licenses). (December 11, 2019) commsupdate.com in legal challenges”, and could threaten the release of
the spectrum to the public altogether. There is also the
US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chief question of how much of the money raised through
Ajit Pai detailed plans to establish a $9 billion pot to the auction will go to the U.S. Government. Republican
fund deployments of 5G in rural areas, which would Sen. John Kennedy and House Energy and Commerce
supersede a previous program covering 4G. Under the communications subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle
plan, monies from the country’s Universal Service Fund have called for the proceeds to go directly to the U.S.
would be available to network operators and allocated Treasury. Kennedy in particular has held meetings with
through a reverse auction. In a statement, the FCC said Pai and given speeches in the Senate voicing concerns
the goal was to boost availability of 5G in “hard-to-serve regarding a private sale. The news of progress in the
areas with sparse populations and/or rugged terrain”. release of the 5G spectrum in the U.S. comes less than
At least $1 billion of the total would be set aside for a week after China successfully flipped the switch on
the agricultural sector, the regulator said. Pai explained a massive 5G rollout of its own, bringing the service

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