Spectrum

     Spectrum Information    
Radio spectrum is the most important resource for the provisioning of advanced wireless services. The radio spectrum is the Radio Frequency (RF) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
 
4G Americas carefully reviews government plans for the allocation of additional spectrum in the Americas and presents its position to the Organization of American States (CITEL) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the U.S. government as well as provides white papers and technology briefings on various spectrum related issues. Additionally, 4G Americas meets with regulatory officials in governments throughout the Americas regions to discuss spectrum planning, spectrum processes, and other important matters that are vital to the success of the wireless industry.
 
In the U.S., regulatory responsibility for the radio spectrum is divided between the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The FCC is an independent regulatory agency and administers spectrum for non-Federal use (i.e., state, local government, commercial, private internal business and personal use). The NTIA is an operating unit of the Department of Commerce and administers spectrum for Federal use (e.g., use by the Army, the FAA, and the FBI).
 
4G Americas embraces the following general principles:
  • 4G Americas supports a policy of free market choice for the allocation of spectrum, along with the freedom for operators to choose their preferred technologies in allocated bands by representing the best interests of consumers, service providers, manufacturers and the economy. It recognizes that the explosive growth of wireless services in the Americas has made significant contributions to national universal service goals, and that further contributions will depend on a supply of spectrum consistent with the constantly expanding demand for mobile wireless services.
  • Governments and regulatory authorities in the Americas should follow a cohesive and transparent process in which an evaluation of the global competitive marketplace is carefully considered when additional spectrum is allocated for the mobile wireless industry. Considerations in this evaluation include the demand for growth of current commercial wireless services, transition to new wireless services, regional and global interoperability, economies of scale, interoperability, roaming and increased bandwidth requirements for new advanced communication services, such as IMT in both existing and planned new spectral bands.
  • A cohesive spectrum plan for all the Americas is vital for the overall economic health of the wireless industry as well as the economic development of the Americas region.
  • Spectrum Caps are often prohibitive to the health of the mobile wireless industry and deter advancements and deployments in mobile broadband technology
  • Customized designer spectrum auctions have adverse impacts to the most efficient use of spectrum assets for society.
  • Governments throughout North, Central and South America should closely study and consider the ITU guidelines regarding spectrum planning for future broadband services
4G Americas recommends a spectrum plan for the Americas that is not fragmented, and advocates for five main core bands for wireless services in the Americas which include: 700 MHz, 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz and 1710-1770 MHz/2110-2170 MHz and 2500-2690 MHz bands.
 
Frequency bands that are not harmonized for mobile services throughout the Americas may present difficulties, for example, equipment supporting these bands might not be readily available and infrastructure and handsets may be at higher costs. Additionally, interoperability and roaming capabilities may be further issues. It is desired that frequency bands be common and consistent throughout the Americas to achieve economies of scale and to facilitate roaming. Such a designation will allow service providers, application developers and manufacturers to recognize the highest economies of scale essential to the provision of the highest levels of cost-effective services to current and future wireless consumers at every socio-economic level.
 
In a 2009 position document to CITEL, 3G Americas highlighted its support in the following areas:
  • 3G Americas is committed to assisting in the designation of common spectrum for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) services and fully supports a harmonized spectrum plan for the Americas
  • 3G Americas fully endorses the following options for common spectrum for IMT services in the Americas:
  1. Spectrum Bands: 824-849; paired with 869-894
  2. Spectrum Bands: 1850-1910; paired with 1930-1990
  3. Spectrum Bands: 1710-1770; paired with 2110-2170
  4. Spectrum Band:  700 MHz
  5. Spectrum Band: 2500-2690 MHz
  • Additionally, 3G Americas endorses Option 1920-1980; paired with 2110-2170 for those countries with Personal Communication Service (PCS) networks in the 1800 MHz bands only
  • Allowing operators the opportunity to implement IMT services utilizing the common frequency bands endorsed above would be instrumental in achieving the goals of IMT within the Americas by facilitating global roaming while minimizing equipment costs and promoting economies of scale
In addition to the CITEL document submitted by 3G Americas, other global wireless associations such as the GSMA and UMTS Forum have provided similar positions on spectrum issues. 4G Americas members are also part of the representation by CTIA, the International Association for Wireless Telecommunications. 4G Americas is largely in agreement with most points in these positional documents.  
 
In 2011, 4G Americas released a white paper, titled, Sustaining the Mobile Miracle: A 4G Americas Blueprint for Securing Mobile Broadband Spectrum in this Decade, that focuses on strategies and policies addressing the need for additional spectrum for mobile broadband services. As outlined in the white paper:
Mobile broadband in the Americas is in a ‘delicate’ state.  On the one hand, the growth in subscribership has been phenomenal, a ‘mobile miracle’ in the words of the ITU.  On the other hand, the industry lacks sufficient incremental supply of one of its essential raw materials– spectrum.  Our review of the literature leads us to the conclusion that mobile broadband networks will hit capacity shortages by the middle of the decade unless steps are taken to secure the additional spectrum needed.

Such steps need to be taken today to avoid these risks. The industry has a long history of driving innovation in radio access technologies, from EDGE through HSPA to LTE, allowing it to exploit spectrum assets as intensively as possible.  In parallel, the industry has invested billions in building cell sites to enhance network coverage and capacity.  Such steps will continue to be needed, and there is no indication of deployment slowing.
 
At the same time, incremental spectrum allocations for mobile broadband are vital.  Countries must begin now, if they have not done so already, to plan for the future in order to preserve the promise of the mobile miracle. Historically, spectrum allocations can take at least 5 years, and often longer, to implement.

4G Americas offers the following guideposts to help stakeholders in the region in working together to secure a bright mobile broadband tomorrow.
  1. Well Considered Spectrum Allocation Policies are Imperative
  1. Configure Licenses with Wider Bandwidths
  2. Group Like Services Together
  3. Be Mindful of Global Standards
  4. Pursue Harmonized/Contiguous Spectrum Allocations
  5. Exhaust Exclusive Use Options Before Pursuing Shared Use
  6. Not All Spectrum is Fungible – Align Allocation with Demand
  1. Market oriented spectrum assignment approaches work – spectrum caps should be disfavored.
  2. There is no time to lose – spectrum allocations can take years to effectuate.
4G Americas, as well as its member companies, stand prepared to aid stakeholders in the region in securing the promise of mobile broadband.