Presentations from the SPF Cluster 2 & 3: Release Mechanisms & Flexible Spectrum Access workshop on 21 May 2018 More information about the UK Spectrum Policy Forum is available here. http://www.techuk.org/about/uk-spectrum-policy-forum

1. Flexible Spectrum Access
Nigel King
21 May 2018

2. 3.6 to 3.8 GHz Sharing Opportunity
• Auction in 2019
• Ofcom still consulting
• WISPs need the Spectrum in Rural
• 7% of properties do not have access to superfast broadband (Ofcom Number)
• ~1% do not have access to any broadband
• MNOs need the Spectrum in Urban
• 7% of the landmass
• 83% of the population
• MNOs will not deploy in this frequency band in rural
• Surely this can be made to work in a simple manner

3. Mobile inability to use 3.5GHz Spectrum in
Rural
• Trees have 3 times the loss at 3.5GHz than at 1.8GHz
• Houses have 6dB more loss at 3.5GHz than at 1.8GHz
• Power limits close to the maximum already for safe operation
• 5GIC have stated in consultation that this band will not be used in
rural
• Vodafone have stated to me that they will not deploy this frequency
in Rural
• 93% of the landmass will remain unused without geographic sharing

4. Advantage to WISPs of using 3.5GHz
• Only currently able to use 5.8GHz for mass deployment
• Not able to provide Service Level Agreements
• Need more than 2x the number of base stations to cover an area to 99% than
at 3.5GHz
• Nevertheless
• Demonstrated 300k properties deployed (Ofcom figure)
• 107 WISPs using 5.8GHz spectrum (Ofcom figure)
• 3.5 GHz gives
• Much longer range at least 2x
• Penetration through some trees
• Protection from interference

5. WISP Networks
• Much greater capacity than mobile 5G networks (efficient spectrum
use)
• Many low cost unobtrusive base sites giving high Mbps/sqkm
• Directional Subscribers (CPE) giving good frequency
• 256QAM capability normal
• MUMIMO Normal
• Connectivity through
• 7m CPE height
• 1 point on house required
• High gain at (CPE) giving high uplink and downlink gain

6. Sharing methods (1)
• MNOs
• Need to decide what areas they want – I suggest a list of OS 1km squares
• Need to sign up to deploying in those areas within 5 years – I suggest 90% of purchased areas
• Need protection from the WISPs – I suggest a 5km clear zone.
• WISPs
• Need simplicity
• Need low cost licenses
• Providing for a public need - sometimes subsidized
• Each need to be able to start small and increase area and capacity through time
• No need for space between WISPs
• Normally arrange frequency reuse plan with neighbouring WISPs
• Enough total spectrum for 2 WISPs in an area if 3.4 to 3.8GHz was revisited
• Certainty of use for 7 years
• Fast reallocation on business failure

7. Sharing Methods (2)
• Equipment specifications
• Need to ensure that low cost mobile (LTE/5G) chipsets are useable
• May mean that DSA processes are inapplicable or required
• Whitespace and CBRS specifications have caused extra equipment cost
• Spectrum Trading regulations are not obvious
• I have asked Ofcom Trading desk a week ago without response
• Regulation looks complex
• Looking for comments and plan of action

8. THANK YOU
This cannot be difficult!