advanced communication platform for digital society

Advanced communication

platform for digital society

July 8, 2021

SoftBank Corp. / HAPSMobile Inc.

Disclaimer

This presentation material is made based on information available at the

time of writing. Plans, forecasts, strategies, and other forward-looking

statements in this presentation are not historical facts, and include elements

of risk and uncertainty. Actual results may therefore differ materially from

these forward-looking statements due to changes in the business

environment and other factors.

2

Arrival of a Super-digital Society

3

Communication platform development

2000s 2010s 2020s

Image

Movie

HD

4K

8K4G3G

Text

5G

2030s

Towards the new era beyond 5G, communication platform

needs to evolve to provide enriched connectivity for all things,

information and humans

6

7

GBS資料で文言修正

Bad No CoverageGood

Dense Urban Urban Rural Super Rural Maritime / Sky

Challenges for ground network until now

Deterioration of investment efficiency and

the absence of Maritime and sky coverage


8

An approach above the sky

which provides internet

coverage efficiently

NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network)

9

HAPS as an essential part of NTNDirect connectivity to existing user devices and

significantly low latency due to the shorter distance from the ground

36,000km

10,000km

1,000km

100km

20km

Troposphere

Stratosphere

Outer atmosphere

Outer space

Direct connectivity to existing user devices No need to replace for specific device

HAPS Satellite

Mobile

base station

Satellite

termination device

10

※According to international rules (Radio Regulations), in HAPS service it is possible to use frequency bands identified

for land mobile service (there is a WRC-23 agenda item for expansion of frequency bands for HAPS IMT usage).

For Sustainable Development

*SoftBank and HAPS Mobile supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 11

Scalability of HAPS

12

Contribute effectively to connect the unconnected

in both Time axis and Spatial axis

Uninterrupted coverage during disaster- Time axis -

13

• HAPS can provide seamless services to

wherever emergency communication is

necessary

• In the case that disconnection caused by

significant typhoons, earthquakes and

tsunami, HAPS can restore the

communication platform in one day by

immediate takeoff from the nearby hanger

Remote area coverage- Spatial axis in horizontal direction -

14

• HAPS can broadly cover around 200 km

in diameter, which will offer cost-effective

services to the remote areas where with

no network yet

• Areas where they have challenges to

build ground stations such as isolated

islands, mountainous areas and deserts,

HAPS can contribute to cover above the

sky

3D Area coverage- Spatial axis in vertical direction -

• HAPS is capable of providing services not only to the ground

but also the sky so that the network can be leveraged to the

flight vehicles like drones and air taxis.

Urban Rural Super rural

10km

150m

20km

Existing Coveragevia Ground-stations

Stratosphere

3D Area

via HAPS

15

HAPS technologyalready around the corner

16

HA member’s test flight: HAPSMobile

Delivered LTE Connectivity from

Sunglider (Fixed-Wing Autonomous

Aircraft in the Stratosphere)

Successful Test Flight

on September 21, 2020

17

HA member’s test flight: UAVOS

HAPS ApusDuo 14

Payload weight 3 kg

49.4kg

maximum takeoff mass

14m

wingspan

verified data based

on the latest trials

Up to 16,500m

flight altitude

Up to 6kg

payload

Static & dynamic tests

Weight balance tests

• at an altitude 16 500m

• at an latitude 54

Collecting telemetry data

Test flight – June 5, 2021 https://bit.ly/3jlPbsu

Energy balance tests Test flight – June 6, 2021

Test flight – June 23-24, 2021

Payload weight 4 kg

Payload weight 6 kg


• at an latitude 54


• at an latitude 54Test flights area – Belarus

The HAPS technology has been tested on the aircraft with a wingspan of up to 28 m, the total flight time is

more than 1000 hours, the maximum flight altitude is 19 km, the flight time is 52 hours.

54 latitude

18

https://bit.ly/3jlPbsu

HA member’s test flight: Sceye

* SOURCE: https://www.sceye.com/sceye-press-releases/sceye-reaches-stratosphere-flies-at-64000-ft/

Announced a significant milestone including

a successfully flight at an altitude of 64,600 ft (19.7 km)

and the record-setting data connection for a range of 140km

19

https://www.sceye.com/sceye-press-releases/sceye-reaches-stratosphere-flies-at-64000-ft/

HA member’s test flight: DT

* SOURCE: https://www.telekom.com/en/media/media-information/archive/cellular-communications-service-from-the-stratosphere-609932

Conducted the world's first successful demo of LTE connectivity

and fully integrated into a commercial mobile network

from the low stratosphere

20

https://www.telekom.com/en/media/media-information/archive/cellular-communications-service-from-the-stratosphere-609932

HAPS Alliance

TelecomAviation

Interoperability Commercialization

・ Promote and build standards and

guidelines for the upper airspace while

cooperating with ICAO, FAA and other

aviation regulators

・Advocate for global harmonization of

HAPS/HIBS spectrum at global/national level

・Influence commercial standards including

3GPP NTN

・Develop product specifications

・Standardization of HAPS/HIBS network

interoperability

・Publish case studies/whitepapers

・Joint pilot/Proof of Concepts

・Build a cooperative HAPS/HIBS

ecosystem

* SOURCE: HAPSMobile website

* SOURCE: HAPSALLIANCE website

By accelerating HAPS technologies and development

building a cooperative ecosystem

21

https://www.istockphoto.com/jp/%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%88/%E6%88%91%E3%80%85-%E3%81%AF%E4%BB%8A%E5%A4%9C%E3%81%93%E3%81%AE%E3%82%B3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%E3%82%92%E4%BA%80%E8%A3%82%E3%81%97%E3%81%BE%E3%81%99-gm1081869346-290117516

https://www.hapsmobile.com/en/

https://hapsalliance.org/

First Regulatory Positions PaperBriefly introduces HAPS and provides

regulatory recommendations for HAPS implementation

* The Regulatory Positions Paper can be found at the website. 22

https://hapsalliance.org/publications/

Rule making is required for HAPS

• Use of Mobile Spectrum for HIBS (HAPS as IMT Base Stations)

• Flexible Spectrum Use for Non-terrestrial Gateway Links

• Harmonized Licensing Frameworks for HAPS Fixed Links

23

Spectrum

• Development of stratospheric flight management rules

• Type certification / manufacturing certification / airworthiness

certificationAviation

• Flexible policies and regulatory frameworks for ensuring

coexistence of services and avoiding cross-border interferenceCoordination

Dense Urban Urban Rural

IMT spectrum assigned to MNOs can be used for HIBS service link

Local MNO’s mobile service

Basic concept of spectrum usage

HIBS Servicecarrier’s carrier

HIBS

Ground-Based

IMT Base Station

All communications via HIBS will go

through local MNO's network and will be

subject to all local rules

24

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

WRC-23Studies in ITU-R (e.g. Sharing and Compatibility)

Current Regulations New

Additional Identification

25

WRC-23 Agenda Item 1.4- Use of HIBS in IMT identified frequency bands below 2.7GHz -

For proper regulatory action,

necessary technical studies

are being conducted

26

Other components of NTN


As the technology evolves, existing user terminals can also

be considered for satellite communications in the future.

Proper regulations for such usage are expected to be

coordinated for global rules in timely manner.

Pre-Commercialization

2017HAPSMobileEstablished

2019 Low Altitude Flight Test

2019Aircraft

Completed

2020Stratospheric

Flight Test

~ 2025Establishmentof Rules and Regulation

Commercialization

Milestones

2021Now

Establishment of rules and regulations may take 5~6 years

Summary

✓ Data communication platform is indispensable for the

digital society, especially during the era having a lot of

disasters even pandemic situation like these days.

✓ NTN especially HAPS is beneficial to the world to fill the

gap of accessibility to the internet, both in Time axis

and Spatial axis.

✓ Technology to utilize the stratosphere layer of the sky is

just around the corner, commercial service will be seen

right after the proper rulemaking.

Today’s challenge will be tomorrow’s normal

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential

Bill Lan

Vice President, WN

Huawei Technologies

http://www.gizmag.com/li-fi-wireless-technology/32968/pictures

http://www.gizmag.com/li-fi-wireless-technology/32968/pictures

Huawei Confidential | 2

Factors deter digital connectivity in unserved areas

Lack of ElectricityDifficult Terrain

Low Level of Literacy

Low Population Density

Low Per Capita Income Poor Return on Investment


Source: Huawei Intelligence

N. America

Latin America

South Pacific

CIS

South East Asia

Nordic Countries

Sub Saharan Africa

Middle East

N. Africa

E. Europe

100%

99%

100%

100%

100%

95%

95%

89%

80%

87%

81%

78%

84%77%

71%

62%

60%

40%

36%

46%

3G alignment rate 4G alignment rate

LTE coverage vs 3G still low in DCs, 2020

MBB coverage gap improved but LTE coverage still low

State of global mobile Internet connectivity, 2019

Source: GSMA, 2020


Backhaul: VSAT/MW to LTE Relay (NLOS), 0 rental fee

Infrastructure: Tower to Pole, 70% cost saving

Power: D.G to Solar, 70% cost saving

Spectrum: In-band/out-of-band Flexibility

O&M: visual Remote management

“3 Transfer”Stretch 60km

Reduce 50% TCO

Innovative MBB solution extend coverage with low cost

None Line of Sight Backhaul

Easy Deployment• Easy assembling

• Free of concrete casting

• No need engineering vehicle

Easy Delivery• Mini truck easy transport to

rural areas

• 50% transport/deliver cost

Traditional MW Backhaul LTE NLOS Backhaul

Simple StructureOptimal Design

• Single Chip for RF, baseband, backhaul

• Single Module for RRU+BBU+LTE Relay

• LTE Relay 800MHz or 1.8GHz

• Light Design: 6/12m monopole, <600Kg

High Gain Yagi Antenna

Solar

Lithium Battery

LTE Donor Site Relay Site

800Mhz or 1800Mhz

900Mhz

Point to Multi-Point relay transmission

• Less/sparse-populated village

• Population: 3K

• Transmission Capacity: 20-80Mbps

• BTS capacity: GUL

• Coverage: 2~4Km

• Cell edge throughput:

10Mbps


Mexico

Costa Rica

Colombia

Ecuador

Peru

Bolivia

Argentina

Cote D'Ivoire

Namibia

Algeria

Nigeria

Kenya

Langfang

Vietnam

Cambodia

Thailand

Myanmar

Indonesia

Philippines

Laos

Morocco

Guinea

Cameroon

South Africa

Zambia

Uganda

Botswana

GuizhouBangladesh

Lithuania

Estonia

Mongolia

Xinjiang

Xiangyang

ZhoushanLiangshan

Uzbekistan

Zimbabwe

Brazil

Mali

Ukraine

Iraq

Ghana

Senegal

Ghana, +2,000 sites for 3.5M pop• 400 sites covered 1M population, 2018-19

• MTN+Huawei deployed 300 sites in 30 days

• Avg. data traffic: 5GB @site/day, 2020

Nigeria, +200 sites• RuralStar sites covered 2M population, 2020

• Avg. data traffic: 12GB@site/day, 2021Q1, 120% increased

• ROI 4-5X faster than traditional solution

Senegal• 62 sites deployed by operator

A in 2020

• Payback period 2/3 years for villages of 3,700, 1,000 pop

Guizhou, China• High cost per site for small mountain

villages

• RuralStar sites deployed in 1 day

• Improved coverage from 5% to 85%

• 30Mbps peak throughput + high quality VoLTE

Guinea• Strict environment:

swamps, heavy rain

• 100 sites by operator A in 2020

• Avg. data traffic: 1GB@site/day, 2020

RuralStar already connected 50M pop. in +60 countries


Site energy sharing lighten remote rural villages

DC: 1KW

AC meter

PLC Communication

AC: 2.5KW

Layer 1 Layer 2 AC Distribution Box (ACDB)

AC meter

Isolation transformer Box

Integrated control cabinet

Operator Reseller

50 Households50W X 8hrs@day$3.65@month

Load: 1 kW DC48 hours backup power

Electricity wholesaleAC 2.5KW X 8hr

Household

Cable layoutSub. management

School

House

ShopCost saving (D.G→Solar)

Less air pollution

Modular capacity expansion

Revenue Diversification

Reuse site resource

Less investment

Improve ROI

Power supply stability

Communication-class power supply reliability

Enhance digital inclusionGhana


NG-MW backhaul provide fiber-like capacity and reliability

Indonesia

• Large-scale + fast deployment: 15,000 MW links installed in 18 months

• 5G backhaul ready: E-band NG-MW deployed in Java

• Fiber-like capacity: 10Gbps, average 2.3km transmission distance

Saudi Arabia• Large-scale NG-MW deployment

support 5G backhauls

• Max 20GHz fiber-like mobile backhauls, E-band as majority

• Operator A outperform in 5G fast rollout, best quality in video steaming, latency of social medias and video conference

Fiber-like Capacity• Largely enhance E-band

capacity capable to support 5G BTS

• Max 20Gpbs vs. traditional 1-2Gbps

High Reliability• Intelligent beam tracking

antenna efficiently reduce influence of pole sway

• Always on line, applicable for extreme climates

NG-MW

Traditional MW

Low Opex• Carrier aggregation out

door unit integrates 4 frequencies in 6-42GHz

• Simplified components and easy installation


Long haul MW connected remote rural areas

Long Reach: 150km capability

High Capacity: Max 10Gbps

Reliability: 99.999%

Resilience : Sustainable operation

under extreme climate, - 40ºC

Low cost, fast deployment

Philippines

• Connect hundreds of

islands, 547 MW links,

14,001km in total

• Max 10Gbps capacity

• 99.999% reliability

Indonesia

• Connect 800 islands via +1,000 MW links in 6 months

• Super long transmission distance: 153km in east Java

• 4Gbps capacity with 99.999% reliability

Guinea

• National backbone as

supplement of fiber cables

• 70 MW links, 2,069km in

total across country

• High reliability

Bring digital to every person, home and organization

for a fully connected, intelligent world

Thank you

© 2020 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Confidential 1

Building a Resilient Distributed Enterprise for the Post-Pandemic World

9 July 2021

Kartika PrihadiManaging Director, APJC Enterprise Networking Cisco Systems


Pandemic accelerated key technology trends

Source: Mckinsey Future of Work after Covid 19.;; Scott Galloway; MacAfee Report; Cisco; Zoom; Press Search; Cisco Analysis

“What used to take a decade took 8 weeks1”

Ecommerce grew 2 to 5 times faster than before the pandemic

Videoconferencing platforms saw growth of up to 30X

Cybersecurity top of mind – cyberattacks spiking 600% with work from home

Cloud Services grew 30-50% during pandemic months

1. Scott Galloway, Marketing Professor NYU Stern


Digital investments and resiliency are still top of mind to operate in the post-pandemic world

Source: KPMG CEO Pulse Survey. March 2021

61%

Most companies are building on their digital collaboration and communication tools

18%

Cybersecurity risk has become the top risk for CEOs

74%

Reported acceleration of the digitization of their operations

>50%

Will spend more on digital technologies this year

55%

CEOs are worried that not all employees would have access to vaccines

KPMG CEO Pulse Survey, Feb-Mar 2021


The future is of work is hybrid

Source: McKinsey What Executives are saying about the future of work, May 2021

• Per McKinsey study, the Hybrid model—in which employees work both remotely and in the office will the norm

• The majority of executives expect that for roles not requiring on site work, employees will be on-site between 21 and 80 percent of the time, or one to four days


Key principles of a resilient enterprise architecture

Enabling Business Policies

Resilient IT operating model

No compromise on employee safety, security, productivity and experience across a flexible distributed working environment

Flexibility to shift and scale IT capacity, capability and resources where demand lies and as the market environment evolves

Ability to develop and automate new capabilities in an agile manner as the business need arises

Source: Cisco Experience and Analysis


Build a Resilient Distributed Infrastructure for the new normal to prepare for any future shocks

Work Securely from Anywhere

Distributed Workersand Things

Secure Cloud-First Infrastructure Distributed Applications and Cloud Services

ApplicationsCloudOn Premise

SMBEnterprisesPublicSector

Maximize Experience & Productivity

Devices

Manage from Anywhere:Visibility, Automation, Analytics

Remote Worker

Collaborate from Any Device

Branch or Campus

Hybrid Cloud

SaaS / VDI

Public Cloud

DatacenterTemporary Workplace

Source: Cisco Analysis

Connectivity | Zero Trust Security | Cloud Services | CollaborationVisibility | Automation | Policy | Analytics (AI/ML)


Resilient Distributed Enterprise Blueprint Foundation for digital transformation post-Covid

Business Policies and Resilient IT Operations

Distributed Applications and Services

Business and Operating Model Evolution : New Digital Capabilities

Secure Infrastructure (Connectivity, Collaboration, Cloud, Security)

Distributed Workers

Phase 1 Respond and Retool

Phase 2 Reimagine

Resilient DistributedEnterprise Architecture

Digital Transformation

Post-Covid Digital Strategy


Vertical Use Cases to Restart the Business

Vertical Use Cases for the New Business Model

Time

Deg

ree

of tr

ansf

orm

atio

nDuring Covid Digital Strategy


Broad portfolio of capabilities required to support a flexible resilient distributed architecture

Distributed Workers and Things

Secure Cloud-First Infrastructure

Distributed Applications and Services

Employee and Site Safety

Secure Remote Access

Optimized Connectivity and Scalable Capacity

Remote Visibility and AssuranceAutomation and Zero Touch Provisioning

Applications and Cloud Services Experience

Common Policy and Segmentation

Secure Communication and Collaboration

Hybrid and Multicloud Delivery



Cisco Best Practices for Business Policies and a Resilient IT Operating Model

• WFH policies• Data and Application

Security policies• Workplace Resources

• Network Operations• Data Center / Cloud Operations• Security Operations• Laptop / Devices Management

Cisco Best Practices: Key Considerations


Business Policies

IT Operating Model


Top of Mind Themes: Empowering distributed work in a cloud-accelerated world

Return to WorkplaceSecure Remote Work Flexible Multi-Cloud

Secure Communication and Collaboration

Secure Remote Access

Employee and Site Safety

Optimized Connectivity and Scalable Capacity

Hybrid and MulticloudDelivery

Visibility and Assurance


Key

Capa

bilit

ies

Applications and Cloud Services Experience

Automation and Zero Touch Provisioning

Common Policy and Segmentation

Resilient Distributed Enterprise Infrastructure:Zero Trust Security and End-to-End Visibility


Building for resilience considerations

What is the target mix of distributed work in the future ? Do we have the optimal communications and collaboration infrastructure for productivity ?

What capabilities would you require across your distributed work environment as you build out a new operating model ?

How do we ensure that applications are delivered to any worker optimally ?

Do we have a consistent security policies and integrated security strategy e.g. zero trust?

How do we ensure that our IT operations are set up to manage the infrastructure for distributed workers and applications ?



Prepare for the Hybrid Workplace

Next Steps

Start your journey to a Resilient Enterprise


Work from home

98%

Enable work flexibility without compromiseToday

On-the-go

2%

Tomorrow

Traditional office locations

0%

Traditional office locations

30%

Work from home

65%

On-the-go

5%


“Wireless Spectrum in Asia-Pacific for the 5G Era:IMT Spectrum Assignment Study”

Scott W MinehaneITU Expert, Windsor Place [email protected]

The scope of the ITU study Key early observations for IMT spectrum assignments in ASP Key upcoming IMT spectrum assignments in ASP Exemplar practice for releasing spectrum Additional challenges to support the release of 5G Spectrum Key observations specific to LDCs, SIDS & LLDCs

Overview

The scope of the ITU study• The key objective is to develop a resource for the ITU’s Asia-Pacific member

states which provides information and insights concerning IMT spectrum assignments in the region. There are five major components of this study, namely:

(i) Considerations underlying spectrum assignments

(ii) IMT spectrum assignments in the Asia-Pacific region in the last 5 years

(iii) Proposed IMT spectrum assignments in the Asia-Pacific region

(iv) Approaches to the setting reserve prices for spectrum assignments

(v) Policy and regulatory settings for spectrum assignments.

• Key to the report is the compilation of a database of ASP IMT spectrum assignments as well as number of country case studies on the release of IMT spectrum.

Key early observations for IMT spectrum assignments in ASP (1)The key early observations of our study :

• Mostly all ASP countries covered by the ITU study have allocated spectrum (28 out of 37) over the past 5 years, noting that we are still seeking data from Pacific countries so that figure may rise

• The top three most popular IMT spectrum bands allocated were: 1) 1800 MHz band typically used for 4G services, 2) 3.5 GHz band for 5G services & 3) 2100 MHz band used for 3G/4G services

• There was an overwhelming preference in the region forspectrum allocation through spectrum auctions. Othermethods of spectrum assignment included administrativeallocations, beauty contests, hybrid (assignment andauction) and direct offers.

• 5G spectrum allocations in the pioneer band(3.5 GHz/ n77/78 band) took off from 2018. The3.5 GHz band allocations continued throughout2019 and peaked in the region in 2020.

• More developed countries/regions (eg Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand) have also allocated mmWave for 5G.

Source: BBC

Key early observations for IMT spectrum assignments in ASP (2)The key early observations of our study (continued):

• The length of licence varies between Asia-Pacific countries. One of the shortest licences granted was in the Republic of Korea (5 years for the 28 GHz band), whilst the longest was in India (20 years for across a variety of bands). The most common licence length in the region over the past five years is 15 years (eg Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, etc.)

• Other spectrum licences were not limited by a particular number of years, but were contingent on other factors such as in Bangladesh (5.7 year licence for the 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands to align with the end date of other spectrum licences), New Zealand (2 year licences were offered for the 3.5 GHz band due to COVID-19 and increased capacity requirements) and Nepal (1800 MHz licence length is linked to telecommunications licence term).

Source: Telstra, March 2020,


• Conditions have imposed to encourage the rollout of a 5G networks and/or ensure nation-wide coverage, as in Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore. For example, in Singapore the two winners of 3.5 GHz band spectrum in Singapore, Singtel and Antina have until 2022 to deliver coverage to 50% of Singapore. They have another 3 years(until the end of 2025) to deliver nationwide coverage. TheIMDA acknowledged the challenges of 5G deployment andtherefore allowed the winners to propose a reasonabletimeline to achieve nationwide coverage.

• In Thailand, NBTC motivated 5G investment in Thailand by giving 3 years grace period for any repayment if 5G is deployed in 50 percent of Eastern Economic Corridor (ECC) Area within 1 year and 50 percent of smart city within 4 years.

• When imposing conditions or coverage commitments, regulators must be careful to avoid early and unnecessary investment, and ensuring that competition is the driving force behind any 5G rollout. This is because 5G handset penetration in the region remains relatively low albeit growing strongly in certain markets (eg Australia, China, Japan, Republic of Korea etc)


• Based on regional examples, optimal Information Memorandum typically prepared by the regulator prior to the release of spectrum includes the following:

Key upcoming IMT spectrum assignments in ASP• From our study, the key upcoming IMT spectrum assignments in ASP are:

• The key focus appears to be around the auctioning of capacity mid-band spectrum namely the 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands.

• For upcoming spectrum allocations in late 2021, there is a focus on spectrum allocation as a precursor to 5G launches (eg Vietnam, Pakistan, Malaysia via single wireless network) and additional spectrum for 5G (eg China).

• Some upcoming spectrum allocations are paired with scheduled 2G/3G service shutdowns (eg Vietnam, Malaysia). Some upcoming spectrum allocations are an attempt to facilitate industry competition (eg, Iran). While others are to refarmlow band spectrum into 5G NR compatible blocks(eg 2 x 5 MHz blocks) (eg Australia).

• Refarming of certain IMT bands may be required to makethe existing band allocations into larger contiguousblocks and preferably to be licensed in 5 MHz blocks.

Exemplar practice for releasing spectrum (1)The overall aim of spectrum management is to maximise welfare by ensuring spectrum is used most efficiently and for the right purpose. This requires balancing a number of objectives:

• Maximise overall public benefit derived from using the radiofrequencyspectrum.

• Make adequate provision of the spectrum for use by agenciesinvolved in defence, emergency, community services, etc.

• Encourage the use of most efficient radiocommunicationstechnologies to maximise range and quality of servicesespecially IMT spectrum used for mobile and wireless broadband services.

• Provide an efficient, equitable and transparent system of charging for the use of spectrum taking account of the value of both commercial and non-commercial use of spectrum.

It is also critical that licensees have a high degree of certainty as to what, when and how critical IMT spectrum will be made available so that they can plan deployments, technologies, investments etc. This is especially important given increasing spectrum demand due to the COVID pandemic (including WFH/SFH etc) and the need to efficiently provide nationwide services.

Exemplar practice for releasing spectrum (2)Across the region there remains too few examples of Governments and regulators issuing a spectrum roadmap especially for IMT spectrum.

A spectrum roadmap is important as it is an agreed plan for both governmentand all stakeholders setting out the steps and timing in making availableunused spectrum and in better utilising existing spectrum allocations.

In particular, a spectrum roadmap should cover:

• An audit setting out current use of spectrum and identifying any spectrum that could be re-farmed to higher value use;

• The schedule for future spectrum releases;

• How spectrum will be assigned, including a framework for determining spectrum prices and other terms and conditions; and

• The timing and process for spectrum renewal decisions.

In the region, Australia, New Zealand, and Myanmar have detailed IMT spectrum roadmaps, Pakistan has a rolling spectrum strategy, while India is currently consulting on a 10 year spectrum roadmap.

Exemplar practice for releasing spectrum (3)IMT Spectrum Roadmap Targets:

• Subject to demand, to ensure that there is more IMT Spectrum for wireless broadband and 5G deployment in Asia-Pacific markets availability should be increased to at least 840 MHz of total IMT spectrum plus allocations of mmWave spectrum as soon as possible (except smaller markets).

• Such allocations should be in larger contiguous blocks consistentwith future best practice eg 5G NR. Preferability in 5 MHz blocks.

• Knowing that there will be sufficient spectrum in the future to support 3G, 4G and 5G service offerings, MNOs can confidently make the necessary long-term investments in digital infrastructure.

• Such spectrum should be allocated on a technology neutral basis and MNOs should also have the flexibility to use their allocated IMT spectrum for mobile broadband and/or FWA services

• Should acknowledge the need for spectrum refarming with the switch-off of legacy 2G/3G systems over time given the very high costs of concurrently operating 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G services

Also, refer to ITU White Paper Digital Infrastructure Policy and Regulation in Asia-Pacific Region, released 2 September 2019

Exemplar practice for releasing spectrum (4)In terms of pricing, across the Asia-Pacific region, there remains many examples, often in South Asia where the reserve prices are arguably set too high, the reserve price becomes the price to acquire and spectrum is left unsold.

Best practice: Set reserve price inthe green zone and rely on auctionto determine market price

Bad practice: Attempting to price in the orange or red zones

• High risk that award will fail with spectrum going unsold, at expense of consumer benefits from spectrum use

• Even if spectrum sells, consumer benefits may be destroyed owing to disincentives for investment and competition

Award Failure – Spectrum will go unsold, as marginal winners cannot afford spectrum

Spectrum may sell, but with maximum risk and financial burden on operators, and associated disincentives for competition and investment

Absent positive externalities, government should not proceed on these terms, as revenues do not cover costs of award

Effective Pricing Zone – trade off between:

higher prices (more revenues but higher burden on operators and their customers)

lower prices (lower financial burden but less revenues and demand reduction concerns)

IMPLICATIONS FOR REGULATORS

Source: NERA Economic Consulting ,

Additional challenges to support the release of 5G SpectrumFor many countries in Asia-Pacific, the move to make spectrum available for 5G will result in the first release of TDD spectrum. With TDD systems (including systems in the 3.5 GHz band) there are two levels of synchronisation which are needed, namely inter-operator synchronisation within a country and synchronisation across borders.

Synchronisation between TDD mobile networks refer to parameters that make sure adjacent networks send and receive data from mobile or fixed devices at the same time, in order to avoid interference. Without synchronisation at a national level between operators, it will be impossible to deploy networks without impacting performance due to interference

• Putting in place synchronisation and agreed frame structure ensures efficient spectrum usage – no additional guard band is required – and network equipment costs can be reduced. This will assist in making 5G services more affordable. This has been the approach adopted in the region including in Australia, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore.

Recommended National Frame Structure for 3.5 GHz spectrum

For TDD 2.6 GHz where there is 5G coexistence with 4G/LTE TDD network a 5 ms frame structure of 8:2 (DDDDDDDSUU) should be adopted in order to be compatible with 4G/LTE network.

Key observations specific to LDCs, SIDs & LLDCs (1)What key observations can be made in relation to LDCs?

• Critical to make more IMT spectrum available at reasonable and affordable prices with target of at least 840 MHz in total if not a reach target of 960 MHz for Asia-Pacific countries with a large population

• Given the need for affordable retail services, priorisation should be on low and mid-band spectrum unless there is demand for high band spectrum. “Downbanding” of 4G and 5G spectrum and deployments is likely to result in lower capex and opex costs for MNOs especially in relation to towers, backhaul etc

• IMT spectrum allocations should be service and technology neutral to allow integrated 4G/5G services (eg in the 2.6 and 2.3 GHz bands) and to facilitate transition from legacy 2G/3G services

What key observations can be made in relation to SIDS?

• Focus should be on making low band spectrum available with some mid-band spectrum to support higher speed broadband services in any urban areas. Should be more selective about IMT band availability

• Need to improve network resilience and disaster preparedness with infrastructure sharing/hardened infrastructure

What key observations can be made in relation to LLDCs?

• Important to have cross-border co-ordination measures in place with neighbours especially in relation to TDD• Need to have harmonized spectrum allocations and work through the ITU and regional groups like APT, ASEAN,

and SAARC, to achieve maximise spectrum availability and minimize harmful spectrum interference

ITU paper on Pandemic in the Internet Age: From second wave to new normal, recovery, adaptation and resilience Summary of key themes highlights the optimal way post-pandemic to ensure better preparedness, and ensure connectivity

Key elements involving IMT spectrum

Key observations specific to LDCs, SIDs & LLDCs (2)

Thank you

Scott W Minehane, Managing DirectorWindsor Place Consulting, [email protected]

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