The 4th CIS & CEE Spectrum Management Conference

WRC-19 took place in Egypt at the end of 2019, delivering key decisions and directions on spectrum policy for the next four years and beyond. Now that the dust has settled, the general consensus from most stakeholders seems to be that overall a fair balance was reached. The next steps are now of course for the outcomes and decisions to be implemented, both in the CIS region and elsewhere around the world. This session will look at the work that needs to be done to do this and implement the decisions from WRC-19 as quickly and efficiently as possible. And with attention already starting to switch to WRC-23, it will then move on to look at the key agenda and items expected to feature there.

• What new bands were identified for IMT at WRC-19 and what are now the next steps in order to ensure they are made available as quickly and efficiently as possible?
• With 5G set to be delivered through a mix of technology and a ‘network-of-networks’, to what extent will the decisions at WRC19 help to meet the future requirements of key technologies such as satellite (including ESIMs), WiFi and HAPS alongside those of mobile?
• Are there any lessons from WRC-19 that can be taken to improve the way in which WRC-23 and future conferences are co-ordinated?
• What are the key agenda items and bands to be discussed at WRC-23, and what are the next steps in the build-up to this?
• With much of WRC-19 focussing on 5G ‘capacity’ bands, what now needs to be done to ensure that sufficient spectrum is available to deliver 5G coverage?
• The 6GHz band is set to be one of the key topics for discussion in the lead-up to WRC-23. Where does the balance between licenced and licence-exempt use in this band?
• Will we still be talking about ‘spectrum for 5G’ when we reach 2023, or will the focus have switched to B5G or 6G?

As we saw in the last session, one of the key focusses at WRC-19 was to identify additional spectrum for IMT in the mmWave bands. No awards in these bands have taken place across CIS countries to date, but this This session will now take the opportunity to look at this emerging mmWave ecosystem in a little more detail.

• How much mmWave spectrum was allocated for IMT at WRC-19 and what will this do to the future mmWave landscape? To what extent has this changed plans within mmWave bands both in CIS and elsewhere around the world?
• Which mmWave frequencies are emerging as the key bands for 5G? What strategies are emerging in the CIS region and in neighbouring countries?
• What is the likely demand for mmWave spectrum for 5G across CIS countries both in the short term and longer term future? How can the balance be met between this and also meeting the needs of incumbent users in the bands?

In much of Europe and Asia, large chunks of C-band spectrum in the 3.4 GHz–3.8 GHz band has designated for IMT. Across the CIS region however, this approach is problematic, with the C-band used extensively for fixed satellite service including distribution of DTV to regional TV stations. This had let to regulators exploring alternative options in order to identify the required mid-range bandwidth for IMT. This session will look at the shape of spectrum usage across the entire mid-band range and explore where the bandwidth to meet the needs of mobile broadband and all other key users can be met.

• How much spectrum (if any) could realistically be made available for IMT in the C-band across CIS countries?
• How much mid-range bandwidth is going to be needed to meet the growing demand for mobile broadband?
• What other options exist to find the required mid-band spectrum to meet future requirements for mobile broadband?
• Could bands such as 4.4-5GHz, 4.8 – 4.9GHz, 6GHz, 2.3GHz or 2.6GHz be options across the region?
• How can it be ensured that the requirements of satellite and other incumbent users of mid-band spectrum are fully taken care of?

How important is it that as co-ordinated approach to mid band allocation is taken both across the region and also with neighbouring countries

A continuing challenge for regulators across the CIS and CEE region is to deliver connectivity to rural areas and to close the digital divide. There is not a one size fits all solution for this, and a mix of innovative approaches and different technologies is needed to deliver the affordable and efficient rural connectivity that is required. This session will look at some of the different approaches being put forward. It will look at the importance of low frequency spectrum bands (such as the 600, 700 & 800Mhz bands) in providing the required coverage spectrum for mobile broadband, and also at the role of other key technologies in breaking down the digital divide.

• What different technology and policy options are being put forward to help deliver low cost and sustainable connectivity to rural areas?
• How can Governments, regulators ensure that they are truly understanding the connectivity requirements of these rural communities, and then work with the private sector to meet these?
• What is the current landscape below 1GHz in the region such as the 600, 700 & 800Mhz bands), and how much spectrum in this band is needed by mobile in order to deliver the coverage that is required?
• How can it be ensured that the requirements of all users in these bands are being met?
• How are technology companies, connectivity providers and other key stakeholders collaborating to help deliver connectivity in rural areas?
• What role can unlicensed technologies play in the solution?

With the emergence of 5G, future connectivity networks are going to look fundamentally different to the network infrastructure that is seen across CIS and CEE countries today. As well as allowing for faster speeds, greater capacity and low latency, 5G networks are going to have to be agile and flexible, and most likely able to adapt to applications that haven’t even been envisaged yet. With many regulators across the region now starting to prepare for commercial deployment in the not too distant future, this session will look at the challenges that still need to be overcome in order to deliver this, and to ensure that our networks are truly ready to handle 5G.

• What are the main challenges that still remain for operators looking to deploy a 5G network in both urban and rural areas?
• What work is beginning at both a regional and national level to smooth the path to 5G deployment and introducing policies that enable the easy roll out of networks?
• To what extent can approaches seen in other regions be used as a template for CIS and CEE countries looking to reduce costs and red tape involved in deployment?
• What is the current situation across CIS countries regarding the licencing regime for small cells and base stations and how conducive is this to easy roll-out of 5G networks?
• What challenges do current EMF limits across the region pose for 5G deployment, and how can a solution be found that safeguards the general public without slowing down 5G deployment?
• As the volume of data increases, which areas in future end-to-end 5G networks offer the greatest risk of becoming potential ‘bottlenecks’, and how can network operators plan now to avoid these appearing?
• What challenges are faced when developing backhaul networks for 5G and how can these be overcome?

5G offers the potential to transform different vertical industries across the world. A major focus area for regulators is on the best way to provide these enterprise users with access to the required spectrum. A number of different licencing models are being explored in different regions around the world, including the option to offer vertical users the opportunity to acquire spectrum directly, through localised 5G licences. This session will explore the pros and cons of the various approaches that are being seen and discuss the best way forward for CIS countries to ensure an efficient and flexible spectrum framework that satisfies the many varied 5G and vertical use cases.

• How is 5G likely to transform enterprise use cases in sectors such as manufacturing, utilities, healthcare, retail, agriculture and automotive?
• What is the best way to deliver the required connectivity to these essential vertical users?
• What approaches to this are being seen both in the CIS region and across the rest of the world?
• What spectrum bands are being used?
• What are the benefits in providing access to spectrum directly to vertical users as opposed to the traditional method of using networks provided by traditional MNOs? What new challenges are raised?

Spectrum sharing and coexistence of different technologies within a spectrum band are seen as a key regulatory tool for regulators and stakeholders around the world to increase spectrum efficiency. Different approaches are being put forward, but at the heart of these needs to be the principle of protection, and insuring the avoidance of interference. This session will look at some of the latest proposals, techniques and technologies that are being put forward to deliver this, and at the best way forward to ensure a regulatory framework that encourages spectrum sharing and provides protection for all users.

One of the key factors that mobile operators will point to when looking at justifying investment in new technologies and networks is the need for regulatory certainty and planning ahead. With 5G just around the corner, now more than ever, there is a need for regulators and governments to prepare for the future and have a roadmap for future spectrum release is in place to ensure that they don’t get left behind. This session will explore the importance of regulatory certainty, and at how countries can best ensure that they are fully prepared for 5G.

• What examples of spectrum roadmaps best practice are currently being seen in countries across the region, and what impact are these likely to have in encouraging operators to invest in next generation networks?
• What impact does it have on mobile operators and markets more generally when a plan for future release of spectrum is not readily available or understood?
• How can regulators plan ahead to ensure that they are not left behind when it comes to 5G rollout?

One of the key factors that mobile operators will point to when looking at justifying investment in new technologies and networks is the need for regulatory certainty and planning ahead. With 5G just around the corner, now more than ever, there is a need for regulators and governments to prepare for the future and have a roadmap for future spectrum release is in place to ensure that they don’t get left behind. This session will explore the importance of regulatory certainty, and at how countries can best ensure that they are fully prepared for 5G.

• What examples of spectrum roadmaps best practice are currently being seen in countries across the region, and what impact are these likely to have in encouraging operators to invest in next generation networks?
• What impact does it have on mobile operators and markets more generally when a plan for future release of spectrum is not readily available or understood?
• How can regulators plan ahead to ensure that they are not left behind when it comes to 5G rollout?