Ofcom has today announced the outcome of the principal stage of its auction to release airwaves for 4G mobile and future 5G services in the 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands. In the auction, Vodafone spent the most of all operators, O2 acquired all of the available spectrum at 2.3GHz and and BT/EE's share of spectrum fell as per the auction rules.
Telecom Italia approves network separation plan
On 6 March 2018, Telecom Italia (TIM)’s board approved a plan to move the company’s fixed network assets into a legally separated entity, which will still be part of the group and will be 100% controlled by TIM. According to the plan, access to the network will be granted through a ‘one-stop-shop’ access point for regulated and unregulated wholesale services for all operators including TIM, delivering a 'fully neutral and equivalent' model.
Stakeholders unhappy with spectrum deal as part of the EECC code
On March 1, 2018, the European Commission, the EU Parliament, and the EU Council reached a preliminary agreement on parts of the forthcoming European Electronic Communications Code, related to spectrum policy. The agreement includes the availability of spectrum for 5G in the EU by 2020; a 20-year period of ‘investment predictability’ for spectrum licences; and enhanced coordination and peer review of planned radio spectrum assignment procedures.
UK: Ofcom finalises Wholesale Local Access Market review
Ofcom has finalised the Wholesale Local Access market review. The draft statement reinforces many messages from last year’s consultation and crucially maintains a new charge control for Openreach’s anchor fibre product. A greater emphasis is being put on access to BT’s duct and pole network in light of the strong momentum towards full-fibre from broadband companies other than Openreach.
Regulators press ahead with plans for 5G amid wider uncertainties
The German regulator BNetzA is the latest in a line of European regulators preparing a 5G spectrum auction. Similar planning is taking place in France and in the UK. The European Radio Spectrum Policy Group has also set ambitious deadlines, with the view to see the first commercial launches by 2020. However, for 5G networks to become operational by such a tight deadline, progress needs to be made not only on the front of spectrum awards, but also on the finalisation of 5G standards and on building comprehensive 5G strategies to identify products and services 5G will support and enable.
For the first time, Telecom Italia’s network separation is credible
Network separation of Italy’s incumbent, Telecom Italia (TIM), has made the headlines for a number of years now. More often that not, rumours were not well founded, as they were fuelled by speculation around the need for TI to lighten the regulatory burden it faces, and be more agile in competing at the retail level. The fact that TIM is now controlled by a foreign group is pushing the government to consider separation; so much so, that TIM’s next board meeting on 6 March 2018 will vote on a plan to spin-off the network itself. At the same time, the change in landscape of Italy’s wholesale market could make this a well-timed move for TIM.
The push to open ducts and poles for mobile use
As a country that regularly tops the rankings for network speed and availability, it’s unsurprising that South Korea is pushing for a speedy deployment of 5G technology. In a recent meeting between the Minister for Science and ICT and the country’s main telcos, the government urged industry to collaborate closely to accelerate the adoption of 5G. The minister called for MNOs to be proactive in sharing their infrastructure in order to facilitate investment; and, crucially, asked fixed operators to help 5G development by opening up their passive infrastructure such as ducts and poles.
The EU's Electronic Communications Code is still a long way away from getting approved
With the trialogue negotiations between the Commission, Council and Parliament now underway, an approved final text should in theory be imminent. However, the Council and the Parliament still have significant differences of opinion given their respective positions, and must still take on board the concerns of the industry, which is generally skeptical about the likely success of the code in creating a sensible framework for investment.
Event: Global Broadband Futures
On 13 November 2017, Assembly participated in the inaugural Global Broadband Futures event in Sydney, Australia organised jointly by CommsDay and The National Broadband Network (nbn). The conference brought together speakers from Australia (nbn), Germany (DT), South Korea (KT), UK (Openreach) and New Zealand (Chorus), with the aim being to share international experience of the rollout of fibre broadband networks.
Ofcom pushes ahead with 2.3/3.4GHz spectrum award despite industry concerns
Ofcom has finalised how the 2.3 and 3.4GHz spectrum will be awarded and in doing so has decided on two different restrictions on bidders. The auction timetable expects bidding to begin as early as late October 2017, but given the strongly held positions by some in the industry, that looks ambitious.
