Spectrum Harmonization of the 700 Mhz band for LTE

Spectrum Harmonization of the 700 Mhz band for LTE by Roberto Young – GM, Engineering & Planning

Belize Telemedia Limited • . Roadmap to LTE • . LTE 700 Mhz Options • . Regulatory Collaboration • . Way Forward

BTL Background • In the 1980s there existed two companies in the Telecommunications Industry - Cable and Wireless PLC - Belize Telecommunications Authority (BTA) • BTA was incorporated in April 1987 as the Belize Telecommunications Limited (BTL) - Assets and Liabilities of BTA were vested into BTL.

BTL Background cont’d • Cable and Wireless PLC license to provide the International Services was not renewed. • The Belize Telecommunications Act of 1987 was established • BTL was granted a 15 years exclusive License to provide the National and International Telecommunication Services - Modernization of National Network - Modernization of the International Network

BTL Background cont’d • The Belize Telecommunications Act, 2002 - Advent of Competition - BTL obtains a 15 year license to continue to provide the National and International Telecommunication Services - BTL was not alone • The Belize Telecommunications Vesting Act, 1987 - Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL)

Roadmap to LTE • BTL was providing our Digicel Mobile Service using AMPS and GSM Edge technology. • There was a need to expand the capacity of our existing network • There was a need to expand the network to other unserved areas • Our Customers were asking for an enhances experience on their mobile network • BTL is the leader in this industry

Roadmap to LTE cont’d • BTL and Ericsson entered into a contractual agreement for Ericsson to design, engineer and supply a Single Carrier, 850 Mhz WCDMA, HSPA+ 21 Mbps per Sector mobile network so that BTL can provide its enhanced Digicel Services. • This meant that BTL required more 850 Mhz bandwidth as the WCDMA required a 5Mhz bandwidth carrier. • A Frequency Spectrum Authorization Application was made for BTL providing a roadmap to LTE. - 2. 5 Mhz bandwidth in the 850 Mhz Band - 18 Mhz bandwidth in the 700 Mhz Band

Roadmap to LTE cont’d • BTL was operating an AMPS technology (obsolete)and a GSM technology in the 850 Mhz band • With the HSPA+ requiring a 5 Mhz carrier in the 850 Mhz band a rollout plan was put in place. • This then established our Roadmap to LTE in three Phases • Phase 1: GSM and AMPS co-existing in the 850 Mhz band • Phase 2: GSM and HSPA+ co-existing in the 850 Mhz band • Phase 3: GSM and HSPA+ co-existing in the 850 Mhz band with LTE existing in the 700 Mhz band

Roadmap to LTE cont’d • Phase 1 Source: BTL Frequency Spectrum Authorization Application, June 2011

Roadmap to LTE cont’d 700 Mhz Source: awt-global.com

Roadmap to LTE cont’d • 700 Mhz Source: awt-global.com

Roadmap to LTE cont’d 700 Mhz Source: www.fcc.gov/rulemaking

LTE Options • US 700 Mhz Band Plan - As identified in earlier slide 12 • APT (Aisa Pacific Telecommunity) 700 Mhz Band Plan Source: Wikipedia

LTE Options cont’d • Is there an ITU version that we should also be looking for that will be truly Global? • How is the Caribbean Frequency Harmonization for the 700 Mhz proceeding?

LTE Options cont’d • LTE - An enhanced experience using the HSPA+ has caused customers to demand higher data download speeds for improved experience with various Apps. - Data use has increased ten fold since the soft launch in December 2012 and we expect that it will continue to increase exponentially - US TV channels portray the US Service Providers Networks allowing Mobile TV and Video Conferencing - Belizeans in the US facilitating latest “Smartphone” devices

LTE Options cont’d • Migration to LTE is inevitable The Market plays a key role in this direction but we will be able to take advantage that it comes with: - Spectral efficiency - Major improvements in download speeds - Reduced latency • Which Band Plan will BTL deploy?

Regulatory Collaboration • Belize is on the Central American mainland and is surrounded - by Mexico to the north - by Guatemala to the west and south - by the Caribbean Sea to the East • Honduras is not far away to our South East • Jamaica is directly to the East of us

Regulatory Collaboration cont’d • Belize Source: www.belize.com

Regulatory Collaboration cont’ • BTL has chosen to deploy LTE in the 700 Mhz band - building penetration ability - 10 Mhz bandwidth allocations are supported • Being surrounded by Mexico and Central American countries we must be aware of what they are using the 700 Mhz band due to our close proximity • Jamaica on the other hand will not affect us due to the distance away

Regulatory Collaboration cont’d • In general it was earlier understood that the Central and South American countries were leaning towards adopting the APT 700 Mhz Band Plan • The 4G Americas white paper “The Benefits of Digital Dividend” – September 2012 indicates that -the Mexican Regulator adopted the APT 700 Mhz Band Plan in 2012 - Guatemala is still using the band for TV - Honduras is still using the band for TV - Belize has no listing (but we know it is allocated for TV presently)

Regulatory Collaboration cont’d • Belize Source: ambergriscaye.com

Regulatory Collaboration cont’d • The PUC is encouraged to allocate the use of the 700 Mhz band of interest for Mobile Broadband Services - technology neutrality • The PUC is further encouraged to not declare which 700 Mhz Band Plan will be adopted by Belize - Further engagement is necessary between the regional regulators - Further engagement is necessary between the mobile service providers

Regulatory Collaboration cont’d - Further engagement is necessary between the regional regulators and the respective providers

Way forward • As BTL progresses with its plan to deploy LTE in Belize there must be a coordinated effort between BTL and the PUC • There will need to be a Cross Border Coordination between - Belize and Mexico - Belize and Guatemala • There will also need to be a Coordination between Belize and Honduras across the sea

THANK YOU!

Spectrum Harmonization of the 700 Mhz band for LTE