ComReg’s Objectives and Strategy on Spectrum for PPDR

1. ComReg’s Objectives and Strategy on Spectrum for PPDR Jim Connolly Senior Spectrum Advisor (ComReg)

2. Contents • Overview of Irish telecommunications market • ComReg’s objectives and strategy on spectrum for PPDR • Overview of ComReg • Objectives, Tasks and Balancing Act • Six Spectrum Management Strategy Objectives • Next Spectrum Strategy for 2014 – 2016 • Emergency services digital network in Ireland • European developments on BB PPDR and Ireland’s Interest • Conclusions

3. Overview of Irish Communications Market €3.7 billion p.a. in electronic comms revenues, nearly a further €1 billion in postal, total direct employment c. 25,000 Electronic communications market liberalised over 10 years ago, now over 50 operators actively competing Users have wide choice of devices (egsmartphones) and technology platforms (copper, wireless, fibre, cable) Technology, competition and regulation are driving down prices Firms are becoming more efficient and fighting harder for customers Litigious environment – challenges, appeals, enforcement actions, judicial reviews are common Challenge to maintain/extend investment (currently c. €420M p.a.) needed for next generation networks

4. ComReg’s Objectives and Strategy on Spectrum for PPDR

5. Overview of ComReg Commission for Communications Regulation established in Dec 2002 (Communications Act) – in place of ODTR (1997) Headed by Commission (currently 1 Commissioner (2 vacancies)), supported by expert staff (105) - engineers, economists, lawyers, accountants … ComReg regulates under Irish and EU law ComReg responsibilities in Electronic Communications and Postal sectors: Promote competition Safeguard consumer interest Facilitate investment, innovation, and efficient use of spectrum Ensure maintenance of Universal Service in telecoms and post 2009-2012 - New responsibilities: Emergency Call Answering Services, Domain Registry, Premium Rate Services Regulation, New postal directive and revised EU telecoms framework 5

6. ComReg: Objectives, Tasks and Balancing Act Key Objective ENSURE THE EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT AND USE OF THE RADIO FREQUENCY SPECTRUM Main Task FACILITATE ACCESS TO IRELAND’S RADIO SPECTRUM RESOURCE Balance the often competing requirements of all radio services Balance commercial and public policy requirements Enhance Ireland’s competitiveness: • Ensure adequate spectrum is made available • Assign spectrum to users who derive the highest economic benefit • Wireless Telegraphy (WT) Act 1926 governs possession and use of WT apparatus

7. Six Spectrum Management Strategy Objectives Spectrum Management Strategy (2011 – 2013) [ComReg Document 11/89] Support industry in responding toconsumer demands Support industry as a consumer of spectrum Directly support Consumers inChoice, Price and Quality of services Provideopportunities for competition Providespectrum on a timely basis and in a manner that encourages and facilitates industry innovation Develop and implement regulatory policies in accordance with international and national standards

8. Next Spectrum Strategy for 2014 - 2016 ComReg’s next spectrum strategy for 2014 onwards is due end 2013 May consider spectrum requirements for Broadband PPDR on the basis of developments at EU/ITU level? Draft strategy will be subject to Public Consultation Final strategy depends on responses from interested parties

9. Emergency services digital network in Ireland

10. Emergency services digital network in Ireland In July 2008 ComReg authorised the nationwide Managed Digital Radio Services Network using TETRA technology in the 380-400 MHz band (2x 3.8 MHz including air-ground-air comms) Network is provided and managed by a third party operator Intended to carry police, security and other emergency services (fire, ambulance, etc) – voice and narrowband comms Some services still on county council or own private (analogue) networks ComReg publishes an agreed Register of Users authorised to be carried on the network (Document 08/68 Rev) Frequencies coordinated with UK for border activities No approach as yet from public safety/security sector in Ireland for access to spectrum for mobile broadband applications

11. European developments on BB PPDR & Ireland’s interest

12. European developments on BB PPDR (1) European Commission Mandate • Mandate from EC to CEPT on 700 MHz band aims at: • developing technical conditions for the introduction of wireless broadband in the 700 MHz band by also studying the possibility of shared spectrum use with certain incumbent uses such as PMSE. • The technical conditions should ensure the deployment of wireless broadband services while also taking into account other priority areas of EU spectrum policy such as public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) • The results of this mandate should also complement high level deliverables of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG), in particular the RSPG Opinions on wireless broadband and common policy objectives for WRC-15

13. European developments on BB PPDR (2) EC Mandate (cont) • EC requested CEPT to take into account that use of the 700 MHz band should contribute to several important EU policy objectives, namely: • meet spectrum demand in support of specific Union policies, in particular wireless broadband, public safety, civil protection and disaster relief, and PMSE • In particular, broadband PPDR may in the future be deployed based on commercial WBB technology, which could result in synergies inter alia for spectrum designation and use. Different options for spectrum use are currently under consideration for broadband PPDR, including the 700 MHz band. • Final report requested by July 2016 (following WRC-15) • IRL participates in RSCOM (source of the mandate)

14. European developments on BB PPDR (3) CEPT • FM-Project Team 49 • Draft ECC Report 199 under public consultation until 12 April • Report addresses user requirements and spectrum needs for the future European broadband PPDR system • Envisages that a subsequent ECC Report will address possible harmonisation options to meet those needs • Focuses on the need for interoperability between European PPDR organisations • Assumes use of LTE - a widely used technology - to achieve economies of scale • 2x10 MHz is needed for the future European broadband PPDR wide area network (WAN) • ComReg active in WGFM (oversight of outputs from FM49)

15. European developments on BB PPDR (4) Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) • High Level representatives from Member States advising EC on spectrum policy • WG on Strategic Sectoral Spectrum Needs • RSPG examining from strategic point of view likely development of each sector listed in the RSPP in order to identify emerging spectrum needs and demand over the coming years. • Includes consideration of the potential for commercial or other types of networks to provide capacity for some of the identified policy areas • ComReg participates in RSPG, including WG on Strategic Sectoral Spectrum Needs. Also chairs WG on Wireless Broadband (not specifically looking at PPDR)

16. European developments on BB PPDR (5) RSPG (cont) • Draft Report (work in progress) includes elements on PPDR: • Assumes that future European BB PPDR system will consist of the following two basic elements: • Wide Area Network (WAN), and • Temporary additional capacity at scene of an incident • Notes (based on FM-PT49 work) that amount of spectrum for PPDR needs to be flexible to fit each country’s needs • Amount of spectrum to meet BB PPDR needs ranges from 0 MHz (if commercial networks used) to more than 2 x 10 MHz

17. Conclusions

18. Conclusions European regulators recognise need for spectrum for BB PPDR EC, CEPT and RSPG all studying issue ComReg actively involved in these activities at various levels Full picture re BB PPDR may not be known until post-WRC15 No approach as yet from public safety/security sector in Ireland for access to spectrum for mobile broadband applications. ComReg’s next spectrum strategy for 2014 onwards due end 2013: spectrum requirements for BB PPDR? – public consultation