The availability of spectrum for LTE

August 2010 | 38 pages | ID: A3E839133E7EN
Ovum

Abstracts

Around the world, Long-Term Evolution (LTE) – a standard for mobile broadband – is now a reality, having been commercially deployed in at least two countries (Sweden and Hong Kong). Although some substantial WiMAX deployments are already taking place globally, most existing mobile operators are in the planning stage of LTE deployment. There is now a widely-held view that multi-frequency LTE networks will be the norm, and that operators will use lower frequencies (such as 700/800MHz) to provide blanket coverage in rural areas and deep within buildings, and higher frequencies (such as 2.6GHz) for extra capacity in hot spots. Using Ovum’s recently developed database of spectrum awards, we identify where regulators are taking steps to make these bands available for new uses, and compare the success of the auctions where these bands have already been awarded.

Contents

Executive summary
In a nutshell
Ovum view
Key messages
Setting the scene
Spectrum bands to be used for LTE deployment
EU spectrum policy
Spectrum reform and technology neutrality
Spectrum re-farming
Common approach to the 800MHz band
Technical harmonization will have a positive economic impact
Allocation of the 800MHz band for wireless broadband
The 2.6GHz band
Country case studies
Australia
700MHz (694–820MHz) band
2.6GHz band
Brazil
700MHz (698–806MHz) band
2.6GHz band
Colombia
700MHz (698–806MHz) band
2.6GHz band
Denmark
800MHz (790–862MHz) band
2.6GHz band
Finland
800MHz (790–862MHz) band
2.6GHz band
Germany
800MHz (790–862MHz) band
2.6GHz band
Hong Kong
700MHz (698–806MHz) band
2.6GHz band
Japan
700MHz (698–806MHz) band
1.5GHz and 1.7GHz band
2.6GHz band
Mexico
700MHz (698–806MHz) band
2.6GHz band
Netherlands
800MHz (790–862MHz) band
2.6GHz band
New Zealand
700MHz (694–806MHz) band
2.6GHz band
Norway
800MHz (790–862MHz) band
2.6GHz band
Singapore
800MHz (790–862MHz) band
2.6GHz band
Spain
800MHz (790–862MHz) band
2.6GHz band
Sweden
800MHz (790–862MHz) band
2.6GHz band
Taiwan
700MHz (698–806MHz) band
2.6GHz band
US
700MHz (698–806MHz) band
2.6GHz band
Appendix
Methodology
Related research

List Of Tables

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Awards and planned awards of key spectrum bands
Table 2: Summary of 2.6GHz awards studied in this report
Table 3: Summary of 700/800MHz awards studied in this report
Table 4: Results of the 2.6GHz auction in Colombia
Table 5: Results of the 2.6GHz auction in Denmark
Table 6: Results of the 2.6GHz auction in Finland
Table 7: Results of the 800MHz auction in Germany
Table 8: Results of the 2.6GHz auction in Germany
Table 9: Spectrum bands released from switchover to digital TV
Table 10: Results of the 2.6GHz auction in Hong Kong
Table 11: Licenses for the 1.5GHz and 1.9GHz bands in Japan
Table 12: Licenses for the 2.6GHz band in Japan
Table 13: Results of the 2.6GHz auction in the Netherlands
Table 14: Results of the 2.3GHz and 2.6GHz auctions in New Zealand
Table 15: Results of the 2.6GHz auction in Norway
Table 16: Results of the 2.3GHz and 2.6GHz auctions in Singapore
Table 17: Results of the 2.6GHz auction in Sweden
Table 18: Results of the 2.6GHz auction in Taiwan
Table 19: Results of the 700MHz auction in the US

List Of Figures

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Value of paired and unpaired 2.6GHz spectrum
Figure 2: Current and future use of the 2.6GHz band in Brazil, in areas with MMDS concessions
Figure 3: Current and future use of the 2.6GHz band in Brazil, in areas without MMDS concessions
Figure 4: Plan for the digital dividend in Japan
Figure 5: Use of 2.6GHz band in Taiwan
Figure 6: The 2.6GHz band plan in the US