New spectrum historically drives demand
The need for spectrum has grown with each generation of mobile technology. The initial LTE release (3GPP release 8) was capable of channel sizes up to 20MHz. As consumer behavior shifted to data-centric applications, the requirement and need for spectrum evolved and increased. 3GPP release 10 added carrier aggregation that was the first step towards breaking the Gbps barrier on mobile networks. The higher available speeds drove user behavior, and we have seen continual increased consumption of data-intensive content. Consumers use their smartphone today for emails, social media, shopping, watching movies and so forth. Globally, the average usage per smartphone now exceeds 10GB (Ericsson Mobility Report).
The IMT-2020 requirement is targeting peak data rates of up to 20Gbps and average user data rates of 100Mbps. For mobile providers to deliver on this requires large channel bandwidths. 3GPP release 15 specifications (the first full set of 5G standards) added support for new spectrum and channel sizes up to 400MHz. This new spectrum and bandwidth enables 5G to provide a platform for new use cases. On top of the bandwidth, capabilities such as edge computing, network slicing, wireless wide area networks and much more will enable 5G to act as a catalyst for transforming existing industries and global economies.
The need for mid-band spectrum
For service providers to deploy and deliver these capabilities to their customer, they require timely access to mid-band spectrum. Mid-band spectrum provides the sweet spot between both coverage and capacity. It reduces the number of base stations required by many fold compared with deployments in high bands and will also extend coverage beyond urban and suburban to rural communities.
Timely availability of mid-band will result in CSPs’ ability to provide a platform for innovation, as well as contribute towards enhancement of economic activity through new use cases. Regulatory bodies globally should ensure availability of mid-band spectrum.
The majority of current 5G deployments across the globe have leveraged mid-band spectrum in the range of 3,300–4,200MHz. Regulatory bodies should focus on providing unencumbered access to this key band, with contiguous spectrum of 100MHz or more per CSP. Licensed spectrum that covers wide geographic areas that allows higher transmit power will be the key to success for 5G deployments.
Harmonized spectrum also plays a critical role in maximizing efficiencies that facilitate interoperability and delivering benefits for equipment and device ecosystems. Economies of scale help with production efficiencies and reduce overall cost of radio networks and devices. As regulatory bodies make decisions for spectrum allocation, they should focus on harmonized spectrum for 5G. The latest GSA report shows 105 providers that are actively deploying or have launched 5G networks using band n77 (3,300–4,200MHz) or n78 (3,300–3,800MHz) .
Recent mid-band auctions
Regulators are recognizing the value of mid-band spectrum and are diligently working towards making spectrum available to the CSPs.
The recent C-band auction in the U.S. raised a record-breaking USD 81 billion in bids and is a testament to how CSPs value mid-band spectrum. The auction covered frequencies in the range of 3,700–3,980MHz. A total of 280MHz will be made available in two phases. Phase 1 will clear the bottom 100MHz of spectrum in the top 46 Partial Economic Areas (PEAs) by December 2021. The remaining spectrum will be cleared by December 2023.
In the U.S., another 100MHz of spectrum in the range of 3,450–3,550MHz will be auctioned in October 2021. This spectrum will require coordination between the current incumbents and commercial operations in designated areas.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), the Canadian spectrum regulatory body, has also been active in identifying and designating new spectrum for 5G services. Canada's recent auction of 3,450–3,650MHz spectrum, which is key for next generation 5G networks, ended in July and generated a record $US 7.2 billion. The 3,650–3,900MHz band auction is set for the first quarter of 2023.
In Mexico, 5G services have not yet been launched, while the regulators make spectrum available for 5G.
Other countries have already taken action to make this spectrum available and we expect that this will continue. It is exciting to see this new spectrum coming to market across so many countries, knowing the impact it will make as it is deployed and as it fuels the continuous demand for wireless services.
5G Americas recently published a new paper covering spectrum: Mid-Band Spectrum & the Coexistence with Radio Altimeters. This paper provides the reader with an overview of the spectrum usage and the latest regulatory activities within North America on spectrum for 5G and coexistence with radio altimeters.
