 |
Responses to
the consultation document - Use of 1781.7-1785.0 / 1786.7-1880.0 MHz Bands
for the provision of GSM 1800 telecommunications services |
The Radiocommunications Agency launched
a consultation exercise on 28 April 2003 to seek views on the use of the 1781.7-1785.0
/ 1876.7-1880.0 MHz bands for the provision of GSM 1800 telecommunications services.
Views on the following scenarios were sought:
- scenario 1 – to make the
spectrum available, on a national or regional basis, to either the existing
GSM operators or to new entrants for the provision of public mobile telecommunication
services;
- scenario 2 – to make the
spectrum available for short-range, low-power use on a licence-exempt basis;
and
- scenario 3 – to retain the
guard band and leave the paired band unassigned, in order to assist migration
of GSM 1800 to future IMT-2000 use and to facilitate Testing and Development
licensing.
The Agency received 28 responses
to this consultation, of which three were confidential. Responses fell into
two main groups: those who favoured scenarios 1 and 3, and those who favoured
scenario 2.
Respondents who favoured scenarios
1 and 3 made the following points:
- A substantial amount of spectrum
has already been made available for licence-exempt use.
- Decisions on spectrum trading
need to be made first.
- The decision on this band should
ensure that the entire GSM 1800 spectrum can be made available for future
IMT-2000 use at an appropriate time as part of a carefully planned migration.
- Scenario 2 would create difficulties
for the migration to 3G.
- A time limit should be imposed
to allow migration to 3G.
- Dual 2G/3G terminals will continue
to be in circulation after the 2G market has declined because of the international
dimension – so licence-exempt users will still be able to source equipment.
- GSM use only should be mandated.
Respondents who favoured scenario
2 made the following points:
- This spectrum is unique in that
it is mature GSM spectrum, which could be used for self-provided applications
in the UK where there are already mass-market terminals available and in circulation.
- Some form of zero-cost/low-cost
licensing could be beneficial.
- No set time limit needs to be
imposed, but spectrum should be made available for at least five years with
a transition period of three years.
- GSM use only should be mandated.
- Public use should be permitted.
- Testing and Development could
operate alongside licence-exempt use.
- There is not enough spectrum
to benefit existing GSM operators or for a new wide-area GSM operator.
The Radiocommunications Agency thanks
all those who responded to the consultation. All views received will be considered
carefully. The Agency is planning to conduct an economic and market study to
consider the suggestions made for the licence exempt scenario and compare these
with the wide-area cellular scenario. We intend to be able to conclude this
study and announce a decision on the use of the 1781.7-1785.0 MHz and 1786.7-1880.0
MHz bands in the early part of 2004.
The respondents and their
responses are listed below. Responses that were marked as confidential are not
included.
Download responses in 
Word and 
PDF format.
