700 Mhz Spectrum Usage

heavydawson

Does anyone know if any of the operators have started rolling out the 700/2300(TS1)/2600(TS1)Mhz spectrum? The spectrum license specified Feb 14th as their commencement date:

Duration of Licences

5. (1) The commencement date of a MBSA2 Liberalised Use Licence shall

be specified in the Licence and, in respect of spectrum rights of use for:

(a) 700 MHz Duplex Blocks shall be 14 February 2022 or such other

date as may be specified by the Commission;

(b) 2.1 GHz Band Blocks in Time Slice 1 shall be 16 October 2022;

(c) 2.3 GHz Band Blocks and 2.6 GHz Band Blocks in Time Slice 1

shall be 14 February 2022 or such other date as may be specified

by the Commission;

(d) 2.1 GHz Band Blocks, 2.3 GHz Band Blocks and 2.6 GHz Band

Blocks in Time Slice 2 shall be 12 March 2027.

(2) A MBSA2 Liberalised Use Licence, unless it has been withdrawn or had

its duration reduced under Regulation 7, shall in any event expire:

(a) in the case of 700 MHz Duplex Blocks on 13 February 2042;

(b) in the case of 2.1 GHz Band Blocks, 2.3 GHz Band Blocks and

2.6 GHz Band Blocks in Time Slice 1 on 11 March 2027; and

(c) in the case of 2.1 GHz Band Blocks, 2.3 GHz Band Blocks and

2.6 GHz Band Blocks in Time Slice 2 on 13 February 2042.

(3) The commencement date and expiry date of a MBSA2 Spectrum Lease

Licence shall be set by the Commission and specified in the MBSA2 Spectrum

Lease Licence. A MBSA2 Spectrum Lease Licence to which these Regulations

apply shall in any event expire on or before 13 February 2042.

(4) The commencement date and expiry date of a MBSA2 Preparatory

Licence shall be set by the Commission and specified in the MBSA2 Preparatory

Licence.

(5) The commencement date and expiry date of a MBSA2 2.3 GHz Band

Transition Licence shall be set by the Commission and specified in the MBSA2

2.3 GHz Band Transition Licence.

Source:

https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2021/si/264/made/en/pdf

Hoping the repeater manufacturers will accommodate the new frequencies in the coming 12-24 months.

The Cush

(a) 700 MHz Duplex Blocks shall be 14 February 2022 or such other

date as may be specified by the Commission;

The multiband auction hasn't taken place yet, still awaiting judgement from the High Court in the case taken by Three Ireland against Comreg in relation to certain aspects of their auction Decision.

Reserved Judgment was due to be delivered at the end of November but was adjourned, not sure why, but further submissions were lodged in November including the day prior to the listed delivery date, maybe the judge required further time to evaluate the submissions prior to delivery of the judgement. It was listed for last week but doesn't appear anything happened.

The 700 MHz band licences have a hard expiry date of 13th Feb 2042, any delays in carrying out the auction and awarding the licences means the MNOs will have a reduced duration.

In the mean time I believe the band is being used by the 3 MNOs on temporary (rolling) 3-month Covid 19 spectrum licences, the current ones expire April 1st.

heavydawson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118671327#Comment_118671327

I was wondering what happened with that court case. The last news report I found on it was back in june

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/retail-and-services/three-claims-spectrum-decision-will-lead-to-serious-distortion-of-competition-1.4582317

. Where did you get the update from November? The courts service website?

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118671677#Comment_118671677

Yep, high court case 2021/9/MCA

heavydawson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118673260#Comment_118673260

Is this the best source of info?

https://www.csol.ie/ccms/web/high-court-search/case-details/2021/9/MCA

It's very sparse. Are the orders/submissions not publicly available?

The Cush

Only the judgement is made available at some point after delivery.

ED E

Band 28 right?

https://www.cellmapper.net/map?MCC=272&MNC=5&type=LTE&latitude=53.34448814474007&longitude=-6.291264757824298&zoom=13.155375565698414&showTowers=true&showTowerLabels=true&clusterEnabled=true&tilesEnabled=true&showOrphans=false&showNoFrequencyOnly=false&showFrequencyOnly=false&showBandwidthOnly=false&DateFilterType=Last&showHex=false&bands=28&showVerifiedOnly=false&showUnverifiedOnly=false&showLTECAOnly=false&showENDCOnly=false&showBand=0&showSectorColours=false&mapType=roadmap

https://www.cellmapper.net/map?MCC=272&MNC=3&type=LTE&latitude=53.335363510719475&longitude=-6.293256941146861&zoom=13.155375565698414&showTowers=true&showTowerLabels=true&clusterEnabled=true&tilesEnabled=true&showOrphans=false&showNoFrequencyOnly=false&showFrequencyOnly=false&showBandwidthOnly=false&DateFilterType=Last&showHex=false&bands=28&showVerifiedOnly=false&showUnverifiedOnly=false&showLTECAOnly=false&showENDCOnly=false&showBand=0&showSectorColours=false&mapType=roadmap

https://www.cellmapper.net/map?MCC=272&MNC=1&type=LTE&latitude=53.32984085125403&longitude=-6.287091560749208&zoom=13.155375565698414&showTowers=true&showTowerLabels=true&clusterEnabled=true&tilesEnabled=true&showOrphans=false&showNoFrequencyOnly=false&showFrequencyOnly=false&showBandwidthOnly=false&DateFilterType=Last&showHex=false&bands=28&showVerifiedOnly=false&showUnverifiedOnly=false&showLTECAOnly=false&showENDCOnly=false&showBand=0&showSectorColours=false&mapType=roadmap

heavydawson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118675596#Comment_118675596

That's superb! Thanks @ED E

heavydawson

Looks like the "trials" are live in my area 👍

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677165#Comment_118677165

This is the temporary Covid spectrum licences, at some point they will end. The auction will take place and the spectrum allocation will take place.

Three are allocated 2x10 MHz under the current temporary licences but will only be able to bid for 1x10 MHz slot due to the <1 GHz spectrum cap, one of the issues before the high court.

The Cush

Current 700 MHz temporary allocations

• eir - 703–713 MHz / 758–768 MHz
• Three - 713–723 MHz / 768–778 MHz
• Vodafone - 723–733 MHz / 778–788 MHz

clohamon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118673396#Comment_118673396

You could try putting last year's court direction to the test once the order has been made.

1) In the interests of transparency and consistent with the principle of open justice, any member of the public may seek access to the written submissions provided to the Court by parties in proceedings in accordance with the following Practice Direction.

2) This Practice Direction applies exclusively to written submissions in civil proceedings provided to the Court at a hearing by any party and in respect of which an Order has been made by a Judge of the High Court giving Judgment in those proceedings that same be made available to members of the public on the terms set out in this Practice Direction.

3) No Order as referred to at paragraph 2 above shall be made in cases heard in camera, or cases where there are reporting restrictions in place pursuant to statute.....

10) A copy of Written Submissions for Public Release in any given case may be sought by a member of the public by sending a request to the Principal Registrar at the Central Office. That request should identify the name of the proceedings, the record number of the proceedings, and, if available, the date of Judgment and the name of the Trial Judge.

The Cush

In today's Sunday Times, MNO lobbying for tax relief on future spectrum auction

clohamon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118706639#Comment_118706639

Hard to know where to start with this. It's a bit like a mobster's shake-down.

Does anyone have a reference to the "expressed policy decision [by Government] taken in 2003" ?

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118720561#Comment_118720561

Found it, Finance Act 2003 amendment to the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, Part 29 Chapter 4 Section 769. Tax relief for the purchase of spectrum licences is not allowed under this amendment.

Amendment of Chapter 4 (transmission capacity rights) of Part 29 of Principal Act.

20.—(1) Chapter 4 of Part 29 of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) in section 769A(1), by inserting the following after the definition of “capacity rights”:

“ ‘control’ shall be construed in accordance with section 432;

‘qualifying expenditure’ means capital expenditure incurred on the purchase of capacity rights, but does not include expenditure incurred on or after 6 February 2003 which consists of a licence fee or other payment paid to the Commission for Communications Regulation in respect of a licence or permission granted by that Commission on or after that date under—

(a) the Wireless Telegraphy Acts 1926 to 1988, or

(b) the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 ;”,.

clohamon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118721143#Comment_118721143

(great sleuthing there btw)

ComReg have extended the Temporary licences for another 3 months possibly six from 2nd April, but the long term auctions may happen in the meantime. No specific coverage conditions and fees of €100.

ComReg proposes to implement the same licensing framework as set out in Document 21/96 and S.I. 501 of 2021 for the period 2 April 2022 to 1 October 2022, with the exception that the 2.6 GHz band would not be included...

....ComReg expects that this will be the final temporary ECS licensing framework on the basis of the Temporary Situation.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118744129#Comment_118744129

Short consultation followed by issuing of 3 months licences, fairly routine now after 2 years.

Likely to be the final round of temporary licences, up to 6 months

• Based on current information, ComReg expects that this will be its final proposal to put in place a further temporary licensing framework on the basis of the Temporary Situation,
• the MNOs should now begin to make transition plans and take actions in advance of the end of the presently proposed temporary spectrum licences in light of the Temporary Situation,

Temporary licences will not guarantee MNOs any future spectrum rights post MBSA2 auction

• Such temporary licensing frameworks were and are intended solely to address the Temporary Situation and are entirely without prejudice to the award of spectrum rights of use in the MBSA2 

The Cush

High court case 2021/9/MCA, adjourned again last Friday.

clohamon

Just looking again at the hopeless coverage conditions from the ComReg Decision. Which seemingly include all spectrum bands cumulatively.

85% population coverage = 30% geographic coverage (see map below, using CSO small areas)

92% population coverage = 50% geographic coverage

The Cush

2021/9/MCA before the high court last week on the commercial court motions list, Order made and adjourned

Back before the court again on July 7th on the commercial court motions list.

Not sure which side or judge is submitting the motion and for what reason. More than 6 months now since the judge reserved judgement and 18 months since this came before the court.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058234170/700-mhz-spectrum-usage

Hoping the repeater manufacturers will accommodate the new frequencies in the coming 12-24 months.

Stelladoradus have a range of repeaters that now include the 700 + 2600 MHz bands.

Ofcom in the UK recently allowed the use of 700 MHz band repeaters, Irish regulations not updated yet.

heavydawson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119168003#Comment_119168003

Thanks, looks like they're marketing them as the iRepeater. Pity they don't include the 2300 Mhz band. I guess there's only so much they can practically wedge in there!

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119168979#Comment_119168979

The 2300 MHz band is TDD spectrum like the 3400-3800 MHz band, so will likely be used for FWA primarily. The 6 bands covered by repeaters 700/800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz is paired FDD spectrum.

They also have a 700 MHz home multi-band repeater in their recent brochure, SD-RP1002-VLGDW 700/800/900/1800/2100, not available to purchase here yet it appears (on sale in Spain €1610). Could be an upgrade of their current SD-RP1002-LGDW 800/900/1800/2100. Probably see further 700 MHz versions as the band becomes available.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119160036#Comment_119160036

High Court 7th July 2022

IN COURT 2 (Capacity 44) MR JUSTICE MCDONALD AT 12.00 O'CLOCK

FOR HEARING (REMOTE)

2021/9 MCA | THREE IRELAND (HUTCHISON) LTD & ANOR -V- COM REG(App's stay application)

2021/9 MCA | THREE IRELAND (HUTCHISON) LTD & ANOR -V- COM REG |(FM)(Dirs)

High Court 8th July 2022

IN COURT 2 (Capacity 44) MR JUSTICE MCDONALD AT 11.00 O'CLOCK

FOR HEARING

2021/9 MCA | THREE IRELAND (HUTCHISON) LTD & ANOR -V- COM REG(App's stay application)

2021/9 MCA | THREE IRELAND (HUTCHISON) LTD & ANOR -V- COM REG |(FM)(Dirs)

The Cush

The reason for the court hearing, before a different judge - Three Ireland seeks stay on Comreg's July 25 broadband spectrum auction (Irish Examiner)

Comreg opposes the stay and says the award process should proceed to ensure the 5G roll-out goes ahead

Mobile phone network operator Three Ireland is asking the High Court to put a stay on the communications regulator's move to go ahead later this month with a new auction system for the awarding of spectrum bands for mobile and wireless broadband services.

Three is seeking the stay in circumstances where it awaits a judgment on its main challenge to Comreg's December 2020 decision to hold a multi-brand spectrum award which will assign rights across four spectrum brands for the next 20 years.

Comreg opposes the stay and says the award process should proceed to ensure the 5G roll-out goes ahead and meets EU targets to make spectrum available throughout the State.

Comreg's 2020 decision provides for issuing new rights, in the 700 MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands, by way of a “combinatorial clock auction” whereby participants bid on generic lots of spectrum rather than individual lots.

Three Ireland (Hutchison) Ltd and Three Ireland Services (Hutchison) Ltd, part of the CK Hutchison Holdings multinational conglomerate, claims this would put it at a competitive disadvantage. Three sought an order that the court set aside certain parts of that decision on grounds that it has made significant error or errors of fact and/or law and/or assessment.

Comreg denied the claims and a judgment on that appeal is awaited.

In the meantime, Comreg said it intends to hold the auction on July 25 next with an October 2022 completion date.

Three submission

On Thursday, Three asked Mr Justice Denis McDonald to order a stay on Comreg commencing the main stage of the auction process pending the outcome of the main appeal to the High Court. Vodafone and Eir are notice parties.

Brian Kennelly SC, in submissions on behalf of Three, said if a stay is not granted it was possible that the judgment on the main appeal "could land" in the middle of the auction process which would create great uncertainty in the market. Vodafone and Eir were rather unusually supporting the stay application although they are main competitors, he said.

If the auction goes ahead, there is very likely to be strategic bidding which would cause a major prejudice to Three's ability to compete in the market and also harm consumers, he said. A system of compensation for losses Three incurs, as devised by Comreg, "will not fix that", he said.

If the pending judgment results in the auction process having to be re-run, that will create further uncertainty, he said.

Comreg submission

Margaret Gray SC, for Comreg, said her client believes the status quo should pertain and the auction should proceed, not least to ensure the 5G roll-out. Comreg believes the issue of the stay falls or rises when one looks at whether there was serious and irreparable harm to Three. 

Three had not met the test for that, counsel said. Any harm there would be would be financial and that is capable of being repaired, she said. The public interest required the auction proceed and this far outweighed the harm claimed by Three, she said.

Vodafone submission

Niall Buckley BL, for Vodafone, said while his client supported Comreg in the main case, it believed there should be a short stay on the auction. The critical point was the timing of the auction and the uncertainty because the main judgment is awaited, he said.

This tipped the balance in favour of a short deferral of the auction to allow the judgment to be delivered, he said. The hearing continues.

Also here - Three Ireland seeks stay on auction of mobile and broadband spectrum bands – The Irish Times

The Cush

Comreg this week published what is expected to be its final Covid temporary spectrum licensing information notice. According to the notice no further licences will be issued beyond Oct 1st this year.

Having already indicated this in the current round consultation we now have further clarity of their reasoning in that they plan to begin the MBSA auction at the end of this month and complete it in Oct. In the consultation they said the following ...

in relation to the duration of any new temporary framework, .... ComReg would remind interested parties that it is progressing the MBSA2 award process, and it is possible that some spectrum rights could be assigned via the MBSA2 within the duration of the further temporary licensing framework proposed in this document.

It appears the original plan was to auction and award award the licences prior to the expiry of the current temporary licences in Oct but 3 Ireland may throw a spanner in the works with its motion to stay the auction until Justice O'Moore delivers his judgement on the main appeal.

COVID 19 Temporary Spectrum Licensing – July 2022 update and end of COVID-19 temporary spectrum licensing on 1 October 2022 | Commission for Communications Regulation (comreg.ie)

clohamon

Not hard to see why Vodafone and Meteor are supporting this. Continuation of spectrum fees at €100/qtr suits them fine.

ComReg's 5g arguments, as reported, sound pretty weak given that they are only targets and, AFAIK, they're liberalised use (technology neutral) licenses.

Expensive CCA auctions, requiring teams of maths professors and game theory PhDs, create an obvious barrier to entry, as does effectively requiring exclusive rights of use.

The case for single RAN sharing, at least in the rural 96%, is stronger than ever; ComReg have deliberately learned nothing in twenty years. Despite lip service to coverage it's all about maximising spectrum fee revenue.

The Cush

Single RAN sharing, is this open RAN, trying to get my head around this new technology?

clohamon

One network with a single optimised mast topology and shared spectrum and equipment across all frequencies.

BEREC did some thinking aloud on various forms of sharing. Here's two.

https://berec.europa.eu/eng/document_register/subject_matter/berec/regulatory_best_practices/common_approaches_positions/8605-berec-common-position-on-infrastructure-sharing

https://berec.europa.eu/eng/document_register/subject_matter/berec/reports/8164-berec-report-on-infrastructure-sharing 

heavydawson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119315964#Comment_119315964

Had single RAN sharing been deployed effectively in any major market? Was aware of OpenRAN, but understood it to be mostly around not having vendor lock in for all the components. RAN sharing is new to me....

clohamon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119316518#Comment_119316518

BEREC call it Multi Operator Core Network (MOCN) sharing.

There's a summary of sharing types here on pp.11-13