6th EU Spectrum Management conference: read our review

The main themes which flashed most across the power points of presenters at the 6th EU Spectrum Management conference in Brussels last week were: asymmetry, re-farming, putting Europe first and 'special' users.

The asymmetry between uplink and downlink data requirements prompted a number of speakers (including Qualcomm and the EBU) to propose novel measures to increase download capacity by introducing downlink only networks. The broadcasters could be on to a winner here as this is fundamentally what their networks already do (though one speaker proposed using LTE for broadcasting to make such an integration easier!)

On re-farming, Vodafone, Adaptrium and others indicated that no matter how much spectrum you throw at mobile or wireless broadband, it will never be enough. Instead they suggested that allowing flexibility to re-use and share spectrum was a much better way of maximising the efficiency of use and bridging the capacity crunch.

Spectrum is clearly an important issue for the European Commission and both Commissioner Kroes and MEP Catherine Trautmann were keen to ensure that Europe remained at the forefront of spectrum innovation. Doing so with 27 Member States whose views have to be heard was seen as more difficult than somewhere such as the US or China whose markets are big and who have only a single regulator to deal with.

Several interlocutors such as the PMSE, defence, CNI and PPDR communities shouted loudly that the current swathe of spectrum awards via auctions was not necessarily in the public's best interest. They pointed out that the ability to get a high speed wireless internet connection would become next to pointless if there was no content, there was no electricity, they were flooded or had been invaded! Lots of people suggested that next year's conference should move away from a focus on mobile broadband and spectrum auctions and instead consider the needs of these other spectrum users.  And perhaps this is where spectrum policy (including the RSPP) has the most to offer, in ensuring that all spectrum users, regardless of their ability to pay huge sums at auctions, have access to the spectrum they need.

Contact the author

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it is Helios' Spectrum & Telecoms Director. He attended the 6th EU Spectrum Management conference in Brussels on 14-15 June.

http://uk.linkedin.com/in/rvwomersley