Irish regulator ComReg has published a response to consultation and further consultation on a proposed multi-band spectrum award for the 700 MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands for mobile and wireless broadband (WBB) services. The consultation closes on 30 July.
It has also published five independent consultant reports alongside the consultation. These include a report on the potential design of the spectrum award; a reserve price benchmarking and minimum prices report (both from DotEcon); a report from technical consultant Plum Consulting London on the potential compatibility and co-existence measures that might be needed to support the co-existence of future WBB networks in the 2.6 GHz band with aeronautical radars in the 2.7 GHz band; a report from Plum examining the potential compatibility and co-existence measures that might be required to support the co-existence of future 2.3 GHz WBB networks with Eir's Rurtel network, and WLANs in the 2.4 GHz band; and finally a report from LS Telecom examining the various network deployment options and spectrum requirements for any future broadband public protection and disaster relief (BB-PPDR) deployments.
For the multi-band spectrum award, ComReg is proposing to award 470 MHz of harmonised spectrum rights in total. This would be a 46 percent increase in the harmonised spectrum assigned for WBB services provision in Ireland, and would allow the market to provide improved services to meet growing consumer demand for mobile data and new services.
ComReg is proposing to award these spectrum rights through an open, competitive award process, with existing operators and potential new entrants competing for the rights. The spectrum rights will be awarded on a technology- and service-neutral basis, with ComReg expecting this award to support advancements in current 4G services and delivery of new 5G services.
The licences will be valid for 15 years for rights in the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands, and for around 13 years for the 2.1 GHz band. The proposed spectrum fees will be set at a conservative level to encourage competition and discourage frivolous bidders. This means than final prices will be determined by bidders in the proposed auction, and not by ComReg. There will also be two sets of spectrum competition caps - one for the sub-1GHz spectrum and one for total spectrum holdings.
