Dynamic Spectrum Alliance Q3 2020 Newsletter

Health, safety and wellbeing has been a top priority for many of us this year. We are focused on looking after each other and supporting one another to succeed during difficult times. Many people I have spoken to in the industry care very much about continuing to progress dynamic spectrum access as connectivity has played a critical role in keeping people informed, safe and working during this year.

We made the decision to host our Eighth Annual Dynamic Spectrum Alliance Global Summit as a virtual event this coming November 3-5, 2020. I am proud that we are able to host a platform for leading industry collaboration and discussion to take place from every corner of the world to support the progression of dynamic spectrum access ideas and methods, despite the current challenges we face.

This year has demonstrated great momentum for wider dynamic spectrum access. We have celebrated both the US and the UK in approving the unlicensed use of the 6 GHz band. This marks a significant milestone in supporting next-generation Wi-Fi and wireless innovation, as well as the growing demand for capacity.

Alongside this achievement, we have engaged with regulators and spectrum authorities worldwide in industry discussions during virtual events, webinars and podcasts. We hosted our first DSA webinar, sponsored by Microsoft, which facilitated a TVWS Workshop and gathered two panels of experts who shared valuable insights and highlighted the importance of the TVWS ecosystem. In September, we hosted our second DSA Webinar sponsored by Loon, about Dynamic Spectrum in Aerospace Networks. Thank you to everyone who joined.

There has been no slowing down as for progression and advocacy this year. Having submitted more than 20 filings in the past few months, it is important that we continue to drive further action so further dynamic spectrum access can serve the billions of unconnected individuals in the world. We must discuss, share and collaborate now to support the digital economies across countries worldwide.

I hope you will join us at our virtual DSA Global Summit this November as it continues to serve as a key industry event to facilitate this important discussion. There will be sessions to directly address how recent events have changed the outlook for dynamic sharing regulatory models and new technologies and solutions will be discussed which overcome the current challenges present in today’s world.

I look forward to speaking to you soon and wish everyone health and happiness in the meantime. Stay safe!

As a cross-industry organization, the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance works to engage with regulators and government officials to promote the adoption of legal and regulatory frameworks that facilitate dynamic access to radio spectrum.

The Regulatory Affairs Work Group continues to develop policy positions for ratification by the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, draft documents for submission to regulatory agencies and develop high-level positions on critical issues related to dynamic spectrum sharing.

Recent filings include:

• April 2020: DSA Comments to Communication Authority of Kenya on TVWS Framework
• April 2020: DSA Reply Comments to FCC on the use of the 5.850-5.925 GHz Band
• May 2020: DSA Comments to FCC on TVWS NPRM
• June 2020: DSA Reply Comments to FCC on TVWS NPRM
• June 2020: DSA Contribution to ECO Consultation on Telecommunications Licensing Directive
• June 2020: DSA Comments to AMCA Five Year Spectrum Outlook
• June 2020: DSA FNPRM Comments to FCC on Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band
• July 2020: DSA Reply Comments to FCC on FNPRM 6 GHz Band
• July 2020: DSA Opposition to 6 GHz Reconsideration Petitions
• August 2020: DSA Comments to ANATEL on Public Consultation 48 – White Spaces
• August 2020: DSA Comments to FCC on 70_80_90 GHz
• August 2020: DSA Comments to ANATEL on Proposed Regulatory Agenda for 2021-2022 Biennium
• August 2020: DSA Comments to ANATEL on Public Consultation 51

Earlier this year, Facebook conducted several studies into the impact of its connectivity investments and initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa and ASEAN, as well as Latin America. Within these, the challenges faced by local business and citizens due to connectivity gaps and the readiness of the digital ecosystem were addressed, promoting internet connectivity programs to make connectivity more affordable and accessible.

Facebook and the Economist Intelligence Unit also released their 4th annual Inclusive Internet Index (3i). In a blog, Robert Pepper found that household connectivity in lower-middle income countries grew nearly 12% in the past year and has grown by 65% since 2014, improving career prospects for thousands. This, in part, is thanks to mobile network operators who have established more viable business models to improve accessibility to connectivity. However, there is huge gender gap in these statistics, with men 13% more likely than women to gain internet access. While closing, this gap still urgently needs to be addressed to achieve full inclusivity and enrichment of the digital economy. Facebook is working with partners around the world to achieve this, bringing fast, reliable internet to those 3.5 billion without it. Its investments will deliver economic benefits of over $200 billion USD over the next five years, creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs regionally.

Federated Wireless recently announced that it has secured $13.7 million in additional Series C funding from existing investors Allied Minds (LSE: ALM) and Pennant Investors. This funding will accelerate expansion and adoption of the company’s partnership with Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure to offer Connectivity-as-a-Service, announced in February. It will also provide a new path to 1,000 MHz of spectrum for private wireless networks by expansion into the 6 GHz band for 5G services.

The Federated Wireless private wireless offering Connectivity-as-a-Service (CaaS) enables enterprises to order the business connectivity services they need, with a single click from AWS or Azure, with Federated Wireless delivering and managing the network. A broad range of solutions and partners enables choice with proven reliability. It offers cloud scalability with visibility into network performance and usage so IT management can set granular network policies while maintaining secure control of their networks and data. It does so at a low cost with the high-performance and reliability of 4G/5G technology delivered at enterprise Wi-Fi costs.

Building on its leadership in managing 150 MHz of CBRS shared spectrum, the Federated Wireless CaaS offering will expand to provide a path to 1,000 MHz of shared spectrum, taking advantage of both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G in the 6 GHz band to enable data transfers of up to 10 Gbps. Read the full press release here.

RADWIN has recently announced that Onatel – the leading service provider in Burkina Faso – chose RADWIN’s JET DUO base station which supports both the 5.xGHz and 3.5GHz bands in a single enclosure. With RADWIN’s JET DUO, Onatel can fulfill the high-speed requirements of SMEs and large corporate customers, amongst them banks, mining companies and government offices. Onatel recently received an Innovation award from the Burkina Faso government for their RADWIN-powered network.