Dynamic Spectrum Alliance Q2 2023 Newsletter
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Keeping you updated about our activities! Here we highlight our latest work and focus on areas where we are empowering the next wave of spectrum access.
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Introduction from Martha Suárez
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As we reach the halfway point of another busy year, I’ve been looking back at all the great successes achieved over last couple of months.
Recently, the DSA has been very active across Europe. We were pleased to publish a joint industry letter together with a broad industry coalition. This group represents European entities ranging from SMEs, industry associations, Internet Service Providers, equipment manufacturers, chipset vendors, fibre operators, content application services, entertainment, consumer electronics retail, and any remote applications based on Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality technologies. This broad group of signatories is convinced of the power of Wi-Fi in conjunction with fiber, 5G and satellite technology to support Europe’s digital connectivity objectives and make the continent more sustainable. Our joint industry statement showcased why co-signatories believe that the EU Member States, in their discussions on the Council Decision on the EU’s position in the WRC-23, need to agree on a common position that will effectively leave the EU outside any International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) identification. This will allow the EU to retain its flexibility and sovereignty vis-à-vis other countries in the world, on the best use of the 6 GHz band.
Support for increased access to the 6 GHz band has showed no signs of slowing, with the LATAM region embracing the benefits of dynamic access. This is certainly true within Argentina, with the full 5925-7125 MHz frequency now available for unlicensed use. The decision by ENACOM to join nine other counties in the Americas region and open the entire 6 GHz band will provide 254 million households and 78% of the continents’ population with reliable connectivity and the tools for further evolution in Wi-Fi technologies, whilst providing a potential $63 billion economical boost by 2031. We have seen also decisions about opening the lower part of the 6 GHz band in South Africa, Singapore, and other countries in Africa and the Asia Pacific region. I am certain that many others are considering following suit and are set to enjoy an economic and technological boom that the full 6 GHz band has to offer.
Within the last quarter, I have once again been busy attending events across the globe, from Brussels to Mexico City to Punta Cana, then back to Europe for the CEPT 6G Workshop in Copenhagen. DSA has been well and truly everywhere! Over the last quarter I attended two CITEL meetings, the first of which was the meeting of the PCC.I in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic at which I was invited to speak as part of the ‘women leaders of the region in the digital era’ panel. The second key CITEL event was the PCC.II meeting in Mexico City, which discussed the major regional spectrum decisions as we head towards WRC-23 later this year. The meeting was a huge success, with more than six countries in the Americas region showing support for a ‘No Change (NOC)’ position on the 6 GHz band globally. This is vibrant, because in August at the next PCC.II meeting in Canada, we are expected to achieve an Interamerican Proposal for NOC in the 6425-7125 MHz band under study in WRC-23 Agenda Item 1.2. This means incumbent services can continue to operate as usual, while giving administrations the flexibility to enable unlicensed access in the 6 GHz band for applications such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 5G NR-U. This also means a step towards harmonization, enabling economies of scale for Wi-Fi devices that are used by billions worldwide.
Following Subtel-Chile’s request for an economic study concerning the benefits of unlicensed access to the 6 GHz band, DSA has compiled a report on the economic value of unlicensed use in the 6 GHz band. The report highlights that the designation of the full 6 GHz band for unlicensed use in Chile would generate an accumulated value between 2023 and 2031 equivalent to $45.18 billion. It compares the benefit with an eventual use of the 6425-7125 MHz band for IMT and clearly shows that unlicensed access in that portion has a higher economic impact. Unlicensed access in the entire band would facilitate the achievement of the ‘Zero Digital Gap Plan’, but also would be aligned with the spirit that has always characterized Chile as a county that promotes innovation, industry development, and competition.
I would also like to draw attention to the third anniversary of the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) decision to officially open the 6 GHz band for unlicensed use. This major decision not only resulted in the introduction of Wi-Fi 6E, powering users with faster speeds and increased capacity, but also the next generation of wireless in Wi-Fi 7. I would like to personally acknowledge the FCC for his happy occasion and thank all our members for their continued support and dedication in creating a wireless future for all.
Finally, this quarter we also published a joint letter with Wi-Fi Forward that urged the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) in the U.S. to take a balanced approach to the overall National Spectrum Strategy by promoting unlicensed and shared-licensed use. As NTIA seeks to identify 1,500 MHz of spectrum for more intensive use in increasingly crowed spectrum bands, these approaches will play an important role in the United States wireless and competitive future. Adopting a National Spectrum Strategy that supports innovation and competition through unlicensed and shared-licensed models will be critical.
Next quarter will be a certainly busy period with most of the regional groups having their last preparatory meetings before WRC-23, and DSA will be present at the heart of the discussions, ensuring that the voice of Wi-Fi and dynamic spectrum management systems is heard loud and clear! |
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Martha Suárez
DSA President
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Letter to NTIA in Support of Balanced Spectrum Policy
April 2023
As NTIA works to develop a National Spectrum Strategy, the undersigned 15 public interest organizations and industry leaders urge NTIA to expand access to spectrum for commercial use through a balanced variety of approaches that will promote competition and innovation. While our organizations represent a wide variety of perspectives, we all recognize the value of models supporting shared use, either through unlicensed use or licensed use that is dynamically shared on a priority basis. While exclusive-licensing plays a role in a balanced spectrum policy, an over-reliance on it serves the deployment decisions and business models of a small group of large, nationwide carriers. The innovation our country needs to make the most of spectrum moving forward will also require shared licensing and unlicensed spectrum.
Unlicensed spectrum offers low barriers to entry for innovators, enables easy access for consumers and supports the Wi-Fi connections over which most internet data travels. Shared-licensed spectrum supports competitive wireless networks and other innovative and diverse uses, while also allowing multiple types of users to coexist.
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May 2023
According to the Director of the Wireless Future Project at the New Americas Open Technology Institute, Michael Calabrese, DSMS are already proving successful at managing real-time assignments in shared bands and to protect incumbent operations (such as military and public safety systems) from harmful interference.
The institute’s new report highlights examples of licence-exempt sharing of the 6 GHz and other bands currently under consideration for sharing managed by DSMS, as well as the potential for database-assisted sharing in satellite bands, particularly in non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) constellations.
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Estimation of the Economic Value of the Unlicenced use of the 6 GHz Band in Chile
May 2023
In October 2020, the Undersecretary of Telecommunications (Subtel) for Chile made available the entire 6 GHz band for unlicenced use of Wi-Fi 6, thus becoming the first Latin American country to make this decision. In doing so, Chile followed the same path as the United States and South Korean in approving availability of the entire 1200 MHz band for unlicenced use.
However, the Chilean government have now opened the doors for use of the 6 GHz in parts for IMT services, thus reversing their earlier decision to make the entire band available for free use. The changes introduced imply that only the lower part of the band (5925-6425 MHz) will be available for unlicenced use, while the upper portion will go to IMT.
In the official documentation regarding the decision, the Chilean ministry also indicated that the country would make a final decision on the future of the band at the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) at the end of the year.
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Argentina’s Decision to Open the Entire 6 GHz Band for Unlicenced Access Will Boost Technical Innovation, says DSA
May 2023
The decision by the Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones (ENACOM) to fully embrace the 5925-7125 MHz band for unlicenced use will stimulate development across a number of sectors of Argentina’s digital economy, announced Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) President Martha Suarez today.
Unlicenced use of Wi-Fi requires large amounts of spectrum to be made available in order to expand services and reach thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), internet providers, telecommunications co-operatives and community networks. These are essential in connecting all types of communities, neighbourhoods, schools, hospitals and other groups operating in critical sectors. With the decision to enable the entire 6 GHz band for unlicenced usage, thousands of professionals across Argentina will be able to enjoy the benefits of reliable connectivity and new Wi-Fi technologies.
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Blogs
Explore our latest blogs to discover the DSA’s recent work, partnerships and successes!
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Federated Wireless
In April 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a groundbreaking decision that would reshape of wireless landscape by opening a substantial portion of the 6 GHz band (5.925 – 7.125 GHz) for operation of Standard Power unlicensed devices under the management of Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC).
In response to this historic decision, the Wireless Innovation Forum and WiFi Alliance took the lead to jointly establish the operational framework for AFC systems and devices. After months of close collaboration, earlier this spring these organizations submitted the requirements and test plan for AFC devices to the FCC. READ MORE
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Choosing Wi-Fi Over Mobile Networks Key to Europe’s Digital Future
Dynamic Spectrum Alliance
As we enter 2023, the continual growth of internet traffic has only made a stronger case for making the upper 6 GHz band accessible for unlicenced access. Giants of the industry such as Apple and Meta are embracing Wi-Fi 6E in technologies that have become increasingly available to general public, and adequate capacity within the 6 GHz spectrum band is required for further innovation. READ MORE
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Wi-Fi Now, 12 April 2023
Last week, the international and Brazilian Wi-Fi industries came together under one roof in Rio de Janeiro, with a clear goal (among others) of discussing the policies and technology required for standard power 6GHz Wi-Fi. Technology provider Broadcom says standard power will “deliver on the promise of 6GHz” indoors and outdoors, including the opportunity to bring multi-gigabit license-free FWA services to rural areas. READ MORE
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ICT Women are Life-Changers: Women’s Panel in Punta Cana
GOV.CO, 26 April 2023
The role of female leaders who transform the public sector through ICT is transformative and a generator of opportunities, was the key message from the panel ‘Women leaders of the region in the digital era – A dialog on the keys to leadership of the women: opportunities and challenges’, in which Minister Sandra Urrutia participated on her second day of the agenda as president of the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission (CITEL) at the 42 nd Session of the Permanent Consultative Committee (CCPI) in the Dominican Republic. READ MORE
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A Dynamic Route to Reliable Connectivity in the United States
Connect-World, 4 May 2023
For American businesses Wi-Fi has become increasingly essential, especially after the rise of remote working which followed the COVID-19 pandemic. 26% of all US employees now work remotely in some capacity, four times the number of those working remotely the year before. To fully support the remote workforce, adaptable connectivity is required, and if this is not available, businesses and livelihoods may be significantly affected. READ MORE
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Central America & Caribbean IT, 12 May 2023
Topics such as 5G technology, connected vehicles, Wi-Fi (6 and 7), wireless connectivity, satellites, public safety communication and sandboxes to explore new technologies were recurring in the public consultation to prepare the National Strategy for Spectrum of USA. READ MORE |
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Argentina decides to allocate entire 6 GHz band to Wi-Fi Services
Teletime News, 17 May 2023
Like Brazil, Argentina also decided to allocate the entire 6 GHz band (5925-7125 MHz) to unlicensed Wi-Fi services, freeing up ample space for Wi-Fi 6E equipment in the country. The announcement was made by the Argentinean Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones (Enacom) and by the country’s Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa, during an event in Buenos Aires last Tuesday, the 16 th. The meeting was attended by the companies Meta, Intel, Qualcomm, Amazon, Broadcom, Cisco, HPE, Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Federated Wireless, in addition to the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA). READ MORE
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South Africa Frees Up Lower 6 GHz Band Spectrum for Wi-Fi
Developing Telecoms, 24 May 2023
Regulator the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has opened the lower part of the 6 GHz spectrum band for Wi-Fi services. Lower 6 GHz is the radio frequency range of 5925-6425 MHz band as allocated in the country’s National Radio Frequency Plan. This happened via an amendment to Annexure B of ICASA’s Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015, which consists of a list of types of radio apparatus, the use or possession of which does not require a radio frequency spectrum licence. READ MORE
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Liberation of the 6 GHz band will stimulate digital economy in Argentina, says DSA
Teletime News, 24 May 2023
In a statement released this Wednesday, the 24 th, the President of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA), Martha Suarez, said that the decision by the Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones (Enacom), Argentina’s regulatory body, to fully adopt the 6 GHz band (5925-7125 MHz) for unlicensed use will stimulate development in various sectors of the country’s digital economy. READ MORE
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Regulatory Affairs Work Group (RAWG) update
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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, chaired by Jennifer McCarthy from Federated Wireless, 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 2023
May 2023
June 2023
The full list of filings is available on the DSA website.
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Microsoft
Today, we’re announcing new and expanded Airband partnerships set to provide high-speed internet access to nearly 40 million people across Latin America and Africa. These partnerships in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Guatemala, and Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda mark significant progress in our commitment to extend high-speed internet access to 250 million people living in unserved and underserved areas around the world, including 100 million in Africa. READ MORE
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Three Things to Know About the Third Anniversary of Wi-Fi in 6 GHz
Broadcom
In April 2020, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially opened up the 6 GHz band for unlicensed Wi-Fi use, resulting in the introduction of Wi-Fi 6E, and in turn, faster speeds and increased capacity. To mark the three-year anniversary of 6 GHz Wi-Fi, RCR Wireless News caught up with Broadcom, one of the decision’s earliest and strongest supporters, to find out how the spectrum update is impacting the wireless industry. READ MORE
Cal Poly, Federated Wireless and T-Mobile Unveil Public-Private Network Interoperability and Supercharged Wireless Network Experiences on Campus
Federated Wireless
Cal Poly’s private wireless network, which runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS), combined with T-Mobile service and AWS cloud enhances connectivity on campus and provides a leading-edge platform for innovation.
Federated Wireless, Inc., a shared spectrum and private wireless leader, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), today announced the expansion of Cal Poly’s private wireless network along with a new neutral host capability enabling the private wireless network to support T-Mobile customers. READ MORE
Inside the Apple Vision Pro
Apple
Apple’s VR headset is finally here. Though the Apple Vision Pro isn't quite VR, instead, it is mixed reality with AR and VR applications.
The headset and its operating system are referred to as spatial computing. They blend software with the world around the user via video passthrough. Apple Vision Pro is a headset that obscures the user's vision, not a pair of goggles or glasses. But high-quality cameras pass 3D video of the environment to the user through a pair of pixel-dense displays. READ MORE
Federated Wireless Demonstrated Operational 5G Private Wireless Network Powering U.S. Department of Defense Smart Warehouse of the Future
Federated Wireless
5G-enabled IoT applications demonstrated to DoD leaders and legislators mark innovation acceleration ahead of July private 5G network go-live at U.S. Marine Corps Base Albany
Federated Wireless, a shared spectrum and private wireless leader, announced it successfully ran live demonstrations of a pre-production 5G private wireless network leveraging 5G-enabled IoT applications to support smart warehouse automation in Albany, Georgia, at the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany from April 18-20, 2023. The transformational private 5G smart warehouse network will serve as a launch pad to modernize U.S. Marine Corps operations and other DoD combat readiness facilities nationwide. The official go-live for the private 5G network deployment at U.S. Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany (MCLBA) is scheduled for July 2023. READ MORE
Broadcom Introduces FiFEM, The World’s First Wi-Fi RF FEM with Filter Integration Optimized for Wi-Fi 7 Access Points
Broadcom
Connected by Broadcom, the Wi-Fi access point platform with FiFEM delivers up to 40% reduction in RF front end module power.
Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) today announced the availability of its FBAR integrated front end module (FiFEM™) devices for Wi-Fi access point (AP) applications, spanning Wi-Fi routers, residential gateways, and enterprise APs. The FiFEM devices incorporate best-in-class FBAR filter technology to provide superior 5 GHz and 6 GHz band coexistence and low in-band insertion loss while significantly reducing the bill of materials (BOM) at the RF front end. Additionally, the devices feature state-of-the-art non-linear power amplifier (PA) design optimized for Broadcom’s Wi-Fi SoC Digital Predistortion (DPD) operation, enabling up to 40% reduction in RF front-end power. READ MORE
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Broadcom Announces Availability of Second-Generation Wi-Fi 7 Wireless Connectivity Chips
Broadcom
Connected by Broadcom, new Wi-Fi chipset solutions enable next generation smartphone and access point platforms to expand market adoption.
Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) today announced sample availability of its second generation of wireless connectivity chipset solutions for the Wi-Fi 7 ecosystem, spanning Wi-Fi routers, residential gateways, enterprise access points, and client devices. The new chips build on the ecosystem of products with Broadcom’s first-generation Wi-Fi 7 chips while delivering additional functionality to a wider market. READ MORE
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Upcoming Events & Partnership
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Connected Britain 2023
20-21 September 2023
London, United Kingdom
Over the past 9 years, Connected Britain has solidified itself as the UK’s most important connectivity event, bringing together the leaders shaping Britain’s digital future. Connected Britain 2023 will continue to evolve and explore how next generation broadband technologies, especially fibre and 5G, are enabling exciting new opportunities across UK. The conference will also have a renewed focus on the customer, whether that’s business, communities, or individuals.
World Communication Awards 2023
22 November 2023
Amsterdam, Netherlands
For the past 25 years, the World Communication Awards have recognised innovation and excellence for global telecoms, and today continues to be the most revered mark of achievement in the industry. Martha will be on the panel of Judges for this year’s event.
Connected Germany
5 – 6 November 2023
Munich, Germany
Germany’s connectivity landscape is transforming, with the goal of rolling out ubiquitous, converged networks with gigabit speeds by the end of 2025. Now more than ever, it is imperative that all those involved in building next-generation networks come together to advance Germany’s broadband strategy. With over 1,500 delegates and 150 speakers, Connected Germany will provide a forum where leading experts, decision makers, equipment suppliers, investors, companies and others can exchange thoughts, discover perspectives and form partnerships.
The Digital Transformation Week Global
30 November – 1 December 2023
London, United Kingdom
The conference is perfect for those technology professionals making investment and strategy decisions or building and executing pioneering projects within their organisation. The event will consist of live and on-demand from over 40 speakers sharing their unparalleled industry knowledge and real-life experiences in the forms of solo presentations, expert panel discussions and in-depth fireside chats.
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Get in touch
If you would like more information, or if your company or organization is interested in joining the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, then please email admin@dynamicspectrumalliance.org
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