UK SPF: Future Spectrum Policy Summit roundup
The 01 December 2022 saw the UK Future Spectrum Policy Forum host its first annual summit on future spectrum policy.
The summit combined the final plenary meeting of 2022 with the launch of three SPF-commissioned reports on market mechanisms, the future of the UHF band and current uses for the 7-24 GHz band and potential opportunities for 6G.
We also said goodbye to our long-serving UK SPF chair David Meyer, with techUK CEO Julian David giving the UK SPF’s thanks and congratulations.
The summit also brought together spectrum users from all parts of the spectrum-using ecosystem. It was great to see many viewpoints represented and want to continue this diversity of voice as much as possible, including through our steering board.
Speaking at UK SPF Future Spectrum Policy Summit, which over 120 industry leaders and policymakers, DCMS and Ofcom delivered the keynote address that served to recap on the role of spectrum in society and its economic and social value to the UK.
Market mechanisms report
In the morning session Analysys Mason took us through the conclusions of their review of spectrum market mechanisms.
These conclusions are the first wholesale analysis of spectrum market mechanisms since the original Cave Report twenty years ago.
Analysys Mason found out that while the market mechanism philosophy remains sound in most fields, current spectrum pricing through ALFs are an unnecessary application of the mechanism. These conclusions confirm there is a strong case to adapt and modernise all market mechanisms so that scarce mobile spectrum can drive wider economic growth across the UK.
Analysys Mason’s presentation was followed by the views of the peer-review team, who endorsed the report and offered suggestions for a more radical approach to spectrum mechanisms in the long run.
Future of the UHF Band
Coleago Consulting gave the findings of their commissioned report into the future of the UHF band. The report presented four scenarios (Status Quo; Flexible Use; IMT600 band plan; Transition to IPTV) and looked at potential regulatory within those scenarios.
The report was followed by presentations from Shure, Digital 3 and 4 and Nokia. We were glad to see the views of each of the major incumbents and potential future stakeholders, namely DTT, PMSE and mobile.
With this report, we aim to contribute to the overall discussion and preparations of the World Radiocommunication Conference next year (WRC-23), where the discussions on the future of the UHF band might lead to further policy actions in Europe, Africa and Middle East under Agenda Item 1.5.
Current Utilisation of the 7-24 GHz band
Cluster 3 chair Tony Lavender presented the findings of Plum Consulting’s report on the current utilisation of the 7-24 GHz band. The report was commissioned due to the spectrum’s potential for 6G allocation.
The report found no obvious areas where spectrum could be reallocated for 6G, and any future 6G utilisation of the band will require spectrum sharing.
As with the UHF band report, we were glad to have a very wide range of stakeholders using spectrum in this band speaking, including the MoD, the Met Office, Intelsat, the Joint Radio Company, Qualcomm and GSA.
By specifying the nature of each of their spectrum requirements, including where sharing may be both possible in future and impossible at any point, the panel gave an extremely detailed and well-balanced view of the band as a whole.
We are keen for this summit to become an annual event and to grow into a staple of the spectrum policy calendar.
If you would like to help guide the work of the UK SPF, including the shape of next year’s summit, we currently have a discount on the first year of membership for large members. Find out more from our information page.
All of these reports can be found at the techUK website.
Slides presented at the event can be found at the techUK website
Sophie Greaves
Sophie Greaves
Sophie Greaves is Associate Director for Digital Infrastructure at techUK, overseeing the Communications Infrastructure and Services Programme at techUK, and the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.
Sophie was promoted to Head having been Programme Manager for Communications Infrastructure and Services, leading techUK's telecoms activities, engagement and policy development. Previously, Sophie was Programme Assistant across a variety of areas including the Broadband Stakeholder Group, Central Government, Financial Services and Communications Infrastructure programmes.
Prior to joining techUK, Sophie completed a masters in Film Studies at University College London; her dissertation examined US telecoms policy relating to net neutrality and content distribution.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 0207 331 2038
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiegreaves/
Phil Reid
Phil Reid
Phil is acting Head of Telecoms and Spectrum policy at techUK, where he leads the Communications, Infrastructure and Services Programme. This focuses on promoting the benefits and innovations of connectivity and tackles the barriers of digital infrsatructre rollout.
Phil's background lies in public affairs and policy, supporting numerous organisations to navigate their policy landscape, build their political profile and engage on key issues with impact. His previous roles were predominantly in consultancy but he has also had extensive experience in establishing and manging both trade bodies and campaign groupings; leading their secretariat functions as well as their public affairs and communications activities.
Telecoms has been an ever-constant sector focus during his career, covering an array of issues such as IP-migration, broadband rollout, net neutrality, telecoms fraud, network resilience and security. He has a strong understanding of the sector ecosytem, its major policy issues and has had plenty of interaction with its key stakeholders.
Outside of work, if he's not enjoying family time with his wife and two daughters, he'll be either playing or watching some form of sport.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Tales Gaspar
Tales Gaspar
Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.
In the UK and Europe, he offered consultancy on intellectual property rights of cellular and IoT technologies and on the regulatory procedures at the ITU as a Global Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI).
Tales has an LL.M in Law and Business by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and an MSc in Regulation at the London School of Economics, with a specialization in Government and Law.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +44 (0) 0207 331 2000
- Website:
- www.techUK.org
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/talesngaspar
Josh Turpin
Josh Turpin
Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.
In this role, working jointly across the techUK Telecoms and Climate Programmes, Josh is responsible for leading on telecoms infrastructure deployment and uptake and supporting innovation opportunities, as well as looking at how the tech sector can be further utilised in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.
Prior to joining techUK, Josh’s background was in public affairs and communications, working for organisations across a diverse portfolio of sectors including defence, telecoms and infrastructure; aiding clients through stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, media outreach as well as secretariat duties.
Outside of work, Josh has a keen interest in music, painting and sailing.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2038
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-turpin/