10.30am – 12.30pm16 February 2023
London
techUK, 10 St Bride Street, London, EC4A 4AD
On Thursday 16 February (10.30-12.30) the UK Spectrum Policy Forum is delighted to be hosting Ofcom at techUK's London office for an interactive and participative workshop on spectrum sandboxes.
This will be an in-person event, with a limited number of spaces being available on a first-come-first-served basis, so be sure to book your place now. Please note that tickets are restricted to one per member organisation.
Purpose of the workshop
Ofcom set out its plan to support the development of Spectrum Sandboxes in its recent Spectrum Roadmap. Sandboxes will utilise field trials and the collection of real world data to explore technical solutions to improve the way spectrum is used and shared by different users. The increasing use of network function virtualization, software defined radios and ability to collect and process massive data sets have made Sandboxes a viable way to help develop new solutions for sharing.
In light of the growing interest and demand in accessing spectrum in the 3.8-4.2GHz band, where Ofcom has introduced a shared access approach between incumbent and new users, Ofcom is keen to develop the first sandbox in this band. Any learning from this sandbox will feed into Ofcom's review of their current authorisation approach in the band.
Objectives
To be successful, Sandboxes will require cross industry collaboration and innovation and this Ofcom's inaugural workshop, supported by UK SPF, will be the first step toward agreeing objectives and approach.
The objective of the first workshop is to gather views on:
Current and anticipated use cases for the spectrum. Are there use cases that are not supported by the current authorisation approach?
How to best collect data on nature of propagation and interference in the band that is representative of real work deployments and equipment? Analysis of this data will inform future testing within the sandbox.
Terms of Reference and ways of working for stakeholders that want to continue to participate in the Sandbox.
This will be a participative workshop and we encourage attendees that have practical commercial and technical experience of deploying radio systems using Ofcom’s Shared Access Licences or that are developing technologies that might increase the utilisation of this spectrum.
Please note this is an in-person event. If you're unable to attend, please get in touch and virtual participation might be facilitated. If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact us.
By signing up to the workshop you agree for your details to be shared with Ofcom ahead of the workshop.
As space is limited for this session, tickets are restricted to one per member organisation.
If you have any questions, please contact the team below.
Sophie Greaves
Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, techUK
Sophie Greaves
Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, techUK
Sophie Greaves is Head of Programme for Communications Infrastructure and Services at techUK, and oversees 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.
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.
Jaynesh Patel is Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, leading the Communications Infrastructure and Services Programme at techUK and overseeing the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.
Jaynesh has extensive experience in the sector, having worked for CityFibre (a full fibre broadband company) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) on digital infrastructure policy. Most recently Jaynesh led on policy and public affairs in the UK and Ireland for ChargePoint (an EV charging network).
Prior to this Jaynesh worked in the Cabinet Office for more than five years, including over two years at the Government Digital Service (GDS) supporting the digital transformation of UK Government.
Jaynesh has a BSc (Hons) in Economics from the London School of Economics (LSE).
Matthew joined techUK in August 2023 as a Programme Assistant, supporting the Communications Infrastructure programme, as well as the Digital Connectivity and Spectrum Policy Fora.
Before joining techUK, Matthew worked in marketing, data, and events across a number of sectors, including education and consumer goods. He studied German and Dutch at University College London and the Universiteit van Amsterdam.
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