In March and December 2012 OFCA published consultations on the arrangements to award spectrum in the 1.9 to 2.2 GHz band (2.1 GHz spectrum) when licences for existing assignments expire in October 2016. Plum was commissioned to assess the nature and scale of disruption including the cost impacts of OFCA’s proposal.
The event focussed on broadband access to all in East Africa. A key part of achieving this objective is ensuring that sub 1 GHz spectrum is available for the build out of mobile broadband services. To achieve this there is a requirement for well managed digital switch over / analogue switch off programmes. The GSMA[…]
Plum makes the case that it is the public interest for the 3G spectrum licences at 2.1 GHz to be reassigned to the incumbent operators. Plum argues that the alternative policy of taking back and re-auctioning some of the 3G spectrum will result in substantial disruption costs, reduce service quality and have no offsetting benefit.[…]
Plum was commissioned by the 3G licensees in Hong Kong to appraise the technical and economic consequences of the arrangements proposed by OFCA for reissue of 2.1 GHz spectrum licences on expiry. The project looks at OFCA’s proposals for competition and spectrum utilisation fees i.e. annual licence fees for spectrum that is not going to[…]
Plum provided support to BT with responses to a number of Ofcom consultations on the 800 MHz / 2.6 GHz spectrum award. Plum’s input covered a number of issues including analysis of competition scenarios, spectrum caps, use of standard power and low power blocks, proposed auction formats and proposed bidding rules. In addition Plum facilitated[…]
Plum and Farncombe prepared a practical guide to digital switchover to supplement the information already published by the ITU and others. The guide focuses on a set of practical measures that anyone undertaking switch over / switch off must address, drawing on best practice from around the world.
Plum and Aegis conducted an economic impact assessment for the DCMS on allowing the use of 2.6 GHz spectrum for mobile broadband in the UK via the protection of aeronautical radars operating in the adjacent 2.7 GHz band. The economic benefits considered include higher speed broadband and infrastructure costs avoided with additional spectrum availability. The[…]
Plum carried out an assessment of liberalisation of the directory assistance market in the UK – both immediately following liberalisation in 2002 and in the subsequent 10 years. The study considered the nature of retail competition which has emerged, how price transparency has changed, and the extent to which Ofcom’s goals at liberalisation have been[…]
OFTA commissioned Plum to: Identify the impact of IP networks, and especially next-generation managed IP networks, on the delivery of telecommunications services in Hong Kong Assess which of these developments require changes to regulation in Hong Kong Recommend what OFTA should do to modify regulation and where the government should change is telecommunications policy. The[…]
Plum prepared a paper evaluating the European debate on copper costing in the transition to fibre to accompany a Telecom New Zealand submission to the Commerce Commission.