Spectrum fees: saying the quiet part out loud

The European Commission’s white paper seems to contain an admission that a standard regulatory assumption which has been used since the turn of the century is, in fact, wrong. In this note we consider where the perceived wisdom came from, why it’s wrong, and what needs to change.

Valuation advice relating to cellular spectrum in Canada

Ahead of renewal of spectrum licences in the AWS band, the CWTA commissioned Plum to compile a report looking at the value of AWS spectrum and how this should be applied to any renewal process.  Operators were concerned that ISEDC (the spectrum administrator) would use the renewals as an opportunity to significantly increase spectrum fees,[…]

Advice on AIP spectrum fees for broadcasting

Free TV is an industry body in Australia which represents terrestrial television broadcasters.  Against the possibility of the regulator introducing AIP fees to broadcasting spectrum in Australia, Plum was commissioned to compile a report into the use of AIP for broadcasting in the UK, examining the arguments that had been presented for and against AIP[…]

Review of licence fees in the Australian 17.3-51.4 GHz band

Plum was engaged by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to review the current taxes for the Ka (17.3-51.4 GHz) spectrum band, and to investigate how existing taxation arrangements could be improved. Plum concluded that the Ka band was unlikely to become congested in the near future, and that many frequency bands have witnessed[…]

Technical and pricing study on private mobile radio and trunked radio systems in Singapore

Plum and Aegis advised the IDA on technical, pricing and other assignment approaches for addressing congestion issues in the 400 MHz and 800 MHz bands used to deploy trunked radio systems (TRS) and private mobile radio (PMR) networks in Singapore. The study examined the likely development of standards and availability of equipment for PMR and[…]

Regulatory capacity building

This study involved providing radio spectrum expertise to Incyte, the lead consultancy, for this World Bank Study.  The first step was to identify those specific areas that should be addressed by the regulator based on the size of the country, staff available, likely demand for radio spectrum and the situation in regards to the development of[…]

Annual spectrum fees and price metrics

Plum produced a study on annual fees for mobile spectrum. The study considered the different types of annual fee, evaluated the metrics used for reporting and comparing fees and compared the level of spectrum fees across countries. This analysis was then used to make recommendations on best practice for setting spectrum fees. Regulators have different[…]

Review of spectrum pricing in the Bahamas

Plum advised the Utilities Regulatory and Competition Authority of Bahamas on the revision of its spectrum fees schedule for licensed services. The main purpose was to ensure that the spectrum fee structure and fee levels would fulfil a suitable balance of objectives, including the optimal use of the radio spectrum, universal service and affordable access[…]

Terrestrial broadcasting use of spectrum – does AIP have a role in promoting efficiency?

This report considered Ofcom’s proposals for the potential application of AIP to spectrum utilised for national terrestrial TV broadcasting. In its consultation on spectrum pricing for broadcasting, Ofcom stated that, where there are constraints on spectrum release, it does not expect “…the application of AIP to meet its core objective of securing the optimal use[…]

Spectrum reassignment in Hong Kong – the case of the 1.9-2.2GHz band

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[…]