The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) recently issued a letter strongly opposing aspects of a draft bill entitled “Spectrum Innovation Act of 2011.” The open letter to the government cites that “aspects of the draft would threaten the continued development of affordable fixed broadband services to Americans living in rural, unserved and underserved areas of the country.” The WISPA organization has a point and raises some very significant issues, but we should not ignore the spectrum policy and innovations that the industry has been building upon over the past decade, specifically the secondary spectrum market.
Spectrum Bridge firmly believes that there are viable alternatives to current spectrum allocation methods if industry continues to promote secondary markets. In an earlier blog post, Spectrum Bridge mentioned that the secondary spectrum market was created by the FCC to enable “spectrum to flow more freely among users and uses in response to economic demand.” The demand for spectrum continues to increase on a daily basis, but there are alternatives to utilizing unused bandwidth in the U.S. as opposed to drafting and passing bills dedicated to current Spectrum Auction processes. The auction process is, realistically, only available to a small subset of spectrum users and only executed by the FCC when large swathes of spectrum are available. So in addition to limiting bidders much spectrum sits in inventory in the hope that there will eventually be enough to justify an auction. Secondary markets are the only option for many spectrum users and they can also be an outlet for the FCC to permit use of spectrum sitting idle in inventory.
Thanks to the FCC efforts and continued innovation in technology, industry is now able to stand on its own to help allocate unused frequencies on an as needed basis. Major industry players are beginning to take a larger role in how spectrum is allocated and managed. For example, Qualcomm and Nokia have recently proposed the concept of Authorized Shared Access which allows spectrum sharing via cognitive network technologies which are aimed at benefiting consumers and helping to sustain economic growth.
With the whole notion of viable alternatives to current methods, the government will not necessarily need to be in the involved, industry is more than capable of managing spectrum and allocating it to meet demand. Spectrum management solutions and secondary markets will see an increase in value over time as the ever increasing spectrum scarcity continues to burden policy makers in the near term. The increasing role of industry giants only emphasizes the desire for alternatives to current methods such as shared access and secondary markets.
- Peter Stanforth, CTO
Showing posts with label secondary market. Show all posts
Showing posts with label secondary market. Show all posts
Monday, July 25, 2011
Friday, March 19, 2010
SBI Supports the FCC's Broadband Plan
On March 16th, the FCC fulfilled its Congressional mandate with the long awaited release of the National Broadband Plan (NBP). The plan specifies a number of goals and objectives to meet the nation’s broadband needs over the next ten years. A number of the recommendations relate to spectrum and the use of wireless technology in support of these goals. Spectrum Bridge is uniquely positioned to provide the technology and solutions to support these recommendations.
RECOMMENDATION 4.1 states “the federal government, including the FCC, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Congress, should make more spectrum available for existing and new wireless broadband providers in order to foster additional wireless-wireline competition at higher speed tiers.”
SBI’s Spectrum Exchange creates a single point for anyone to locate and access available spectrum, helping to foster competition in the industry, while allowing for better utilization of bandwidth through a multitude of spectrum allocation solutions.
RECOMMENDATION 5.7 states “the FCC should evaluate the effectiveness of its secondary markets policies and rules to promote access to unused and underutilized spectrum.”
The FCC should complete its assessment of potential barriers by the end of 2010; however, today Spectrum Bridge is uniquely positioned to help the FCC in this goal, as we already are the “biggest and best secondary marketplace for spectrum”, as defined by our innovative Spectrum Exchange tool.
RECOMMENDATION 5.12 in section 5.6 states “the FCC should move expeditiously to conclude the TV white spaces proceeding.” Additionally, Spectrum Bridge’s wireless network architecture technology was referenced “to provide broadband service to a school in rural Virginia and are currently being used for demonstration of a wireless broadband network in Wilmington, North Carolina.”
Stay up to date with SBI's future white space network deployments as we continue to explore new applications for TV White Spaces spectrum to help support the FCC's goals.
RECOMMENDATION 5.13 states “the FCC should spur further development and deployment of opportunistic uses across more radio spectrum.”
SBI’s use of cognitive networking technology to more effectively access, acquire and manage wireless spectrum and network assets supports the FCC’s vision. Otherwise known as Universal Spectrum Access (USA), our solution provides access to bandwidth through available networks within the range of their device whether using a Smartphone, netbook, or laptop.
With technology becoming an everyday part of our lives, nationwide broadband access is becoming more critical. As FCC Chairman Genachowski mentions in this interview with CitizenTube, broadband is a key infrastructure for the 21st century. The FCC’s bold vision for the future of broadband validates the core concepts that have driven our own innovations here at Spectrum Bridge. Our cognitive networking technology provides the capability to increase the availability and access to spectrum and network resources while optimizing the allocation of bandwidth within the network gives our customers an effective tool for their next generation wireless needs.
The FCC’s vision for the future of broadband is a major turning point for our industry, as demands for this finite resource continue to grow by leaps and bounds, it is encouraging to see the government address the broadband needs of our country to help foster innovation, productivity and growth. As the plan awaits scrutiny from Congress, and new rulemakings go into effect over the coming months in response to the plan’s recommendations, we look forward to utilizing our tools and resources to help implement the long term goals of the FCC.
- Joe Hamilla, COO
RECOMMENDATION 4.1 states “the federal government, including the FCC, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Congress, should make more spectrum available for existing and new wireless broadband providers in order to foster additional wireless-wireline competition at higher speed tiers.”
SBI’s Spectrum Exchange creates a single point for anyone to locate and access available spectrum, helping to foster competition in the industry, while allowing for better utilization of bandwidth through a multitude of spectrum allocation solutions.
RECOMMENDATION 5.7 states “the FCC should evaluate the effectiveness of its secondary markets policies and rules to promote access to unused and underutilized spectrum.”
The FCC should complete its assessment of potential barriers by the end of 2010; however, today Spectrum Bridge is uniquely positioned to help the FCC in this goal, as we already are the “biggest and best secondary marketplace for spectrum”, as defined by our innovative Spectrum Exchange tool.
RECOMMENDATION 5.12 in section 5.6 states “the FCC should move expeditiously to conclude the TV white spaces proceeding.” Additionally, Spectrum Bridge’s wireless network architecture technology was referenced “to provide broadband service to a school in rural Virginia and are currently being used for demonstration of a wireless broadband network in Wilmington, North Carolina.”
Stay up to date with SBI's future white space network deployments as we continue to explore new applications for TV White Spaces spectrum to help support the FCC's goals.
RECOMMENDATION 5.13 states “the FCC should spur further development and deployment of opportunistic uses across more radio spectrum.”
SBI’s use of cognitive networking technology to more effectively access, acquire and manage wireless spectrum and network assets supports the FCC’s vision. Otherwise known as Universal Spectrum Access (USA), our solution provides access to bandwidth through available networks within the range of their device whether using a Smartphone, netbook, or laptop.
With technology becoming an everyday part of our lives, nationwide broadband access is becoming more critical. As FCC Chairman Genachowski mentions in this interview with CitizenTube, broadband is a key infrastructure for the 21st century. The FCC’s bold vision for the future of broadband validates the core concepts that have driven our own innovations here at Spectrum Bridge. Our cognitive networking technology provides the capability to increase the availability and access to spectrum and network resources while optimizing the allocation of bandwidth within the network gives our customers an effective tool for their next generation wireless needs.
The FCC’s vision for the future of broadband is a major turning point for our industry, as demands for this finite resource continue to grow by leaps and bounds, it is encouraging to see the government address the broadband needs of our country to help foster innovation, productivity and growth. As the plan awaits scrutiny from Congress, and new rulemakings go into effect over the coming months in response to the plan’s recommendations, we look forward to utilizing our tools and resources to help implement the long term goals of the FCC.
- Joe Hamilla, COO
Friday, February 12, 2010
New Spectrum Solutions Allowed by the FCC’s Secondary Market Initiative
EVENT PRESENTATION SERIES
Key portions of presentations given by Spectrum Bridge
Post 2
In recent years, the FCC has taken significant steps to facilitate the development of secondary markets and spectrum usage rights. Through these efforts, a number of options have opened up that allow efficient usage of limited frequencies like never before.
GEOGRAPHIC PARTITIONING is one solution. Let’s say that in a hypothetical situation, a company called “TriCounty Telephone” operates in a tricounty area. They have been awarded a license that covers 12 counties in a BTA. Knowing that their business plan allows them to operate in 3 co
unties only, what can they do with the remaining 75% of the license? Through geographic partitioning, they can operate in their three counties and sell or lease the remaining nine counties to create additional revenue streams – thereby earning money off a day to day business model, as well as incurring a new revenue stream from the remainder of the partitioned license.
In another case, let’s say that “Mobile Corp” won the A block of AWS for 20 MHz, but they know through market research and demographics studies with a spectrum management tool that they will only ever need to use 10MHz. What can Mobile Corp to do with the remaining 50% of the license? The answer is DISAGGREGATION.
By dividing spectrum (disaggregating) into smaller portions in the frequency domain, they can use what is needed and monetize the remaining overage. The flexibility in secondary market rules promote spectrum efficiency and allow commoditization of spectrum assets.
TIME SHARING is another way that companies can create an additional revenue stream from spectrum. Let’s say that there is a utility company wishing to do meter reading between the hours of 12 and 4am. It may not make sen
se for a company to purchase spectrum to satisfy spectrum they would use only 15% of the time. An option for a utility they may consider is time sharing; where they could allow another entity to rent spectrum for a set period of time.
Spectrum Bridge products make it easy to move beyond the wholesale mentality and create “right-sized” spectrum offerings that create more flexibility and affordability to buyers, while creating higher ROI for sellers. Demographic and analytic tools built into offerings such as SmartWaves can be used to determine which counties to focus networks on, thereby leaving the remaining underused spectrum to be offered on an online marketplace for monetization.
Next in the series, we’ll discuss the online marketplace for spectrum…
Key portions of presentations given by Spectrum Bridge
Post 2
In recent years, the FCC has taken significant steps to facilitate the development of secondary markets and spectrum usage rights. Through these efforts, a number of options have opened up that allow efficient usage of limited frequencies like never before.
GEOGRAPHIC PARTITIONING is one solution. Let’s say that in a hypothetical situation, a company called “TriCounty Telephone” operates in a tricounty area. They have been awarded a license that covers 12 counties in a BTA. Knowing that their business plan allows them to operate in 3 co
unties only, what can they do with the remaining 75% of the license? Through geographic partitioning, they can operate in their three counties and sell or lease the remaining nine counties to create additional revenue streams – thereby earning money off a day to day business model, as well as incurring a new revenue stream from the remainder of the partitioned license.In another case, let’s say that “Mobile Corp” won the A block of AWS for 20 MHz, but they know through market research and demographics studies with a spectrum management tool that they will only ever need to use 10MHz. What can Mobile Corp to do with the remaining 50% of the license? The answer is DISAGGREGATION.
By dividing spectrum (disaggregating) into smaller portions in the frequency domain, they can use what is needed and monetize the remaining overage. The flexibility in secondary market rules promote spectrum efficiency and allow commoditization of spectrum assets.
TIME SHARING is another way that companies can create an additional revenue stream from spectrum. Let’s say that there is a utility company wishing to do meter reading between the hours of 12 and 4am. It may not make sen
se for a company to purchase spectrum to satisfy spectrum they would use only 15% of the time. An option for a utility they may consider is time sharing; where they could allow another entity to rent spectrum for a set period of time.Spectrum Bridge products make it easy to move beyond the wholesale mentality and create “right-sized” spectrum offerings that create more flexibility and affordability to buyers, while creating higher ROI for sellers. Demographic and analytic tools built into offerings such as SmartWaves can be used to determine which counties to focus networks on, thereby leaving the remaining underused spectrum to be offered on an online marketplace for monetization.
Next in the series, we’ll discuss the online marketplace for spectrum…
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Spectrum Bridge Surpasses $8 million in Spectrum Transactions, Forecasts Robust Growth
This week we announced several significant second quarter milestones, including over $8 million in secondary spectrum market transactions and related services on SpecEx.com. SpecEx has amassed a growing inventory including somewhere around three billion MHz pops, or nearly 5% the total available market in spectrum coverage. This represents over 2,200 call signs and scores of spectrum holders, making it the single largest, non-carrier aggregator of spectrum nationwide.
Launches of additional member services and resources, including the SpecEx Spectrum Index®, spectrum valuations, as well as partnering and networking services through a growing ecosystem have also made it the largest online community of spectrum professionals.
Recent testimonials include:
SpecEx.com member Jerry Wilke, president of the Rural Telecommunications Group said “Spectrum Bridge simplified the process of finding the right spectrum to expand my clients’ and RTG members’ wireless networks. I was able to quickly search through hundreds of millions of dollars worth of available spectrum and find exactly what my clients needed. People have been talking about the need for an online spectrum marketplace for years. Spectrum Bridge has delivered a powerful solution that works.”
“SpecEx is the go-to place for spectrum,” said Bob Metcalf, senior director of technology management at MidAmerican Energy. “In addition to their online tools, they have a knowledgeable team of professionals who deliver a high degree of service and expertise. This is precisely the kind of solution busy utility operations like ours need to help advance important initiatives for efficient service delivery.”
Visit SpecEx.com to see our latest upgrades.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Spectrum Marketplace Gets Upgraded
SpecEx, the online marketplace for spectrum™ announced new features for members and visitors this week. An email alert was sent out notifying members and interested parties of the recent upgrades, with a bulleted list of additions:
- Real-time searches for available spectrum – now open to ALL visitors – search now
- Satellite mapping of offered frequencies
- Share, print or bookmark favorite listings
- “Knowledge Center” containing complete historical auction data
These features were added to the original SpecEx features:
- Nationwide spectrum inventory
- Request spectrum you need
- Custom “Watch List” feature
- One-step easy listing of unused spectrum assets
- A growing channel partner program
- Access to spectrum experts
One of the most significant changes to the SpecEx site is the ability for non-members to do a search for available spectrum from the homepage. Earlier versions of the site required membership to search through the marketplace's inventory (with a possible fee attached). But now, with the browsing ability open to all, the SpecEx site has become more friendly to anyone curious to what is accessible on the secondary market.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Leasing Lessons Learned, part 1 of 2
By: Stephen E. Coran, Attorney, Rini Coran, PC
Part 1 of 2
In 2003, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules to promote development of “secondary markets” in spectrum. In addition to adding clarity to policies that historically had evolved through court cases and regulatory proceedings, the FCC expanded the scope of its leasing rules, established two different leasing categories designed to place regulatory and operational compliance obligations on the appropriate party and streamlined the process for approving leasing arrangements.
In the past five years, licensees and spectrum users have engaged in thousands of transactions to promote increased commercial use of spectrum. Companies such as Clearwire and Sprint Nextel, which recently combined their 2.5 GHz spectrum assets, have made extensive use of the FCC’s leasing rules to create a nationwide footprint for WiMax services. Other companies such as FiberTower and IDT have successfully marketed their microwave spectrum for backhaul to support mobile and fixed wireless businesses. And the major wireless carriers, such as Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile, have entered into dozens of such arrangements as well.
Among other recent trends, major carriers are beginning to lease spectrum in rural areas to “partners,” who are willing to build the leased spectrum using the major carrier’s technology and to comply with strict service quality requirements, so that incoming customers will have the same high-quality experience when traveling into rural areas as they receive in their urban home markets. These arrangements enable major carriers to focus their own capital spending on their core metro area markets, while presenting to customers a virtual footprint that extends far into the countryside.
More and more, the secondary market appears to be headed in the direction of licensees using the lease process to improve their customers’ experience, and thereby reduce churn, without having to make long-term commitments. Lease arrangements for three to five years enable carriers to address their needs for the foreseeable future without being locked into obligations that may or may not be appropriate in meeting their long-term goals. Short-term arrangements may also provide an easy exit for the lessee, who can meet service obligations, create value and then return the spectrum and monetize its investment...
Part 1 of 2
In 2003, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules to promote development of “secondary markets” in spectrum. In addition to adding clarity to policies that historically had evolved through court cases and regulatory proceedings, the FCC expanded the scope of its leasing rules, established two different leasing categories designed to place regulatory and operational compliance obligations on the appropriate party and streamlined the process for approving leasing arrangements.
In the past five years, licensees and spectrum users have engaged in thousands of transactions to promote increased commercial use of spectrum. Companies such as Clearwire and Sprint Nextel, which recently combined their 2.5 GHz spectrum assets, have made extensive use of the FCC’s leasing rules to create a nationwide footprint for WiMax services. Other companies such as FiberTower and IDT have successfully marketed their microwave spectrum for backhaul to support mobile and fixed wireless businesses. And the major wireless carriers, such as Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile, have entered into dozens of such arrangements as well.
Among other recent trends, major carriers are beginning to lease spectrum in rural areas to “partners,” who are willing to build the leased spectrum using the major carrier’s technology and to comply with strict service quality requirements, so that incoming customers will have the same high-quality experience when traveling into rural areas as they receive in their urban home markets. These arrangements enable major carriers to focus their own capital spending on their core metro area markets, while presenting to customers a virtual footprint that extends far into the countryside.
More and more, the secondary market appears to be headed in the direction of licensees using the lease process to improve their customers’ experience, and thereby reduce churn, without having to make long-term commitments. Lease arrangements for three to five years enable carriers to address their needs for the foreseeable future without being locked into obligations that may or may not be appropriate in meeting their long-term goals. Short-term arrangements may also provide an easy exit for the lessee, who can meet service obligations, create value and then return the spectrum and monetize its investment...
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