Social and economic values of 5G RF spectrum

14 Sep 2016
Joe Barrett

Social and economic values of radio frequency spectrum for fifth generation (5G) mobile systems

The continuing mobile broadband subscriptions and traffic uptakes are clearly powered by the evolution of mobile infrastructure; infrastructure that is providing ever enhancing area coverage and the increasing capability to exchange data while responding to the consumers’ appetite for more capable smart devices, thrilling services and engaging applications. Mobile broadband networks are providing ubiquitous access to advanced data and information based services, an increasing array of multimedia applications and the corresponding educational and social benefits. All of which is increasingly attractive to consumers, businesses and a wide range of industry and government institutions.

In some countries it is estimated that well above half of the total economic value of spectrum may be derived from mobile broadband use; whereas the remaining value is delivered by all other uses, such as satellite, broadcasting, and aeronautical uses.* Such a significant contribution by the mobile broadband industry, through the economic value of spectrum use at national level, is clearly associated with investments in manufacturing, deployment and operation of networks, as well as with a complex mix of customer services, applications and devices.

Mobile broadband networks are providing increasing national economic and social benefits by allowing businesses, industries and Governmental authorities to increase productivity. This is assured by access to networks that rely on spectrum availability for a growing range of new and advanced capabilities and services, beyond the value of the national mobile broadband networks. The Internet of Things (IoT) is now driving the need for new investments, which requires additional spectrum resources to ensure massive ubiquitous access, increasing network capacity, very high peak data rates, and in some applications very low latency.

Without doubt, new advanced 5G services and applications will greatly improve the end user mobile broadband experience. Focusing on the enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) 5G usage scenario will enable a wide range of new applications for IoT by addressing the massive machine type communications (mMTC)  as well as the ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) use cases. The USA, Japan, and Korea are expected to be the first countries where 5G subscriptions will be available.

All things considered, the GSA Spectrum Group is committed to support early and successful 5G deployments through the use of new, very valuable radio frequencies to meet the diverse and specific requirements in the individual countries.

* Impact of radio spectrum on the UK economy