Page 84 - Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2016

time. This way, multiple users can "share" access the results could include speedier deployment,
to the spectrum while minimizing interference cost savings passed on to consumers, and a
to others. The best near-term opportunities for reduced ongoing regulatory burden.
deploying spectrum sharing may be in those bands
with substantial government uses. Some of these It is undoubtedly a challenge, however, for
bands may be suitable for mobile broadband, operators to create, implement and maintain
but clearing these government users from a successful network sharing or co-investment
the spectrum cannot be done in a reasonable arrangement. It is often difficult to explain clearly
timeframe. In Europe, the 2.3 GHz band is why potential sharing arrangements do not work
being considered for spectrum sharing between out, and the parties are commonly loathe to
government and commercial users . In the United detail in public the problems they encountered.
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States, the FCC is considering shared access to the Nevertheless, given all the benefits available to
3.5 GHz band for use by small cells . operators, it is somewhat surprising that sharing
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does not occur more frequently.

2.9 Learnings/recommendations It is clearly more difficult to achieve co-investment
in fixed networks, where there is less infrastructure
Achieving "further and faster" broadband competition than in mobile markets. This is an area
coverage is a key issue for most governments where government incentives, including in-kind
around the world. One of the options available to contributions, could bring about breakthroughs.
governments is to encourage network sharing or There may be particular merit in governments
co-investment, which will bring a range of benefits (including through utilities) co-venturing with
for governments. Little or no investment may be telecommunication operators to facilitate the rapid
required from government to make it happen, and roll-out of fixed broadband networks.

66 Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2016