UK Broadband response to ACMA consultation Transitioning the 3.5GHz band for future opportunities COMMENTS OF UK BROADBAND LTD UK Broadband Ltd (UKB) is the UK's largest commercial holder of national radio spectrum suitable for 4G mobile services and fixed wireless solutions. This spectrum includes 124MHz between 3400 and 3800MHz. UKB operates a London based TD-LTE internet service (Relish) using this spectrum and is presently rolling out this service across the UK. UK Broadband hereby submits its comments in response to the ACMA’s consultation on the transitioning of 3.5GHz licensing and the future opportunities presented by this important global mobile broadband frequency band. In particular we are keen to comment on the following questions posed by the consultation: The ACMA welcomes commentary from interested parties on the implications for Australia of the emerging international arrangements in the 3.5 GHz band. In particular, the ACMA invites views on whether the current lack of alignment with internationally harmonised standards for the band is considered a problem for current and aspirant users of the band. The ACMA welcomes any additional information that respondents may be able to provide on technologies and equipment that is being made available in the 3.5 GHz band. The ACMA welcomes commentary on whether stakeholders currently have a preference for TDD or FDD arrangements in the 3.5 GHz band Introduction We understand that the ACMA identified the 3.5 GHz band as a potential mobile band in its 2011 paper Towards 2020—Future spectrum requirements for mobile broadband. Since then there has been significant international developments concerning this band which the ACMA has reflected in changing the status of mobile services in the 3.5 GHz band from secondary to primary in the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan 2013 (ARSP 2013) to provide additional flexibility in the use of the band. Given the increasing consumption of mobile data and the scarcity of spectrum at lower frequency bands (sub 3GHz), UKB believes that the highest economic value for 3.5GHz can be derived from using the band for mobile broadband services based on International standards. We also believe that the
UK Broadband response to ACMA consultation Transitioning the 3.5GHz band for future opportunities COMMENTS OF UK BROADBAND LTD UK Broadband Ltd (UKB) is the UK's largest commercial holder of national radio spectrum suitable for 4G mobile services and fixed wireless solutions. This spectrum includes 124MHz between 3400 and 3800MHz. UKB operates a London based TD-LTE internet service (Relish) using this spectrum and is presently rolling out this service across the UK. UK Broadband hereby submits its comments in response to the ACMA’s consultation on the transitioning of 3.5GHz licensing and the future opportunities presented by this important global mobile broadband frequency band. In particular we are keen to comment on the following questions posed by the consultation: The ACMA welcomes commentary from interested parties on the implications for Australia of the emerging international arrangements in the 3.5 GHz band. In particular, the ACMA invites views on whether the current lack of alignment with internationally harmonised standards for the band is considered a problem for current and aspirant users of the band. The ACMA welcomes any additional information that respondents may be able to provide on technologies and equipment that is being made available in the 3.5 GHz band. The ACMA welcomes commentary on whether stakeholders currently have a preference for TDD or FDD arrangements in the 3.5 GHz band Introduction We understand that the ACMA identified the 3.5 GHz band as a potential mobile band in its 2011 paper Towards 2020—Future spectrum requirements for mobile broadband. Since then there has been significant international developments concerning this band which the ACMA has reflected in changing the status of mobile services in the 3.5 GHz band from secondary to primary in the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan 2013 (ARSP 2013) to provide additional flexibility in the use of the band. Given the increasing consumption of mobile data and the scarcity of spectrum at lower frequency bands (sub 3GHz), UKB believes that the highest economic value for 3.5GHz can be derived from using the band for mobile broadband services based on International standards. We also believe that the