Analysis of Spectrum Valuation Elements for Local 5G Networks: Case Study of 3.5-GHz Band

Abstract

Radio spectrum is a scarce natural resource, whose efficient management calls for a thorough understanding of its value. A number of spectrum valuation approaches has emerged considering different elements, some with potentially high uncertainty as future profits, total cost of ownership and societal benefits. Spectrum valuation is important in regulators' 5G spectrum decisions and will face a new situation, where location specific services and higher carrier frequencies give rise to local network operator models. This paper analyses the existing spectrum management and spectrum valuation approaches and identifies key elements to consider, when defining and assessing the value of spectrum especially in the context of future local 5G networks. The growing pressure to open the mobile market for location and vertical specific 5G networks promotes new sharingbased spectrum access models, to allow the emergence of local 5G operators. We characterize the identified spectrum valuation elements in the context of these new local 5G networks from the perspectives of the different stakeholder roles including regulators, mobile network operators (MNOs) and entrant local 5G operators. We further present a spectrum valuation case study of the recent 5G spectrum decisions in the 3.5 GHz band in different countries.

Novel Spectrum Administration and Management Approaches Transform 5G Towards Open Ecosystemic Business Models

“…Higher mmWave frequencies and ever-increasing variety of spectrum bands with local distinct industrial use cases have further fragmented spectrum regulation [13]. Nationwide long-term spectrum assignments are complemented by local licenses [14], dynamic and shared spectrum access [15][16][17] and unlicensed access [18] that represents a major paradigm change in spectrum management for mobile communication networks.…”

5G Cellular and Fixed Satellite Service Spectrum Coexistence in C-Band

“…demands of future 5G and beyond networks is the unavailability of usable radio spectrum, i.e., spectrum scarcity caused due to the fragmentation of the spectrum and the current static frequency allocation policy [2], [3]. One possible approach to address this issue is to enable the sharing of the already allocated spectrum between different systems, leading to the concept of dynamic spectrum sharing [4]- [6].…”

Location Dependent Spectrum Pricing of Private LTE and 5G Networks in Europe

“…Because of this, there is also a need for a change in the supply side. In [5] spectrum pricing for local 5G networks is discussed from the viewpoints of three central stakeholder roles: the regulator, the MNO and the entrant local 5G micro-operator. Found elements of spectrum value are offered services, spectrum allocation and assignment method, location specific characteristics, and band specific characteristics.…”

“…Found elements of spectrum value are offered services, spectrum allocation and assignment method, location specific characteristics, and band specific characteristics. Matinmikko et al [5] state that "location specific characteristics in 5G will have a distinct role compared to prior generations, as the population density previously used for assessing the spectrum demand, network dimensions and service profits no longer necessarily applies to many upcoming 5G vertical use cases." The recently proposed micro licensing model [6,7], private LTE and 5G [8], and network slicing [9] are concepts for creating customized mobile communications services.…”