3G-infrastructure sharing: the future for mobile networks

22 February 2008

Sample pages and contents

Sample pages

Data annex

Table of contents

0	Summary
1	Commercial pressures are reviving interest in 3G-network sharing
1.1	Early interest in network sharing subsided, but MNOs have new reasons to reconsider this approach
1.2	MNOs are examining ways to reduce costs
1.3	MNOs are faced with extensive investment requirements
1.4	MNOs must expand 3G coverage to match 2G coverage
1.5	3G enhancements will require substantial investment
1.6	Infrastructure equipment vendors have been quick to provide network-sharing solutions
1.7	Regulators have supported a degree of network sharing
1.8	Major MNOs have announced network-sharing agreements
2	MNOs that lead the network-sharing trend will enjoy major benefits
2.1	Network sharing can take many forms
2.2	Network sharing can have significant cost benefits for MNOs
2.3	Network sharing can enable MNOs to accelerate roll-out
2.4	Network sharing enables MNOs to deploy LTE, and they could gain additional benefits by pooling spectrum
2.5	Network sharing gives MNOs greater influence over network infrastructure vendors
2.6	Network sharing provides competitive advantage and avoids competitive disadvantage
2.7	Network sharing will become common in developed markets
3	There are nine critical success factors for network sharing
3.1	MNOs must heed the lessons from early adopters
3.2	Speed is of the essence, but agreements must not be rushed
3.3	MNOs need to select appropriate partners, with the optimal strategic match
3.4	Partners in a sharing agreement should have clear, common goals
3.5	MNOs should have a robust agreement that adequately covers commercial, technical and legal issues
3.6	MNOs should adopt a carefully planned, phased approach that minimises risk and maximises short-term benefits
3.7	Network-sharing partners need a flexible agreement that allows for service and technological differentiation
3.8	MNOs must work with regulators to avoid anti-competitive behaviour
3.9	MNOs need an effective strategy towards legacy 2G network infrastructure
3.10	Effective vendor support is essential
4	Network sharing has profound implications for MNOs, vendors, regulators and others
4.1	The benefits of network sharing are applicable in all markets
4.2	Network sharing brings new opportunities for MNOs and increases their focus on service differentiation
4.3	Network sharing will radically change the network infrastructure business
4.4	Regulators need to prepare for new competition issues and a changing industry structure
4.5	There will be new opportunities for third parties to design, build and operate shared networks
	Actions

List of Figures and Tables

Figure 0.1:	Incremental capex and opex over ten years for a 3G-only MNO and a 2G/3G MNO, with and without 3G RAN sharing
Figure 1.1:	Monthly mobile service ARPU in Western Europe, 1998–2007
Figure 1.2:	MNOs’ investment requirements
Figure 1.3:	Mobile-originated voice traffic as a proportion of total voice traffic in Western Europe, 1Q 2005–4Q 2008
Table 1.1:	Major enhancements to the UMTS radio interface, defined by 3GPP
Figure 2.1:	Network and business elements that MNOs could share
Table 2.1:	Comparison of the three broad categories of network sharing
Figure 2.2:	Network expansion options for a 3G-only MNO and a 2G/3G MNO
Figure 2.3:	Incremental capex and opex over ten years for a 3G-only MNO and a 2G/3G MNO, with and without 3G RAN sharing
Figure 2.4:	Network expansion options for two 2G/3G MNOs
Figure 2.5:	Incremental capex and opex over ten years for two 2G/3G MNOs, with and without 3G RAN sharing
Figure 2.6:	Comparison of strategic investment options enabled by independent 3G RAN ownership and 3G RAN sharing
Figure 2.7:	Hutchison 3G’s number of 3G base stations in the UK, December 2003–December 2009 (assuming network sharing from 2008)
Figure 2.8:	Estimated downlink data rates achieved by LTE in different radio conditions
Figure 2.9:	Estimated network capacities achieved by LTE in different operating bandwidths with a typical 10 000 base station network deployment
Figure 3.1:	Total incremental cost of different RAN-sharing scenarios for a typical 10 000 base station network deployment
Figure 4.1:	Total base station equipment sales over ten years to two typical MNOs for different RAN-sharing scenarios