Spectrum

Radio spectrum is a key resource used by the telecoms industry and governments to deploy wireless services. Users of radio spectrum include major global telecommunications providers such as mobile and fixed network operators, satellite operators, broadcasters, as well as variety of specific sectors worldwide, including media programme makers, private mobile radio users, enterprises and industries. Many essential public services also rely on access to radio spectrum including public safety, transport authorities, city and municipal authorities, defence and space research, amongst others.  With rapid evolution in wireless technologies and new models emerging for making use of spectrum on a shared basis, there are competing demands for spectrum, and new ways in which spectrum can be authorised for use.

Analysys Mason has been instrumental in shaping spectrum strategy and policy around the world, including analysis of spectrum demand, assessing spectrum fees and business cases, and participation in spectrum auctions. Over the past decade, we have advised industry and regulators on many of the 4G and 5G spectrum auctions that have occurred worldwide. We have also helped fixed telecoms and satellite companies to develop spectrum strategies for future business growth, and we have advised on emerging wireless deployments, such as private networks.

Our wide-ranging studies have helped regulators and operators to develop strategy, policy, forward-looking roadmaps and outlooks for spectrum, as well as perform change of use analysis, cost-benefit assessments, spectrum valuation and spectrum award preparation. Our reports are often published by regulators as part of consultations on spectrum strategy. Our advice encompasses the technical, regulatory, market and economic aspects of spectrum management and spectrum valuation.

We have in-house capability in radio planning as well as access to extensive market data on spectrum demand, including several of our own forecasts published by Analysys Mason Research. We maintain an extensive database of prices paid in spectrum auctions worldwide, enabling us to advise on auction reserve prices and annual licence fees through comparison to normalised benchmarks from other markets.

Spectrum management and policy

Our experience supporting regulators in relation to spectrum policy includes:

• spectrum strategy
• spectrum pricing and annual licence fees
• compatibility analysis in relation to neighbouring spectrum uses
• cost–benefit assessments of different spectrum band uses
• formulation of spectrum master plans and outlooks
• design of licence condition
• spectrum award design. 

We support operators and users in relation to:

• modelling of spectrum demand
• advising on network strategy and spectrum needs
• assessing the value of additional spectrum to an operator’s businesses
• drafting and reviewing regulatory consultations
• development of economic and technical arguments to support consultation responses.

Spectrum auctions

Our experts provide advice for regulators and operators in preparation for buying and selling spectrum, using proven methodologies for valuing radio spectrum.

We advise regulators on:

• strategies for making spectrum available
• assignment and award options for different frequency bands
• valuation of spectrum
• reserve price setting
• setting and measuring coverage obligations.

For operators, we provide:

• detailed analysis and modelling to determine spectrum strategy
• the value of different bands to an operator’s business
• analysis of the costs of meeting coverage obligations
• auction strategy. 

We have helped operators and regulators to value spectrum in all harmonised mobile bands, with particular recent expertise on valuing technical and commercial effects as a result of additional 4G and 5G band availability.