Principles and Methods
Regional Workshop for the Arab Region on Guidelines on the Smooth Transition
of Existing Mobile Networks to IMT-2000 for Developing Countries
Riccardo Passerini
IMT-2000, ITU-
Focal Point IMT-2000, ITU-BDT
In this Presentation:
The Growth of Mobile Cellular
IMT-200 Spectrum and Licensing Considerations
Principles of licensing procedures and methods
Principles of licensing procedures
Licensing methods
Licensing Condition - Obligations of licensees
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1
1993-1999 actual, with forecasts to 2003.
Fixed Lines vs. Mobile Users, worldwide, Million Mobile users added each year, Million
250 107%
1'400 Mobile users as a %
Mobile Users 82% 95%
1'200 of fixed 67%
Fixed Lines 200
1'000 52%
150
800 38%
600 100
27%
400 20%
13%
50 9%
200 6%
0 0
1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Source: ITU World Telecommunication Indicators Database and ITU forecasts in Trends in
Telecommunications Reform, 2000 -2001: Interconnection Regulation .
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Trends – Mobile Growth (worldwide)
Cellular S ubs cribers (millio ns )
2500 World UMTS Forum
Americas
2000
Asia&Pacific Ovun
Europe&Africa ITU
1500
1000
500
0
1995 1998 2000 2001 2002 2006 2010
S ource : ITU Indica tors
Number of mobile subscribers already greater than fixed
2
Mobile Subscribers per 100 inhabitants, top75, 2003
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Mobile Subscribers per 100 inhabitants, top75, 2003
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3
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Arab States: Mobile Cellular subscribers (source ITU)
As % of total
CAGR Per 100 % telephone
(k) (%) inhabitants Digital subscribers
1998 2003 1998-03 2003 2003 2003
1 Algeria 18.0 1'441.4 140.3 4.54 ... 39.6
2 Bahrain 92.1 443.1 36.9 63.84 100.0 70.5
3 Comoros - 2.0 - 0.25 ... 13.1
4 Djibout 0.2 23.0 153.4 3.44 100.0 69.3
5 Egypt 90.8 5'797.5 129.6 8.45 100.0 39.9
6 Iraq - 80.0 - 0.32 ... 10.6
7 Jordan 82.4 1'325.3 74.3 24.19 100.0 68.0
8 Kuwait 250.0 1'420.0 41.5 57.16 100.0 74.5
9 Lebanon 505.3 820.0 10.2 23.43 ... 53.9
10 Libya 20.0 127.0 44.7 2.30 ... 14.5
11 Mauritania - 350.9 - 12.75 ... 90.2
12 Morocco 116.6 7'359.9 129.1 24.43 100.0 85.8
13 Oman 103.0 593.5 41.9 22.83 100.0 72.1
14 Palestine 100.0 480.0 36.9 13.27 ... 60.3
15 Qatar 65.8 376.5 41.8 53.31 100.0 67.1
16 Saudi Arabia 627.3 7'238.2 63.1 32.11 100.0 67.4
17 Somali - 500.0 - 4.17 ... 86.2
18 Sudan 8.6 650.0 137.5 1.95 ... 41.9
19 Syria - 1'185.0 - 6.75 100.0 36.1
20 Tunisia 39.0 1'947.8 118.7 19.69 ... 62.6
21 Uni. Arab Em. 493.3 2'972.3 43.2 73.57 100.0 72.4
22 Yemen 16.1 700.0 112.5 3.47 ... 56.4
Arab State 2'628.5 35'833.4 68.6 11.80 80.2 58.1
Note:Figures in italics are estimates or refer to years other than those specified.
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Figure 1: Top Mobile Economies (2000, millions)
United States 110
China 85.3
Japan 66.8
Germany 48.1 # of Subscribers
Italy 42.2
United Kingdom 40
France 29.1
Korea (Rep. Of) 26.8
Spain 24.7
Brazil 23.2
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Source: International Telecommunication Union
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Regulatory aspects to increase the mobile penetration
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IMT-2000 spectrum and licensing considerations
Ministry of Communications/National Regulatory Authority
Open multi-operator multi-service provider environment
Licensing regimes enable managed development of the
sector
Provide for access to scarce resources (Individual Licence)
Spectrum
Numbering
Access to land
Impose rights and obligations
Protect/promote consumer interests
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IMT-2000 spectrum and licensing considerations
Individual Licence
An authorisation which is granted by the Ministry of
Communications/National Regulatory Authority and which
gives an undertaking specific rights and obligations,
where the undertaking is not entitled to exercise the
rights concerned until it has received the decision is
taken by the Ministry of Communications/National
Regulatory Authority
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IMT-2000 spectrum and licensing considerations
Radio spectrum, which is a scarce, finite and valuable resource,
should be allocated in a way that achieves maximum efficiency
Allocation of spectrum, especially for public mobile networks,
raises many economic issues
Today licensing requires:
- Technical knowledge (standards + frequencies)
- Knowledge of local market environment
- Estimation of the future demand for services
More than 150 IMT-2000 licences have so far been awarded
globally
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IMT-2000 spectrum and licensing considerations
Key questions before licensing
How to contribute optimally to the development?
How to act so that current decisions will meet the requirements when a
commercial service of 3G starts?
What decisions are needed now and what could be decided later?
How will markets and technology develop?
Will the regulative framework change before the
networks are implemented?
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IMT-2000 spectrum and licensing considerations
Spectrum price
Spectrum must be available at the right price
What would be the right market value and the right price?
The right price can change between the licensing process and the start of
operation
Large up-front payments for spectrum will adversely affect the growth of 3G
services
The end user will always pay for the spectrum in the end
The number of licenses awarded has to be determined taking into account
the available spectrum and competition issues
The number of licenses to be awarded is an element of competition policy
and can critically determine the success or failure of the 3G regulatory
framework and of 3G service provision in general.
The ITU has nominated the bands to be considered for the implementation
of IMT-2000. Within these bands, each national government selects the
amount of spectrum to be made available for 3G services, taking into
account competing demands and uses for the spectrum.
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IMT-2000 spectrum and licensing considerations
Spectrum Licence fee
1. Fees can be set by the licensing Authority
(Administrative Fee)
Fixed fee – (fee may be cost plus)
2. Fees can be set by the market
Competitive Offer (Beauty Contest )
Competitive Bid (Auction)
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IMT-2000 spectrum and licensing considerations
Consideration for setting Licence Fees
Economic conditions
Perceived value of the market
Comparison with fees for other utility licences
Benchmarking with similar countries
Extent to which scarce resources are involved
Amount of spectrum to be used
Geographical location
Roll-out costs
End-user prices
Cost of issuing licence – including the process
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“Principles of licensing procedures and methods”
10
The public interest
Transparency
Public participation
Fairness
Non-discrimination
Efficiency
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Public interest
criteria for licensing should be based on the public
interest (however defined) and not on the interests of
any one or more of the parties (published in official
government documents as well as in electronic and
other media, such as website)
criteria should be as objective as possible
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Transparency (re criteria and process)
1. criteria must be published in enough detail to be
absolutely clear (in official government documents
as well as in electronic and other media, such as
website)
2. the entire process should be transparent (no ex
parte contact with applicants)
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Public involvement
1. the public should be invited to participate
in a meaningful way in the process
2. Invitations should be transparent, for
example, published in electronic and/or
other media freely available to the public
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Fairness
the process should be fair to all parties involved or
interested, including the public
all interested parties must have an adequate
opportunity to be heard
reasons must be given for decisions - decisions must
be rational
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Efficient
the process must not impose unnecessary burdens on
either the applicants or the independent regulator
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Non-discrimination
the criteria and process should be non-discriminatory
exceptions for appropriate set-asides for example, for
nationals
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Telecommunications legislation
Administrative procedures legislation or a
constitutional right to fair administrative procedures
Regulations (subordinate legislation)
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There are many methods of spectrum licensing that have
been used both for first and second generation mobile
licenses, as well as for IMT-2000 licenses.
Most countries have required special licenses in order for
operators to provide IMT-2000 services, while other
countries have taken a more flexible licensing approach
and allow operators to use current spectrum for IMT-2000
services and/or license spectrum use on a more generic
basis, such as for “advanced wireless services.”
Some regulators allow first and second generation systems
to migrate to IMT-2000 in their current bands and do not
require further authorization to do so
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Non-competing application procedures
First-Come, First-Served
Competing application procedures
Comparative processes (beauty contest)
Auctions
Lotteries
Hybrid
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First-Come, First-Served
When spectrum was not a scarce resource, regulators
used a first-come, first-served approach to licensing
spectrum.
Royalty payments (e.g.):
- Fixed fee for first five years,
- thereafter 5% of the annual 3G revenue
As spectrum has become more valuable, the regulator is
unlikely going to assign frequencies on a first-come, first-
served basis any more, except in the most remote areas
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First-Come, First-Served
Advantages First Come, First Served
Speed
Inexpensive
Disadvantages First Come, First Served
License may not end up in the hands of an entity that
values it the most and can bring greatest value to the
economy.
The value of the license is not taken into account.
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Comparative applications (Beauty Contest)
Auctions
Lotteries
Hybrid
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In a “beauty contest” (also referred as “beauty parade” or “comparative
hearing/parade), the Regulator/Ministry selects/scores the winning
applicant using comparative criteria (scoring Matrix, annex 2).
Used for 2G in many countries and it has also been used in some
countries to issue licenses for IMT-2000.
Criteria to compare the prospective license applications are established
and can include:
- the technical and financial stability of the applicants,
- the technical characteristics of the system being deployed,
- the coverage area being proposed,
- the schedule for build-out”(roll out).
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1. Proposed selection criteria and process chosen by
the independent regulator
2. Public given an opportunity to comment on
proposals (e.g. three months)
3. Final selection criteria (Tender Document) and
process (Scheduling table) made public by the
independent regulator
4. Applications are called for
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5. Applications are submitted (e.g. six months)
6. Public given an opportunity to comment on
applications (e.g three months)
7. Applicants given an opportunity to reply to public
comment (at least three months)
8. A hearing may be held where the regulator can
question the applicants and/or the public can
question the applicants
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!
9. The independent regulator may, at any time, call
for additional information from applicants
10. The independent regulator considers all
information and makes a decision (Evaluation
Phase) on who should be awarded the license
(with reasons given)
11. There could be an appeal process built in here
12. The license is awarded
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Advantages Beauty Contests
if done properly, the BEST applicant will be awarded the license
Allows the regulator to determine the contender that will best
serve the public interest.
Final costs for operators are more easily predicted than other
options such as auctions. The money to the investment to
develop the networks and services for the user benefits.
Long term benefit for the economy/society than short term help
to the state budget
More freedom for the regulator to amend the regulation if needed
(national roaming, convergence, new market needs etc.)
Allows for equity considerations, such as minority ownership,
small business ownership, etc.
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Disadvantages Beauty Contests
Can be a lengthy process, particularly if the license is valuable.
Applicants are often willing to exhaust all administration and litigation
options. Costly in terms of money and other resources, a subjective
process and likely to be reviewed in the courts, requires an experienced
and strong regulator to consider applications competently and without
undue influence by any of the interested parties
Can get expensive for the applicants if they are willing to spend large
sums of money to succeed in the beauty contest process.
Provides no method for deciding between two applicants that are
essentially equal. The regulator may ultimately have to arbitrarily award
the license.
Government is responsible for choosing between alternative business
plans stretching well into the future, and relating to new products and
services that have not yet been developed.
Need to be carefully structured to be fully transparent. Doubts over
transparency of beauty contest process can lead to suspicions and
dissatisfaction with the outcome.
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Auctions award the licenses based upon the bidders’ willingness to pay.
Since the 1990s when spectrum auctions first began to be used for
awarding spectrum licenses, billions of dollars have been raised in
spectrum auctions and a fierce debate has arisen concerning the
efficiency, competitive impact and social implications of this form of
allocating spectrum.
There are a variety of methodologies that have been used for spectrum
auctions, including continuous, simultaneous multiple-round, and package.
Preliminary minimum criteria re technical and financial ability (or other
such criteria such as requirements for local participation or
empowerment/affirmative action participation) applied to obtain entry as a
bidder (pre-qualification phase)
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Advantages Auctions
The costs to government are less than with comparative application
processes and the process is not as lengthy in time
License goes to the entity that values it the most. Auctions promote
economic efficiency, one of the goals of spectrum management.
Winning bids should come from the companies that can find ways of
maximizing the stream of future benefits.
Spectrum is a public resource and therefore the profits benefit the
citizens. The proceeds of the auction go to the government for national
purposes (results in taxpayer sharing of national spectrum resource)
Auctions can provide information about the economic value of spectrum.
For instance, if applicants are willing to pay a high price to be able to
provide one service, but will pay a very low price for a different service,
then the regulator can determine which service has greater economic
benefit and, therefore, can determine where it needs to focus its future
spectrum management efforts.
–
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Disadvantages Auctions (1)
Auctions may lead to increased concentration in the industry. The regulator
can consider placing spectrum caps to limit the amount of spectrum that
one entity can hold, or limit eligibility to participate to non-incumbents. In
addition, a nation can address monopoly concerns through its antitrust
laws or competition policies.
Auctions may ignore non-financial objectives that are in the public interest,
such as equity considerations. The auction design can support those
objectives by including strategies such as set-asides and providing bidding
credits for certain groups that commit to addressing certain public interest
factors.
There may be some incentive for the government to act like any monopoly
by restricting output and raising the price. In other words, if the government
wanted to maximize the revenues to the treasury, it could withhold
spectrum.
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Disadvantages Auctions (2)
Auctions may result in speculatively high bids for licenses for services
that are not commercial at the time of the auction. Auctions can also be
affected by hype and other non-economic forces.
Full information on IMT-2000 market characteristics is not always
available, leaving some or all bidders without adequate information on
market conditions, the regulatory environment, demand characteristics
and the likely pricing structures.
Likeliness of winner’s curse that results in high prices for the
license and leads to decreased investment capacity for operators
and high end-user prices
often money that should be used to build a network and provide
services is spent buying a license in the first place and thus
consumers in the end are disadvantaged with higher prices, and if
there is not a clear process and consistent and fair application of the
process, then it is likely to be challenged in the courts
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Lotteries - preliminary minimum criteria re technical and
financial ability (or other such criteria such as requirements
for local participation or empowerment/affirmative action
participation) applied to obtain entry as a lottery player to
participate to the random selection
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Advantages Lotteries
the costs are less than with comparative processes
and the process is not as lengthy in time
Provides a mechanism for selecting from substantially
equal applications.
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Disadvantages Lotteries
The license may be awarded to an entity that is not qualified to build
and operate the system. Any person may be able to participate in the
lottery if no pre-qualification requirements are set. The regulator can
establish criteria for participation in the lottery. However, this can be
legally challenged and make the lottery process a lengthy one.
Speculators will participate in the lottery, with the purpose of reselling
the license and reaping huge windfall profits. Reselling the license is
known as “flipping it.” So rather than the public getting the benefit of the
revenues, the lottery winner will realize the revenues from the sale of
licenses they got for minimal investment.
If an unqualified party wins the lottery, the regulator has the challenge
of deciding whether to let them sell it or not.
winners often use the process to buy a “lottery ticket” and never intend
to operate a network or provide a service, but simply want to resell a
valuable asset (the license) for profit, thus you are not likely to get the
best applicant
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"#
A number of countries, including Austria, Italy and Hong
Kong, have adopted a “hybrid” approach to IMT-2000
license allocation.
Tenderers have to pre-qualify in terms of criteria similar
to those established for beauty contests to bid.
Licenses are then allocated on the basis of an auction.
Advantages and disadvantages of a hybrid approach are
themselves a combination of the advantages and
disadvantages of beauty contests and auctions.
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Advantages Hybrid
Ensures that contenders have appropriate resources and business
plans to serve the public interest. Can require that licensees meet
specific policy goals.
License goes to the qualified entity that values it the most. Winning
bids should come from the qualified companies that can find ways of
maximizing the stream of future benefits.
Spectrum is a public resource and therefore the profits benefit the
citizens. The proceeds of the auction go to the government for
national purposes.
Allows for equity considerations, such as minority ownership, small
business ownership, etc.
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"#
Disadvantages Hybrid (1)
Auctions may lead to increased concentration in the industry. The
regulator can consider placing spectrum caps to limit the amount of
spectrum that one entity can hold. In addition, a nation can address
monopoly concerns through its antitrust laws or competition
policies.
Can be time consuming, particularly if the license is valuable.
Applicants are often willing to exhaust all administration and
litigation options.
Beauty contest portion needs to be carefully structured to be fully
transparent. Doubts over transparency of beauty contest process
can lead to suspicions and dissatisfaction with the outcome.
Can get expensive for the applicants if they are willing to spend
large sums of money to succeed in the beauty contest portion of the
process.
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"#
Disadvantages Hybrid (2)
There may be some incentive for the government to act like any
monopoly by restricting output and raising the price. In other words,
if the government wanted to maximize the revenues to the treasury,
it could withhold spectrum.
Auctions may result in speculatively high bids for licenses for
services that are not commercial at the time of the auction. Auctions
can also be affected by hype and other non-economic forces.
Full information on IMT-2000 market characteristics is not always
available, leaving some or all bidders without adequate information
on market conditions, the regulatory environment, demand
characteristics and the likely pricing structures.
Likeliness of winner’s curse that results in high prices for the
license and leads to decreased investment capacity for operators
and high end-user prices
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$
Other Auction
17% 18%
A
combination Beauty
of these contest
17% 19%
first come,
first served
29%
Source: ITU
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3G Licences: Average Cost per Inhabitant
$0 $100 $200 $300 $400 $500 $600
Spain 3/2000 $11 Beauty Contest
$592 Auction
United Kingdom 3/2000
Germany 7/2000 $558 Auction
Netherlands 7/2000 $157 Auction
Italy 10/2000 $176 Auction
Austria 11/2000 $74 Auction
Norway 11/2000 $10 Beauty Contest
Korea (Rep. Of) 12/2000 $65 Beauty Contest
Portugal 12/2000 $36 Beauty Contest
Switzerland 12/2000 $16 Auction
Sweden 12/2000 $5 Beauty Contest
Canada 1/2001 $48 Auction
New Zealand 1/2001 $13 Auction
Australia 3/2001 $18 Auction
Belgium 3/2001 $41 Auction
Source: ITU
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%
Number of mobile subscribers
mobiles
2 500 000
Sept 2000
2 000 000
2004
1 500 000
2003
1 000 000
2002
Sept 99
2001
500 000
1998 2000
0
Actual 1996 forecasts 1999 forecasts
Source: ITU Effective Regulation: Moroccan Case Study.
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#
ITU Case Studies on Effective
Regulation: Moroccan Case Study
Morocco found at at :http://www.itu.int/ITU-
D/treg/Case_Studies/Index.html
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“Licensing Condition - Obligations of licensees”
Rights and Obligations should be contained in regulation,
not in licenses
Licensing conditions are among the regulatory issues that
are of importance to developing countries
Technology Requirements
Financial requirements
Coverage
Timing of IMT-2000 licenses
Number of operators
Infrastructure Sharing
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Technology Requirements:
It is worth considering whether policy
makers/regulators should follow a technology
neutral approach or should mandate a particular
technology and related migration path. A
technology neutral approach on has led to
considerable benefits to end users in terms of a
rapid technological evolution and lower prices.
Financial requirements:
Helps eliminate non-serious players and ensure a
certain level of performance.
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Coverage:
To prevent the development of information-rich and
information-poor communities, the policy makers/regulators
of the various countries will need to ensure ubiquitous
access to IMT-2000 services. However, from the service
provider’s point of view, it may not be viable to roll out
expensive infrastructure in high-cost areas. It may be
preferable to roll out network coverage in phases, based on
demand and likely applications. Existing technologies and
systems in place should have a scalable low cost migration
path. Case studies have shown that operators can
undertake gradual, phased upgrades to IMT-2000.
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Coverage and Roll-out
To encourage the efficient use of spectrum by not leaving it unused
longer than necessary
To encourage infrastructure competition
Coverage obligations introduced in many licences issued so far
Roll-out of the 3G networks should be done according to market
demand
Coverage obligations should be linked to level of network service
capability
There is a danger of regulation driving the market if the level of these
obligations is set too high
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Timing of IMT-2000 licenses:
The timing for introduction of a new service is crucial and
varies from country to country. It is necessary to judge the
market potential and to deploy technologies that are proven
and established. Developing countries can ill-afford to
experiment with technology. However, the process of
introducing wideband wireless services is time consuming
and would require licensing and regulatory preparedness
from an early period. It would be advisable that developing
countries begin consultation right as early as possible.
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Number of operators:
The limited availability of spectrum restricts the number of
operators. In developed countries 3 to 5 operators have
been preferred. Another issue is who should be eligible for
this license: fixed operators, mobile operators, new
operators, all or a combination of these. Japan, as an
example, decided to exclude fixed operators from the
licensing process. Mandatory roaming on 2 G networks: In
case new operators are allowed to enter on the market, the
regulator should decide whether to impose or not the
obligation, on existing mobile operators, to provide pre-IMT-
2000 roaming services to new entrants.
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Infrastructure Sharing:
Infrastructure sharing is particularly important for countries
with widely dispersed populations and emerging mobile
markets. It reduces the cost of network deployment and can
improve penetration. It would also be necessary to identify
the elements that can be shared, the amount of cost
reduction that such sharing would bring about, for example,
antenna masts, towers, and land building. Another issue for
discussion is whether the regulator should play a pro-active
role to encourage infrastructure sharing or should it be left
entirely for operators.
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Sharing of facilities/infrastructure and National Roaming
Sharing of facilities can give a rapid deployment of networks and
introduction of services
Sharing of network infrastructure may conflict with the goal of infrastructure
competition
Sharing should be on a commercial basis
National roaming may be a way to achieve coverage of unprofitable regions
Licence conditions should allow commercially negotiated roaming
agreements, if infrastructure competition is maintained
National roaming should only as an exception be mandatory. It can during a
transitionally period help new operators to establish a market
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Miscellaneous items
Offered transmission speed
Some licences indicate minimum requirements, e.g. 256 kbit/s
(depending on the level of mobility)
Duration of the licence
Offering licences for a period of less than 10 years would not
encourage any serious deployment of infrastructure
Technical standard
Some licences clearly indicate the standard to be used, some ”within
the ITU IMT-2000 family of standards”
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/obligation
Miscellaneous items
Universal service obligations
Telecommunications as a right
Economic development
Close gap between haves and have nots
Other social obligations
Human resource development
Technical
Management
Other
Encouraging ownership and control to promote
diversity – local partners
Minimum ownership and control by certain categories of persons
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