GSM Band Liberalisation and 800 MHz spectrum

ComReg is developing its plans for the liberalisation of the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands currently used for the provision of second-generation (2G) GSM-based mobile services to consumers. The 790 – 862 MHz band will become available as part of the Digital Dividend when analogue switch off (“ASO”) occurs in Ireland, due to take place in Quarter 4 of 2012. ComReg intends to release spectrum in the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands in a simultaneous competition.

With the liberalisation of spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands and release of spectrum in the 800 MHz band, operators will be able to offer higher speed electronic communications services to consumers (such as mobile broadband and other innovative services) with better quality and more comprehensive coverage.

Here is a short summary of developments in Ireland, along with the relevant documents.

Consultations & Associated Documents

11/75 – Multi-band Spectrum Release Draft Information Memorandum

In October 2011, ComReg published its Draft Information Memorandum (Document 11/75) on the Multi-band (800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands) spectrum release.
Following a request from one interested party, ComReg extended the closing date for receipt of written comments to its Draft Information Memorandum Document (see Information Notice 11/82)

11/60 – Response to Consultation and Draft Decision on Multi-Band Spectrum Release

In August 2011, ComReg published its Response to Consultation and Draft Decision (Document 11/60) on the multi-band (800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands) spectrum release. At the same time, ComReg published an Annex to this Response to Consultation and Draft Decision (Document 11/60a)
ComReg also published three independent reports;
- DotEcon Report on “Award of 800MHz, 900MHz and 1800MHz spectrum - Further update report on benchmarking” (Document 11/59)
- DotEcon Report on “Issues relating to the award of spectrum in multiple bands in Ireland” (Document 11/58)
- Vilicom/Red-M Report entitled “Joint Technical Report, Mobile Operator Responses to 10/71, 10/105 and 11/11” (Document 11/57)
Following a request from three interested parties, ComReg extended the closing date for receipt of written comments to its Response to Consultation and Draft Decision Document (see Information Notice 11/63)
In October 2011, ComReg published recent correspondence(from July 2011 to September 2011) with interested parties (Document 11/69)

11/29 – Response to Consultation and Decision [D03/11] on Interim Licences

In April 2011, ComReg published its Response to Consultation and Decision (Document 11/29) [D03/11] on Interim Licences for the 900 MHz spectrum band.
Also in April 2011, ComReg published an Information Notice (Document 11/30) on the application procedure for an Interim 900 MHz GSM licence, alongside the Application Form for an Interim 900 MHz GSM licence (Document 11/31).
ComReg also published Regulations in respect of Interim 900 MHz GSM licences (SI 189 of 2011) in April 2011.
In May 2011, ComReg published recent correspondence(in the period following publication of submissions to ComReg Document 11/11) with interested parties (Document 11/37)
In July 2011, ComReg published;

11/11 – Consultation and Draft Decision on Interim Licences

In February 2011, ComReg published its sixth consultation (Document 11/11), which consults on Interim Licences for the 900 MHz spectrum band
In April 2011, ComReg published the non-confidential responses received to Consultation 11/11 and recent correspondence with interested parties (Document 11/27)

10/105 – Fifth Consultation

In December 2010, ComReg published its fifth consultation (Document 10/105), which consults on including 1800 MHz spectrum in the proposed joint award of the 800 MHz and 900 MHz spectrum bands.
ComReg also published two independent reports;

DotEcon Report on “Inclusion of the 1800MHz band in a joint award of spectrum in the 800MHz and 900 MHz bands” (Document 10/105a)

Vilicom/Red-M Report on “Retuning and Relocating GSM1800 Spectrum Assignments in Ireland” (Document 10/105b)

Following a request received from an interested party, ComReg extended the closing date for receipt of written comments to its fifth consultation (See Information Notice 10/111)
In February 2011, ComReg published the non-confidential responses received to Consultation 10/105 and recent correspondence with interested parties (Document 11/10)

10/71 - Fourth Consultation

In September 2010, ComReg published its fourth consultation (Document 10/71), which consults on the joint award of spectrum in the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands.
ComReg also published three independent reports;
- DotEcon Report on “Award of liberalised spectrum in the 900MHz and other bands” (Document 10/71a)
- DotEcon Report on “Award of 800MHz and 900MHz spectrum - Update report on benchmarking” (Document 10/71b)
- Vilicom/Red-M Report on “Retuning and Relocating GSM900 Spectrum Assignments in Ireland” (Document 10/71c)
Following a request from two interested parties, ComReg extended the closing date for receipt of written comments to its fourth consultation (see Information Notice 10/78).
In January 2011, ComReg published the non-confidential responses received to Consultation 10/71 (Document 10/103R)
In September 2010, ComReg published recent correspondence with interested parties (Document 10/79)

10/59 – Information Notice on 800 MHz and 900 MHz

In July 2010, ComReg published an Information Notice (Document 10/59) on the GSM liberalisation process in light of recent development regarding the availability of the 790 – 862 MHz spectrum band.
ComReg stated in this Information Notice that it would give consideration to the most appropriate process by which to release and assign rights of use of spectrum in both the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands.

09/99 - Third Consultation

In December 2009, ComReg published its third consultation (Document 09/99) along with non-confidential documents and recent correspondence with interested parties (Document 09/99s).
Following a request from an interested party, ComReg extended the closing date for receipt of written comments to its third consultation (see Information Notice 10/02).
In January 2010, ComReg received a query from an interested party concerning the structure of Spectrum Usage Fees in the proposal set out in Document 09/99. On foot of this query, ComReg published Information Notice 10/03 to clarify the matters raised.
In March 2010 the non-confidential responses received following the third consultation were published by ComReg (Document 10/21R).
Recent Questions and Answers Concerning Consultation 09/99.

09/14 - Second Consultation

In March 2009 ComReg published its second consultation (Document 09/14).
Following requests from interested parties, ComReg extended the closing date for receipt of written comments (see Information Notice 09/18).
In June 2009 the non-confidential responses received following the second consultation were published by ComReg (Document 09/51s).
ComReg also published a redacted copy of an independent report on potential cost savings prepared for ComReg by Vilicom Engineering Ltd (Document 09/14a).

08/57 - First Consultation

In July 2008 ComReg published its first consultation (Document 08/57).
Following requests from interested parties, ComReg extended the closing date for receipt of written comments (see media release PR290708).
Non-confidential copies of the responses provided by interested parties on the contents of the first consultation were published as Document 09/14s.

December 2009 – Independent Expert Economic Report

In March 2009, ComReg published an Invitation to Tender (Document 09/22) for the supply of economic consultancy services. Subsequent to this invitation, ComReg did not receive any tenders that were fully compliant with the minimum requirements set out in Document 09/22, leading to the disqualification of all applicants.
In May 2009, ComReg restarted the procurement process when it published a second Invitation to Tender (Document 09/40).
In June 2009, ComReg selected DotEcon Ltd for the supply of expert economic services.
In December 2009, ComReg published DotEcon’s report (Document 09/99c)

September 2009 – EC Decision on 900 MHz band

On the 16 September 2009, the EC adopted the following Decision on making the 900 MHz band available for GSM and UMTS systems, as well as for other terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services that can coexist with GSM systems. Directive 2009/114/EC

July 2009 - Bilateral Meetings with Consultation Respondents.

In June 2009, ComReg published Information Notice 09/51 announcing its intention to invite previous consultation respondents to attend a round of bilateral meetings in which they could speak to their previous written responses.
These bilateral meetings took place during July 2009 and in September 2009 the non-confidential minutes of these meetings were published by ComReg as Document 09/73.