Multi Band Spectrum Award 2021

Document 22/70 – Information Notice – Multi Band Spectrum Award – ComReg lodges appeal against High Court order granting stay on implementation of the Auction

On 2 August 2022, ComReg published Document 22/70, an information notice notifying interested parties that on Monday 25 July 2022, ComReg lodged an appeal against the order granting the stay on the commencement of the Auction. On Friday 29 July 2022, the Court of Appeal made directions setting the appeal down for hearing on Wednesday 19 October 2022.

Document 22/63 – Information Notice – The potential issue of short-term rights in the 2.1 GHz band and possibly in other spectrum bands included in the Multi Band Spectrum Award

On 22 July 2022, ComReg published Document 22/63, an information notice on the potential issue of short-term rights in the 2.1 GHz band and possibly in other spectrum bands included in the Multi Band Spectrum Award.

Document 22/62 – Information Notice – Multi Band Spectrum Award – High Court grants stay on commencing the Auction

On 22 July 2022, ComReg published Document 22/62 notifying interested parties that the High Court has granted a stay on the commencement of the Auction.

Interim B 2.1 GHz Band Liberalised Use Licence

On 12 July 2022, ComReg published the application form for an Interim B 2.1 GHz Band Liberalised Use Licence (Document 22/60).

Interim A 2.1 GHz Band Liberalised Use Licence

On 12 May 2022, ComReg published the application form for an Interim A 2.1 GHz Band Liberalised Use Licence (Document 22/38).

Following application by Three in June 2022, ComReg granted an Interim A 2.1 GHz Band Liberalised Use Licence to Three on 18 July 2022. This licence will come into effect on 25 July 2022 and will expire on 15 October 2022.

2.1 GHz Band Liberalised Use Licences

On 31 May 2021, ComReg published the application form for a 2.1 GHz Band Liberalised Use Licence (Document 21/57).

In June 2021, Three and Vodafone applied for and were each granted a 2.1 GHz Band Liberalised Use Licence.

Regulations

On 28 May 2021 – ComReg, with the consent of the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Mr Eamon Ryan, made the following regulations

• Wireless Telegraphy (Liberalised use and related Licences in the 700 MHz duplex, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No 264 of 2021); and
• Wireless Telegraphy (Third Generation and GSM Licence (Amendment) and Interim Licensing) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No 265 of 2021).

Document 21/56 – Phase 1 Questions & Answers and related matters

On 28 May 2021 ComReg published Document 21/56, an Information Notice, containing the publication of questions properly submitted to the Multi Band Spectrum Award and ComReg’s final responses to same.

Alongside this document, ComReg has published updated versions of the editable PDF Phase 1 and Phase 2 Application Forms as Documents 21/40aR and 21/40bR respectively.

In response to Phase 1 Questions submitted to it, ComReg is also making available two spreadsheets showing:

• the calculation of Reserve Prices for Lots in the 700 MHz Duplex, 2.1 GHz Band, 2.3 GHz Band and 2.6 GHz Bands – Document MBSA2(21)046; and
• a simplified example of a refund calculation for the delayed commencement of a 700 MHz Lot – Document MBSA2(21)047.

Multi Band Spectrum Award – Presentations on Award Process and Auction Rules

On 7 May 2021, and in accordance with Section 3.3 and Table 17 of the Information Memorandum (Document 21/40), ComReg published a presentation pack on the Award Process and Auction Rules to provide as much clarity as possible on same. For ease of viewing, the presentation is split into five sessions and are available at the following links:

• Presentation 1 – Welcome and Agenda;
• Presentation 2 – Overview of the Award Process;
• Presentation 3 – Key Features of the Auction Process;
• Presentation 4 – Electronic Auction System Demonstration;
• Presentation 5 – Next Steps.

These presentations are also available in PDF format here.

Documents 21/40a and 21/40b – Writable PDFs of Annex 3a and 3b of Document 21/40

On 6 May 2021 ComReg published Annex 3a and 3b of Document 21/40 as writable PDFs. These are available as Documents 21/40a and 21/40b respectively.

Document 21/40 – Multi Band Spectrum Award – Information Memorandum and Draft Regulations – The 700 MHz Duplex, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz Bands

On 16 April 2021, ComReg published Document 21/40, an Information Memorandum on the Multi Band Spectrum Award.

ComReg also published 3 other documents:

• Response to Consultation on the Draft Information Memorandum (Document 21/39);
• DotEcon Report – Assessment of Responses to Draft IM (Document 21/39a); and
• DotEcon Report – Benchmarking Update (Document 21/39b).

As per paragraph 2.71 of Document 21/40, a Licensee which obtains Spectrum Blocks in the range 2305 to 2330 MHz is required to coordinate with any MBSA2 2.3 GHz Band Transition Licensee before the deployment of base stations within the coordination area identified in Document 20/122b (as may be updated by ComReg). The .SHP files for this are available for download here  – Coordination Area SHP file.

As per paragraph 2.73 of Document 21/40, a Licensee which obtains Spectrum Blocks in the 2.6 GHz Band must, among other things, ensure protection of all aeronautical primary radars operating in the 2700 – 2900 MHz frequency range by complying with the technical conditions detailed in the MBSA2 Licence Regulations. These include a coordination zone of 1 km around each radar location, in-band power flux density (pfd) limits, and out-of-band pfd limits. the radar location files are available for download here – Radar Location Files.

Document 21/04R – Appeal by Three in relation to Multi Band Spectrum Award – The 700 MHz Duplex, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz Bands

On 20 January 2021, ComReg published an information notice notifying interested parties of an appeal of its Decision as set out in Document 20/122. On 29 January 2021, ComReg published a revision to this Information Notice.

Document 20/122 – Multi Band Spectrum Award – Response to Consultation and Decision

On 18 December 2020, ComReg published its response to consultation and Decision – The 700 MHz Duplex, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz Bands

ComReg published alongside this document:

• Document 20/122a – an analysis prepared by ComReg’s economic and award design expert, DotEcon, of submissions received in response to Documents 19/124, 20/32 (where relevant to ComReg’s decision) and Documents 20/56 and 20/78 relating to the award design and format (published separately as Document 20/122a);
• Document 20/122b – an analysis prepared by ComReg’s technical expert, Plum, updating its co-existence modelling of RurTel and aeronautical radar with Wireless Broadband (WBB) in the 2.3 and 2.6 GHz bands given updated information relating to same (published separately as Document 20/122b); and
•  Document 20/122s – updated submissions to ComReg Documents 19/124, 20/32 and 20/56 (Document 20/122s)

Document 20/94 – Non-Confidential Submissions to ComReg Document 20/78

On 7 October 2020, ComReg published Document 20/94 – non-confidential submissions to ComReg Document 20/78.

Document 20/78 – Non-Confidential Submissions to ComReg 20/56

On 26 August 2020, ComReg published Document 20/78 – non-confidential submissions to ComReg Document 20/56. ComReg noted that should any interested party wish to make comment, ComReg would appreciate receipt of any submission by Wednesday 9 September 2020.

Document 20/68 – Non-Confidential Submissions to ComReg Document 20/32

On 24 July 2020, ComReg published Document 20/68 – non-confidential submissions to ComReg Document 20/32.

Document 20/63 – Extension to the consultation period for Document 20/56

On 15 July 2020 ComReg published Document 20/63, extending the time period to 12:00 hours on Monday 17 August 2020 for submissions to ComReg Document 20/56.

Document 20/56 – Information Notice

On 6 July 2020, ComReg published Document 20/56, an Information Notice requesting views from interested parties on auction formats including potential alternative options or modifications to ComReg’s proposed auction format on the Proposed Multi Band Spectrum Award for the 700 MHz Duplex, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands.

ComReg has also published non-confidential submissions to ComReg Document 19/124. These submissions are available in Document 20/56s.

Document 20/32 – Draft Information Memorandum and Draft Regulations

On 13 May 2020, ComReg published Document 20/32, a Draft Information Memorandum and Draft Regulations on the Proposed Multi Band Spectrum Award for the 700 MHz Duplex, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands.

ComReg has also published, in Annex 12 of Document 20/32, a DotEcon Report on Exposure Pricing.

Interested Parties have until 12:00 hours on 24 June 2020 for the submission of comments on Document 20/32.

Document 19/124 – Response to Consultation and Draft Decision on a Proposed Multi Band Spectrum Award for the 700 MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz Bands

On 20 December 2019, ComReg issued Document 19/124,  a response to consultation and Draft Decision on a Proposed Multi Band Spectrum Award for the 700 MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz Bands.

ComReg published alongside this document six independent Consultants Reports:

• Document 19/124a: an analysis prepared by ComReg’s economic and award design expert, DotEcon Limited (“DotEcon”), of submissions received in response to Document 19/59R relating to the award design and format;
• Document 19/124b: an analysis prepared by DotEcon, of submissions received in response to Document 19/59R that relate to the discussion of coverage obligations therein and the Coverage obligations and spectrum awards report (Document 18/103d);
• Document 19/124c: an analysis prepared by ComReg’s technical expert, Plum Consulting London LLP (“Plum”), of submissions received in response to Document 19/59R relating to matters of a spectrum engineering nature and addressing updated information relating to same;
• Document 19/124d: a report by Plum setting out the results of compatibility testing between the air traffic control radars at Shannon airport and future Mobile/Fixed Communications Networks deployments
• Document 19/124e: an analysis prepared LS telcom UK Ltd of submissions received in response to Document 19/59R relating to spectrum management options for Terrestrial Broadband Public Protection and Disaster Relief; and
• Document 19/124f: an analysis prepared by Oxera Consulting LLP, with Real Wireless Ltd, of submissions received in response to Document 19/59R that relate to the Future Mobile Connectivity Report (Document 18/103c).

ComReg also published Document 19/124g, the non-confidential submissions received to Document 19/59R, and other relevant material.

Annex 10 of Document 19/124 sets out the outdoor coverage obligations at specific locations including the description of the geographic coordinates. The Boundary Files as referenced in Annex 10 are provided below.

Specific Locations Boundary Files

Document 19/59R – Response to consultation and further consultation on a Proposed Multi Band Spectrum Award for the 700 MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz Bands

On 18 June 2019, ComReg issued Document 19/59 (updated on 5 July 2019 as Document 19/59R),  a response to consultation and further consultation on a Proposed Multi Band Spectrum Award for the 700 MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz Bands.

ComReg is publishing alongside this document five independent Consultants Reports:

• Document 19/59a: a report on the potential design of a spectrum award from its economic and award design consultants, DotEcon;
• Document 19/59b: a reserve price benchmarking and minimum prices report from DotEcon;
• Document 19/59c: a report from its technical consultants, Plum Consulting London LLP (Plum), regarding the potential compatibility and co-existence measures that might be necessary to facilitate the co-existence of future WBB networks in the 2.6 GHz band with aeronautical radars in the 2700 – 2900 MHz (the 2.7 GHz Band);
• Document 19/59d: a report from Plum analysing the potential compatibility and co-existence measures that might be necessary to facilitate the co-existence of future WBB networks in the 2.3 GHz with Eir’s Rurtel network, and wireless local area networks (WLANs) in the 2.4 GHz band (i.e. Wi-Fi), and;
• Document 19/59e: a report from its consultants, LS Telcom Ltd, examining the various network deployment options and spectrum requirements, if any, for any future deployment of Broadband Public Protection and Disaster Relief (BB-PPDR)

On 19 June 2019, ComReg published Document 19/59f, the non-confidential submissions to Document 18/60, Document 14/65 and other relevant material.

Document 18/103 – “Improving connectivity in Ireland – Challenges, solutions and actions.”

On 30 November 2018, ComReg published the results of three studies which together discuss some of the challenges, solutions and actions to improving connectivity in Ireland. The three reports published are:

• “Meeting Consumers’ Connectivity Needs” by Frontier Economics (Document 18/103b). This report and accompanying infographic (Document 18/103a) provides an overview of the challenges in providing connectivity for consumers in Ireland and outlines actions that can be taken by all stakeholders, including consumers, industry, government and ComReg, to optimise the levels of connectivity given these challenges.
• “Future Mobile Connectivity in Ireland” – by Oxera Consulting with Real Wireless (Document 18/103c). This report considers the future mobile connectivity services likely to emerge in Ireland and the estimated costs of providing connectivity to such services at high coverage levels in Ireland.
• “Coverage obligations and spectrum awards” – by DotEcon (Document 18/103d). This report examines options as to how appropriate coverage and rollout obligations could be included in future spectrum awards.

Document 18/60 – Proposed Multi Band Spectrum Award – Preliminary consultation on which spectrum bands to award

• On 29 June 2018, ComReg published a preliminary consultation with a particular focus upon the issue of which spectrum bands should be included in the proposed award of spectrum rights of use suitable for the provision of wireless broadband electronic communications services.
• ComReg was of the preliminary view that the 700 MHz Band (703–733 /758–788 MHz), 2.1 GHz Band (1920 -1980 / 2110 -2170 MHz ), 2.3 GHz Band (2300-2400 MHz) and the 2.6 GHz Band (2500-2570 / 2620-2690 MHz and 2570-2620 MHz) should be included in the proposed award.

Document 17/23 – Information Notice – Progress update on DTT migration to below the 700 MHz band: International coordination of Ireland’s DTT spectrum plan

• Whilst progressing the 3.6 GHz award process, ComReg was also actively engaged with relevant stakeholders to progress the repurposing of the 700 MHz Band from its current use for digital terrestrial television (“DTT”) services to its use by terrestrial systems capable of providing WBB electronic communications services (“ECS”). It has been established that 4 March 2020 is the date by which DTT services are to be migrated from the 700 MHz Band in Ireland, thereby making the band available for use for other services. The development of this work is detailed further in Document 17/23.

Document 15/14 – Information Notice – Update – Spectrum award – 2.6 GHz band with possible inclusion of 700 MHz, 1.4, 2.3 and 3.6 GHz bands

• In light of the submissions received to Document 14/101 and Document 14/126, ComReg, on 16 February 2015 published an Information Notice indicating that it intended to consider the possible release of rights of use in the 3.6 GHz band in a separate competitive award process.
• ComReg proceeded to consult upon and finalise the award of spectrum rights of use in the 3.6 GHz band. This auction took place in the first half of 2017, and on 1 June 2017 the final results of same were published in Document 17/46. All other documents and developments in relation to the 3.6 GHz Band can be found on the 3.6 GHz Band Spectrum Award Page here.

Document 14/101 – Spectrum award – 2.6 GHz band with possible inclusion of 700 MHz, 1.4, 2.3 and 3.6 GHz bands 

Document 14/101n – Information Notice: ComReg publishes first consultation on new spectrum award process

• In preparation for the release of new spectrum rights of use, ComReg, on 30 September 2014, published its consultation and corresponding information notice setting out its preliminary proposals on the details of a competitive award process for spectrum rights of use in the 700 MHz, 1.4 GHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz and 3.6 GHz bands. ComReg proposed the release of all of the above bands in the same award process, whilst noting certain peculiarities around the 3.6 GHz and 700 MHz bands which would require further assessment before coming to firm proposals.

ComReg also published an independent report – Document 14/102 – Spectrum Award – 2.6 GHz band with possible inclusion of 700 MHz, 1.4, 2.3 and 3.6 GHz bands