17 Nov 2020

Summary: UK SPF session on PSSR – sharing defence spectrum

Key points from SPF Cluster 3 meeting held virtually on 29 October 2020 at 10:00.

Public sector spectrum release – sharing Defence spectrum

The purpose of the meeting was to explore a possible method for how public sector and in particular Defence spectrum could be accessed by users on a shared basis and the mechanisms required to enable this. The Public Sector Spectrum Release Programme (PSSRP) has enabled the release of spectrum to increase efficiency of use and enhance the economic contribution of spectrum to the UK. PSSRP goals can be achieved by both change of use of spectrum, which has mostly been the case up to now, and the use of spectrum sharing to expand spectrum supply. This meeting explored the latter.

You can view the event's webpage here.

There were two presentations from MOD and William Webb followed by an interactive session with the audience the key points of which are set out below:

MOD presentation (James Youngs and Keith Tench):

Review of the PSSRP targets and progress to date (target is 750 MHz of spectrum under 10 GHz to be made available by 2022 of which 500 MHz to be made available by 2020).
An outline of Defence Controlled Dynamic Spectrum Access (DC-DSA) was provided, and it was highlighted that the approach being proposed by Defence could be applied to all Government spectrum.
Outline of Defence motivations for the proposed approach which included access to spectrum required by Defence when and where it needs it, while creating conditions to enable the maximum level of spectrum sharing. Defence spectrum needs are driven by operations requirements including the need to “train as we fight”.
A number of practical issues were explored, including insight into certain aspects of current use of Defence spectrum. The 2.3 GHz band was used to provide an example.
There are business case, economic, technical, and licensing issues to address for the proposed approach to be pursued and Defence is seeking supporting information on use cases that could be considered.
To make progress, industry needs to tell Ofcom of potential demand for spectrum that could be accessed through the proposed defence controlled shared spectrum approach.

William Webb presentation

The presentation set out a review of the history of Government spectrum and the private sector, highlighting that approaches designed to enhance efficient use of spectrum by Government have not delivered what was envisaged (e.g. AIP).
There was an underlying assumption when PSSRP was conceived that use of spectrum by Government was inefficient and that it could decrease its holdings of spectrum by releasing valued frequencies to those who value them more (e.g. mobile bands).
The above assumption can now be challenged with advances in technology and the increasing use of wireless in many applications, including defence – is there a need for more spectrum for defence?
While transfer has worked well so far with bands used on a global basis by mobile, going forward sharing rather than transfer looks a better approach (across all bands including mobile).
DSA could be a good approach. It allows for tailoring to bands and uses and can cope with complexity. An example is the use of CBRS in the US. A holistic approach to sharing is required across all bands.
The key issue to address now is one of information and in particular how to design and operate a sharing approach without compromising secrecy? This could be achieved by the MOD setting the database rules.
Going forward with this area requires a partnership between Government and Ofcom.

Key points from the discussion following the presentations are listed below:

It was questioned whether CBRS is really a good example, given that it is a complex system and has been relatively costly to implement. WW noted that much of the complexity was due to a need for sensing, and that if the database was to be operated by the MOD this would not be necessary because the MOD could directly populate usage.
There was a question regarding the institutional arrangements for spectrum management across Government and specifically whether the UKSSC still exists? DCMS clarified that there is a Spectrum Board working across Government that fulfils this role.
Is there a need for a sharing study and audit approach / need for new approach on propagation and sharing? WW suggested that sharing studies tended to be excessively risk averse and better solutions that monitored actual interference and adjusted database parameters should be considered.
Can SMEs play a key role in this development in addition to larger spectrum players? MOD clarified that the proposed DC-DSA approach is open to all spectrum users who may want to share spectrum.

Closure of the meeting

The meeting closed with a request from MOD to let them and Ofcom know about potential demand.

The chair thanked all participants for their contribution.

UK SPF Cluster 3 Meeting_201029

Tales Gaspar

Programme Manager, UK SPF and Satellite, techUK

Sophie Greaves

Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, techUK

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