Strategy

1. Providing a positive influence on the UK position in international spectrum forums:

• We hosted the third Future Spectrum Policy Summit, alognside IEEE's DySPAN, bringing together an international audience to discuss pressing issues with speakers from the UK Government, Ofcom, and Emergency services. 

2. Being an effective advocate for spectrum users with Government to ensure that spectrum remains high on their agenda:

• We published two reports. One explored the Future of the UHF band after 2034 - An analysis of options in the UK assessing how the UK's 470–694 MHz Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band—currently vital for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE), and mobile communications—can be optimally managed after current DTT licenses expire in 2034.
• The second report, Exploring a new framework for defence spectrum sharing in the UK, examined the future of spectrum sharing between civilian and military users in the UK.
• Cluster 3 held a workshop showcasing the interim findings from the three DSIT Spectrum Sandbox projects, foscuing on exploring innovative methods for spectrum sharing within Ofcom-licensed Sandbox environments, with the goal of improving sharing parameters and gaining an understanding of the potential economic benefits.
• While, Cluster 1&4 held a joint workshop focused on the evolving landscape of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and their impact on spectrum management.

3. Progressing our other longer-term goals:

• We published a study on the use cases of Artificial Intelligence for Spectrum Management, identifying factors required for a cost-benefit analysis (CBA), particularly the trade-offs for implementation by Ofcom.
• In partnership with the University of Strathclyde and several other academic and research organisations, Cluster 2 held the Future Communications and 6G a to address global telecommunications challenges and strategize for the next generation of communication technologies.

1. Contributing to formulation of the UK position in international spectrum forums:

• We held the second Future Spectrum Policy Summit discussing topics around the results from WRC-23 and what to expect ahead of WRC-27 with industry experts representing different sectors of the spectrum user community.
• We enhanced our relationship with RSPG, DGCNECT, FCC and other Eurpean bodies such as Arcep, the ECC, and ESA hosting talks at Plenary sessions and Steering Board meetings. 
• Cluster 4 hosted a review of WRC-23 bringing together the spectrum community to discuss the outcomes and first impressions from the month-long agreements at WRC-23.

2. Being an effective advocate for spectrum users with Government to ensure that spectrum remains high on their agenda:

• We published a report on the Review of use case requirements in the 3.8-4.2GHz band, which examined the current and future of the band within Ofcom’s Shared Access License framework, contributing to the overall policy discussions around the use of this frequency band in the UK and related debates in other jurisdictions, where the discussions on the future of access bands for 5G are constantly growing.
• Clusters hosted workshops around the future demand for licence exempt spectrum, the third edition of the Shared Access Licence Forum, alongside a workshop looking at connectivity from the sky. 

3. Progressing our other longer-term goals:

• Exploring the opportunities for exploitation of higher frequencies (millimetre wave and terahertz bands) whilst ensuring the availability of suitable and sufficient low and mid bands for all wireless applications and services.
• Exploring innovative solutions to accessing spectrum & promoting flexible spectrum access methods. including considering when authorisation mechanisms should provide for exclusive use.
• We hosted a 6G Spectrum workshop addressed the key issues around AI 1.7 as well as relevant topics on how to allocate spectrum for 6G technology and military interest around it.

1. Providing a positive influence on the UK position in international spectrum forums:

• • we worked with Government and Ofcom to promote UK positions to secure international agreements that enable the UK to capitalise on the value of spectrum.
  • we initiated and enabled multi-sector discussions on a wide range of WRC-23 agenda items, including AI 1.5, 1.17 or AI 10 working with Ofcom and industry on WRC-23, WRC-27 and future WRC issues.
  • we published two reports (7-24 GHz opportunities for 6G & Future Utilisation of 470-694 MHz band in the UK) which contributed and fed into WRC discussions.
  • we frequently engaged and interacted with ITU and other regional preparatory, such as groups CEPT, CITEL or EU’s RSPG.

2. Being an effective advocate for spectrum users with Government to ensure that spectrum remains high on their agenda:

• • we published the Market Mechanisms Review – noted by the DSIT Wireless Infrastructure Strategy
  • SPF Chairs David Meyer followed by Abhaya Sumanasena acted as advocates for spectrum users with government and Ofcom

3. Progressing our other longer-term goals:

• • at a request of Government, we formed a Cluster 3-led Forum to act as neutral information hub on spectrum sharing.
  • we published 7-24 GHz opportunities for 6G, a report on the potential usable spectrum for 6G networks in that range
  • we published & Future Utilisation of 470-694 MHz band in the UK, exploring and identifying four post-2030 scenarios for the use of UHF band
  • we held seminars on a wide range of topics (such as direct satellite-to-cellular connectivity), exploring new developments and technologies as well as their spectrum implications

1. Providing a positive influence on the UK position in international spectrum forums:

• Working with Government and Ofcom to promote UK positions to secure international agreements that enable the UK to capitalise on the value of spectrum.
• Working with Ofcom and industry on WRC-23, WRC-27 and future WRC issues

2. Being an effective advocate for spectrum users with Government to ensure that spectrum remains high on their agenda:

• Advocating the role of spectrum in addressing the big challenges facing society in the next 10-15 years, including examining the implications for vertical policy interests such as transport and telemedicine
• Advising on the consequences for spectrum users of adopting specific policies, for example with respect to the future of different mobile technologies

3. Progressing our other longer-term goals:

• Exploring the opportunities for using the millimetre wave bands for IMT and other applications
• Developing ‘protocols’ for transmission and receiver equipment which support more efficient use of spectrum
• Promoting flexible spectrum access methods, including considering when authorisation mechanisms should provide for exclusive use
• Exploring 6G spectrum policy issues

1. Providing a positive influence on the UK position in international spectrum forums

• Working with Government and Ofcom to promote UK positions to secure international agreements that enable the UK to capitalise on the value of spectrum.
• Exploring ideas for improving the WRC process and starting work
• Working with Ofcom and industry on WRC-23 and WRC-31

2. Being an effective advocate for spectrum users with Government to ensure that spectrum remains high on their agenda:

• Advocating the role of spectrum in addressing the big challenges facing society in the next 10-15 years, including examining the implications for vertical policy interests such as transport telemedicine
• Advising on the consequences for spectrum users of adopting specific policies, for example with respect to the future of different mobile technologies

3. Progressing our other longer-term goals:

• Exploring the opportunities for using the millimetre wave bands for IMT and other applications
• Developing ‘protocols’ for transmission and receiver equipment which support more efficient use of spectrum
• Promoting flexible spectrum access methods, including considering when authorisation mechanisms should provide for exclusive use

1. Providing a positive influence on the UK position in international spectrum forums:

• Working with Government and Ofcom to secure international agreements that enable the UK to capitalise on the value of spectrum.
• Exploring ideas for improving the WRC process

2. Being an effective advocate for spectrum users with Government to ensure that spectrum remains high on their agenda:

• Advocating the role of spectrum in addressing the big challenges facing society in the next 10-15 years, including examining the implications for vertical policy interests such as transport and telemedicine
• Advising on the consequences for spectrum users of adopting specific policies, for example with respect to the future of different mobile technologies

3. Progressing our other longer-term goals:

• Exploring the opportunities for using the millimetre wave bands for IMT and other applications,
• Developing ‘protocols’ for transmission and receiver equipment which support more efficient use of spectrum.
• Promoting flexible spectrum access methods, including considering when authorisation mechanisms should provide for exclusive use

1. Providing a positive influence on the UK position within the EU and ITU:

• We held workshops on key WRC-19 agenda items, particularly as they affect IMT, and future agenda items
• To prepare for WRC-23 we published a study by LS Telcom on the technical options for future use of the upper UHF frequencies

2. Effective advocate for spectrum users with Government:

• We published an updated report on demand for spectrum from key sectors
• We published a report advising government on the importance to spectrum users of meaningful evaluation of spectrum use, and making recommendations for an updating of the evaluation published in 2012

3. Progressing our long-term goals for spectrum use:

• We published a paper by Qinetiq on resilience with ‘best practice’ guidelines for all businesses reliant on spectrum

1. Providing a positive influence on the UK position within the EU and ITU:

• We provided advice to Ofcom and DCMS on key WRC-19 agenda items, including publishing an update of our 5G spectrum report focussing on 26 GHz, and holding a workshop on High Altitude Platform Systems
• To prepare for WRC-23 we commissioned a study from LS Telcom on the technical options for future use of the upper UHF frequencies

2. Effective advocate for spectrum users with Government:

• We have developed our relationship with Government and Ofcom, through our Cluster workshops and welcoming Philip Marnick, Group Director of Spectrum at Ofcom, to a Q&A briefing with the Steering Board.

3. Progressing our long-term goals for spectrum use:

• We published a report on Flexible Spectrum Access Methods by Plum Consulting with recommendations for liberating value from spectrum use by deploying a greater variety of licensing mechanisms.
• We published a paper by Qinetiq on resilience and initiated work on ‘best practice’ guidelines for all businesses reliant on spectrum
• We held workshops on the future use of millimetre wave bands, increasing access to public sector spectrum bands, and improving efficient use of spectrum through equipment design.

1. Providing a positive influence on the UK position within the EU and ITU:

• We have supported Ofcom and DCMS in their preparations for WRC-19 Agenda Items 1.13 (Spectrum for IMT) and 1.16 (5GHz RLAN) by developing positions/advice, most notably in the publication of SPF documents on 5G spectrum and on the 5GHz band
• We provided early advice on the implications of Brexit on Spectrum Management for the UK, including release of an SPF commissioned study on the matter.
• We ran workshops to help gather industry views for DCMS on spectrum aspects of the European Commission’s proposed new European Electronics Communication Code (EECC).

2. Being an effective advocate for spectrum users with Government to ensure that spectrum remains high on their agenda:

• We supported the spectrum clauses in the Digital Economy Bill and have built on our relationship with Government and Ofcom, with specific acknowledgement in the 5G Action Plan and some good engagement with Ofcom via our Cluster workshops.

3. Progressing our longer-term goals:

• We ran workshops to support the release of more public sector spectrum for private sector use, working in particular with MoD, - these helped us to make progress in teasing out potential demand for different frequencies and applications, and to develop further proposals for sharing frequencies.
• We held workshops on the future use of millimetre wave bands and on resilience to stimulate new approaches and opportunities for creating value.

We brought new members on board and have improved our financial position to ensure that resources are available to deliver on our forward work programme for 2017/18.

1. Providing a positive influence on the UK position within the EU and ITU:

• We worked with Ofcom and DCMS develop meaningful agenda items for WRC19
• We have initiated a multi-sector discussion on future use of the UHF band to support the WRC23 agenda item
• We promoted industry responses on the spectrum aspects of the European Commission’s questionnaire on changes to the legislative framework in order to promote the Digital Single Market

2. Engaging new Government ministers to ensure spectrum remains high on their agenda, and potential changes to the legislative framework are fit-for-purpose:

• We published UK Spectrum Usage and Demand – noted by Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy, when speaking at the launch of the report as the first time that all sectors of industry had published their forecasts and so enabled the key pinch points to be identified
• SPF Chairs Jim Norton followed by David Meyer acted as advocates for spectrum users with the Minister, welcomed his love of spectrum and challenged him to promote the ability of spectrum users to generate economic and social value
• Tony Lavender, Chair of Cluster 3, reflected on SPF member views as a member of the Panel of Experts who published their advice to Government on Incorporating Social Value into Spectrum Allocation Decisions

3. Progress long-term goals on spectrum

• We published Licensed Shared Access, a report on the potential for releasing value by licensing access to frequencies controlled by the public sector
• We published Future Use of Licence Exempt Radio Spectrum, a report with recommendations to promote international coordination on licence exempt bands and to promote improved receiver performance to support co-existence
• We held seminars on the future use of millimetre wave bands and on resilience to stimulate new approaches and opportunities for creating value