Looking at spectrum more strategically

The UK is somewhat ahead of Canada in its government thinking on digital strategy matters.

In 2009, the British government released a 245 page report entitled Digital Britain [pdf]. I wrote about the report a few times in early 2009, including a post that observed:

It seems that there are lots of studies, but it is hard to find a clear statement of vision for Canada’s digital future. As we invest in measures to jump start job creation, what concrete measures will affirm Canadian leadership in a global digital economy.

Five years later, just 2 weeks ago, Canada released Digital Canada 150, subtitled “A Plan for Canada’s Digital Future”.

I encourage you to examine the two documents side-by-side and compare.

In the meantime, Britain has continued to develop its strategic thinking on digital issues.

A colleague has pointed out a 50-page report [pdf] released a few weeks ago, outlining the UK’s Spectrum Strategy, “Delivering the best value from spectrum for the UK“. The Ministerial forward to this report starts with a statement that Spectrum is “hugely valuable,” worth over £50bn a year to the UK economy.

Our vision is for use of spectrum to double its annual contribution to the economy by 2025 through offering business the access it needs to innovate and grow, and everyone in the UK the services they need to live their lives to the full. That is why we need UK Spectrum Strategy now, to set the framework to help us make the right choices in the years to 2025 and beyond.

The report presents a level of transparency and depth of thought that is refreshing to read. How does Canada compare?

[update: Ofcom recently released a new paper, “Spectrum management strategy: Ofcom’s strategic direction and priorities for managing spectrum over the next 10 years“.

Canada has had a spectrum policy in place since 2007. The Spectrum Policy Framework for Canada was approved in 2007 by then Industry Minister Maxime Bernier and released at The Canadian Telecom Summit. The Enabling Guidelines section is an interesting read in view of how spectrum is being managed:

  1. Market forces should be relied upon to the maximum extent feasible.
  2. Notwithstanding (a), spectrum should be made available for a range of services that are in the public interest.
  3. Spectrum should be made available to support Canadian sovereignty, security and public safety needs.
  4. Regulatory measures, where required, should be minimally intrusive, efficient and effective.
  5. Regulation should be open, transparent and reasoned, and developed through public consultation, where appropriate.
  6. Spectrum management practices, including licensing methods, should minimize administrative burden and be responsive to changing technology and market place demands.
  7. Canada’s spectrum resource interests should be actively advanced and defended internationally.
  8. Spectrum policy and management should support the efficient functioning of markets by:
    • permitting the flexible use of spectrum to the extent possible;
    • harmonizing spectrum use with international allocations and standards, except where Canadian interests warrant a different determination;
    • making spectrum available for use in a timely fashion;
    • facilitating secondary markets for spectrum authorizations;
    • clearly defining the obligations and privileges conveyed in spectrum authorizations;
    • ensuring that appropriate interference protection measures are in place;
    • reallocating spectrum where appropriate, while taking into account the impact on existing services; and
    • applying enforcement that is timely, effective and commensurate with the risks posed by non-compliance.

It isn’t clear that we are closely following the Framework or its enabling guidelines.

Transparency (item “e”) is an important element of our stated spectrum policy, but we can do better. The government is overdue in publishing the public inputs in its recent Antenna Tower Siting Procedures consultation that closed March 31. In addition, we are still waiting for disclosure of round-by-round bidding for the 700 MHz auction, promised in the 700 MHz Licensing Framework. Two months after the auction concluded, the promised details have not been published.

How consistently has the government applied its spectrum policy?

There are recent news stories of companies looking for Industry Canada to follow US spectrum allocations at a faster pace. How are Canadians being served by our current policies?

The people who will lead the development of Canada’s digital future are gathering in Toronto from June 16-18 at The 2014 Canadian Telecom Summit. Now in its 13th year, this year’s event will explore a theme of “Future-proofing Our Place in a Digital World”, examining the technologies, services, systems, regulations and policies that are at the foundation of a global digital economy.

It is the only conference you need to attend, and it all gets started just 2 months from today. Have you registered yet?

1 thought on “Looking at spectrum more strategically”

  1. The government’s strategy seems to be:
    1) Make lots of money auctioning spectrum
    2) Place expiry on deploying strategy
    3) Make it increasingly difficult and arduous to deploy spectrum
    4) Void spectrum licenses because it wasn’t deployed quickly enough
    5) Profit

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