Regulators Can Set Stage for Mobile Innovation, GSMA Argues

The crucial and strategic requirement for robust wireless, mobile or broadband economic, social and financial results at any given time will vary. Sometimes compelling applications are key. At other times a breakthrough device is the most-important enabler. At other times access to investment capital is the gating factor.

At times viable business models need to be developed, and consumer demand always is ultimately decisive.

But at other times, regulators must act first, before any of the other principal challenges can be tackled. That always is the case for services using spectrum, whether non-licensed, such as Wi-Fi or TV white spaces, or licensed services such as mobile services.

And that is a point the GSM Association now makes. To spur further advances in mobile services, “there is a need for creating a transparent and stable regulatory regime that engages all stakeholders in policy making,” the GSMA now argues.

In other words, stakeholders need stability so they can make long-term investments.

That also means more clarity about license renewals. Incumbents obviously want a presumption of renewal, rather than having to face new rounds of auctions.

“There is a need to create a robust spectrum management approach,” GSMA argues. That would include spectrum availability and pricing, as well as the ability to trade or share spectrum, among other foundational elements.

GSMA also wants timely release of spectrum and release in larger blocks. As you might expect, GSMA prefers the larger blocks because that allows providers to amass contiguous blocks of spectrum, and also reduces operator spectrum licensing cost.

As you would expect, the GSMA also argues the importance of “regulatory costs of doing business.”  GSMA argues taxes should be aligned to global benchmarks and should not have undue effect on demand (“sector specific taxes,” for example).

GSMA also argues that regulators “need to revisit commitments to the Universal Service

Obligation Fund (USOF),” in part because they may not be needed as much as in the past, and also because of “unprecedented” service provider margin pressure.

GSMA also argues that in the Asia-Pacific region, for example, regulators across the region should harmonize frequency plans for new spectrum, such as that to be created by the switch to digital television, which will free up spectrum across the region.

GSMA supports a  2x45 MHz band plan in the 698-806 MHz range, as a majority of countries already have committed to doing so.