Small Cells: Realising the 5G Opportunity for Pioneering Spectrum Access - Beyond Exclusive Licensing

Brought to you by The Small Cell Group

In our last event the Small Cell SIG was looking forward to the arrival of the DCMS Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review as we took the temperature on the UK's readiness for 5G. Now, having digested the report, we explore some of the opportunities that have been identified.

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About the event

Opportunities are highlighted; opening the supply chain to new entrants through verticals such as industrial applications, neutral host business opportunities and private networks to address those hard to reach coverage and capacity locations. Global trends in flexible 5G licensing strategies – many countries are progressing down this path - and the potential for shared access models focussed on 3.6-3.8GHz (later upto 4.2GHz) are muted. But haven’t we heard these aspirations before…? What commercial and policy approaches can deliver change, and surely the small cell provides an ideal pioneering focal point to bring about change.

You can follow @CambWireless on Twitter and tweet about this event using #CWSmallCell.

Agenda

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The information supplied below may be subject to change before the event.

09:00

Registration, networking and refreshments

10:00

Introduction to CW/UK5G from Simon Mead, CEO, CW (Cambridge Wireless) (Cambridge Wireless)

10:05

Introduction to Small Cell SIG from Simon Saunders, Google

10:10

Gareth Holvey, Head of Mobile & 5G Policy, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

5G policy framework - a view from Government

An update from Government on the 5G policy framework and measures proposed in the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review to support 5G / mobile development and deployment in the UK

10:30

Q & A

10:35

Dave Wright, Director of Regulatory Affairs & Network Standards, Ruckus Networks (President of the CBRS Alliance)

CBRS: The Industry Response as the United States nears Commercial Launch

This session will provide an overview of the broad industry activity that has resulted from the spectrum access opportunities and resulting use cases enabled by the CBRS framework for 3550-3700 MHz in the United States. It will also offer an update on the timeline for commercial launch of services in the band and the recent milestones that have been achieved.

10:55

Q & A

11:00

Stephen Temple, 5G Further Faster

Delivering “further” rural and indoor coverage and “faster” 5G networks by embracing the government’s 5G market expansion spectrum sharing model

A mobile band as high as 3.6 GHz presents a natural challenge to 5G coverage extending much beyond dense urban areas. Then the fragmentation of spectrum under the current 4G regulatory model hits users outside of dense urban areas a second time by most single operator cells lacking the full 100 MHz channel width needed for peak performance. The government’s proposed market expansion spectrum sharing model is the first initiative of substance to create a 5G regulatory framework fit for purpose to meet these new challenges. 5G Further Faster (5G FF) is an innovation common interest group brought together by the IET to present the case for the market expansion model.

11:20

Q & A

11:25

Refreshments and networking

11:55

Alastair Davidson, Director, Wireless Infrastructure Group

Spectrum access to enable neutral host indoor coverage

Mobile coverage within larger buildings across the UK is one of the greatest coverage challenges, and affects productivity in offices, factories, hotels, hospitals, educational facilities and other public buildings. Affordable solutions to deliver mobile signal for all operators into larger buildings require licensed spectrum. The problem needs to be addressed now and WIG urges an innovative approach to spectrum allocation in the 3.6-3.8 GHz band with at least 20MHz set aside to develop new business models including the neutral host approach to drive indoor mobile coverage across the UK’s Enterprise market.

12:15

Q & A

12:20

Caroline Gabriel, Owner, Rethink Technology Research

Shared spectrum and vRAN – opportunities to shake up the mobile landscape

Shared spectrum lowers barrier to entry for non-MNOs, but it is not enough on its own WiFi has shown there are other key enablers for an open market. In 4G and 5G, some of these are now emerging in cellular small cells – vRAN, vEPC, open interfaces. The new architectures, combined with flexible spectrum policies, are well suited to neutral host models. These will be critical to achieve objectives for 5G in enterprise and IoT use cases. However there are barriers – how can policy help lower them?

12:40

Q & A

12:45

Lunch and networking

13:45

Nick Johnson, Founder, CTO and Head of PLM, ip.access

The UK FTIR. Was it more than ‘faster horses’?

The recently published UK Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review was welcome, but how far forward did it really look? Did it herald a brave new world of spectrum value realised by new models, new services, new providers, new technology? Or does it perpetuate a dinosaur age, just waiting for the next extinction event? Perhaps it does both, but what does it all mean for the vendor community?

14:05

Q & A

14:10

Joe Butler, Director for Telecommunications, Ofcom

Small Cells, 5G and Spectrum Access, A regulator’s view

Joe will give a short talk outlining some of the issues for the regulator in this space and the actions they are taking.

14:30

Q & A

14:35

Panel session with all speakers

14:55

Wrap-up by Small Cell SIG Champion

15:00

End of session followed by refreshments and networking

16:00

Event closes

Speakers

Joseph Butler - Director for Telecommunications, Ofcom

Joe is a director at Ofcom, (the independent organisation which regulates the UK’s broadcasting, telecommunications and wireless communications sectors) where he has played a number of roles mainly in the area of mobile and radio spectrum, including CTO for the spectrum group. Joe was one of the authors of the National Infrastructure Commission report on 5G and the future of mobile communications in the UK (an independent commission chaired by Lord Adonis), which made recommendations accepted by UK government on the future of mobile in the UK. He has also undertaken an interim role as Director for Telecoms at DCMS. Prior to working in Telecoms Joe worked in a number of tech startups, in computer vision, AI/machine learning and signal processing. He is a visiting Professor at the University of Bristol, has a PhD in Electrical Engineering from UCL and a first degree in Physics.

Alastair Davidson - Director, Wireless Infrastructure Group

Alastair is responsible for strategy, regulation and business development at WIG - an independent infrastructure company with over 2,000 assets including rural communications towers and fibre connected small cells in buildings and on city streets.  All of these infrastructure assets have been designed to support multiple networks and are open access to all operators. Backed by long-term low-cost capital from 3i Infrastructure plc, WIG has ambitions to invest a further £1bn in UK wireless infrastructure. Alastair has spent over 20 years in the communications industry working in the mobile infrastructure, public safety and fibre sectors. He is a member of the UK5G Advisory Board.

Caroline Gabriel - Research Director, Analysys Mason, Co-founder and Research Director, Rethink Technology Research

Caroline has been engaged in technology analysis, research and consulting for 30 years and since 2002, has been focused entirely on mobile and wireless. As co-founder and research director of Rethink Technology Research, Caroline has developed a significant research base and forecast methodology, based around deep contacts with mobile and converged operators round the world. This addresses critical issues and trends in mobile and wireless infrastructure, and particularly operator deployment intentions for 4G, 5G, small cells, Cloud-RAN and other technologies. She is also a senior contributor to Analysys Mason’s Next Generation Wireless research programme. She has led research and consulting projects with a wide range of clients, including mobile infrastructure vendors, large and start-up operators, regulators, trade bodies, government agencies and financial institutions. Her advice and forecasts have helped inform strategic decisions at a wide range of vendors, operators, start-ups and finance houses. Prior to setting up Rethink, Caroline held various executive positions at VNU Business Publishing BV, then Europe’s largest producer of technology related B2B reports and publications. She was the European content and research director, and was a member of the leadership team for VNU’s online business. She holds an MA from the University of Oxford.

Gareth Holvey - Head of Mobile & 5G Policy, Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS)

Experience policy professional. Joined the civil service in 2009 and worked in HM Treasury and the British Business Bank before joining DCMS in late 2016 to lead on 5G policy matters. Most recently developed the mobile chapters of the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review. Authored the Government's 5G strategy and Update to the 5G strategy.

Nick Johnson - Head, UKTIN

Nick was founder and CTO of ip.access, the leading small cell infrastructure business based in Cambridge UK from its inception in 2000 to acquisition by Mavenir in 2020. As well as leading the ip.access product line from GSM to 5G, he chaired the Radio and Physical Layer Working Group in the Small Cell Forum and introduced the world to FAPI - the industry standard software/platform interface for small cells.

Nick brings an unequalled commercial experience to the UKTIN and is looking forward to it helping those seeking to exploit and contribute to the unrivalled inventive spirit of the UK, as well as informing the UK Innovation ecosystem into the foreseeable future.

Stephen Temple - Visting Professor, Independent

Prof Stephen Temple CBE is Chair of Cluster 2 (long term spectrum strategy) of the Spectrum Policy Forum, a member of the IET Communications Policy Committee, visiting professor to the University of Surrey 5G>>6GIC and technical secretary to its Strategy Advisory Board

Dave Wright - Director of Regulatory Affairs & Network Standards, Ruckus Networks (President of the CBRS Alliance), Ruckus Networks

Dave leads Ruckus’ policy and standards initiatives, ensuring the intersection of Ruckus’ technology and product innovations with suitable regulatory environments and technical specifications. Dave is a champion of open spectrum, including both unlicensed and dynamic sharing frameworks, while acknowledging the vital role that all spectrum management regimes play in our increasingly wireless world. In addition to his role with Ruckus, Dave participates in a number of SDOs and ITOs and is currently the President of the CBRS Alliance. Dave began his odyssey in networking/telecom/mobile/wireless in the early ‘90s while serving in the US Marine Corps. He then transitioned to the commercial sector as a systems engineer. In the intervening years he has spent much of his time in Technical Marketing, Standards Development, and Policy Advocacy. Dave is a Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert (CCIE) Emeritus (#2062) as well as a Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA).

SIG Champions

Simon Fletcher - CEO, Real Wireless

Simon joined Real Wireless in January 2016 as Chief Technology Officer, taking overall technical and innovation strategy responsibility across the company. He is a member of the UK5G AB, co-chair of the International WG, and member of the Climate WG. His long-standing association with the UK innovation eco-system through roles such as Director of mVCE and the Innovate-UK ICT-KTN brings a wealth of practical knowledge on open innovation to accelerate product and services delivery. Simon spent his formative years in telecoms infrastructure systems and product development. In NEC Corporation he played a key role in the formation of Joint Ventures for development of 3G and 4G products and established a core team that developed the first-generation of technology for 4G systems culminating in a Steering Board position in the LTE SAE Trials Initiative (LSTI). In recent times he has directed projects on future cities, the application 5G and IoT in industry verticals with an event horizon towards 2030. His long participation in Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) and then directing Real Wireless engagement in H2020 and the 2016 NIC study on Future Comms infrastructure brings great foresight on a range of architectural evolutions underway in 5G architectures, in particular for Open RAN and Diversification. He is a CW Small Cell SIG Champion, and in February 2022 the Small Cell Forum (SCF) appointed Simon as their Chief Strategy Officer, drawing on 25 years direct industry experience and work as an advisor to governments, regulators and big business.

Caroline Gabriel - Research Director, Analysys Mason, Co-founder and Research Director, Rethink Technology Research

Caroline has been engaged in technology analysis, research and consulting for 30 years and since 2002, has been focused entirely on mobile and wireless. As co-founder and research director of Rethink Technology Research, Caroline has developed a significant research base and forecast methodology, based around deep contacts with mobile and converged operators round the world. This addresses critical issues and trends in mobile and wireless infrastructure, and particularly operator deployment intentions for 4G, 5G, small cells, Cloud-RAN and other technologies. She is also a senior contributor to Analysys Mason’s Next Generation Wireless research programme. She has led research and consulting projects with a wide range of clients, including mobile infrastructure vendors, large and start-up operators, regulators, trade bodies, government agencies and financial institutions. Her advice and forecasts have helped inform strategic decisions at a wide range of vendors, operators, start-ups and finance houses. Prior to setting up Rethink, Caroline held various executive positions at VNU Business Publishing BV, then Europe’s largest producer of technology related B2B reports and publications. She was the European content and research director, and was a member of the leadership team for VNU’s online business. She holds an MA from the University of Oxford.

Vicky Messer - VP Product Management, Picocom

Vicky Messer is VP of Product Management at Picocom with over 25 years of experience in the wireless industry. Vicky joined Picocom over 4 years ago and leads Product Management, Technical Marketing and partnership activities. Vicky also leads the Picocom Small Cell Forum (SCF) activities and joined the board member at Small Cell Forum (SCF). In recognition leading in multiple work items and a published papers, Vicky was awarded the SCF ‘Outstanding Individual Contribution to SCF award’ in 2020.

Vicky is a certified IET registration mentor, and currently mentors a local young female engineer. In May 2023 Vicky joined Industrial Advisory Board Bath University Electronics and Electrical Engineering and also won a SCF Industry Award 2023 for Women in Wireless.

Neil Piercy - Founder, Independent

Neil has been developing base stations for various communications systems for over 30 years, during which time he has performed roles throughout the whole development lifecycle, as well as management roles. Neil joined the small cell specialist company, ip.access, when it was formed as a spin-off from TTP Com back in 2000, and stayed with the company for 23 years, during which time his roles varied from System Architect through to Head of Engineering. As a Systems Engineer covering software, hardware, and RF, he includes specialist areas such as security and networking, as well as a focus on all aspects of protocol design and implementation. He has analysed system performance and performed simulations across GSM, UMTS, LTE and NR small cell RAN equipment and systems. He is now a freelance telecoms Systems Engineering consultant.

Simon Saunders - Visiting Professor, King's College London

Prof. Simon Saunders is an independent advisor and researcher with deep industry and academic background in communication systems technology and a burgeoning interest in the intersection between real and artificial neural systems, communication systems and music. He is a Visiting Professor at King’s College London, telecoms advisor to DCMS and Trustee of the charity Music for All.

Simon is a specialist in the technology of wireless communications, with a technical and commercial background derived from senior appointments in both industry (including Google, Motorola and Philips), academia (University of Surrey, Trinity College Dublin) and regulation (Ofcom).

He founded the Small Cell Forum and chaired this industry association from 2007-12, growing membership to 150 companies and working with 3GPP to create the first standards for small cells. He acted as Director of Emerging & Online Technology for Ofcom, leading Ofcom’s Emerging Technology programme and creating their Online Tech team. At Google (2015-20), he worked with operators globally to enhance wireless connectivity via a range of advanced technology initiatives, combining wireless networks, artificial intelligence and network virtualisation. As co-founder and Director of Technology for independent wireless strategy advisory firm Real Wireless (2006-15), he was responsible for overall technical capability and direction, providing independent wireless expertise and advice to operators, regulators, technology and law firms and wireless users. In 2019 Simon organised the world’s first 5G music lesson on behalf of charity Music for All, led by famous musician Jamie Cullum.

He is an author of over 150 articles, books and book chapters, including a popular textbook on antennas and propagation. He has invented over 15 patented wireless technologies and served on technical advisory boards of several companies and universities.

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Future Cities Catapult, London, One Sekforde Street, London, EC1R 0BE

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