Dynamic spectrum sharing for future wireless networks: Regulators perspective

Abstract

Radio Frequency spectrum is the superhighway enabling a myriad of wireless ICT services and applications. Spectrum scarcity and expensive licensing cost has resulted in research and innovations by the CSIR, wireless network providers and telecom regulators, which helped to develop techniques to dynamically share & manage spectrum, thereby enabling efficient spectrum utilization. Spectrum management based on spectrum sharing techniques such as LSA & SAS are being considered by spectrum regulators, aiming at efficient use of spectrum as a scarce natural resource, while ensuring non-interference & fairness between different radio spectrum users and wireless services. This paper recommends the improvement of spectrum management by regulatory authorities using recent research and technologies developed for spectrum sharing and application of new spectrum licensing frameworks. The paper presents spectrum licensing & management approaches and focuses on the enabling role smart spectrum sharing can play in spectrum efficient and affordable broadband wireless networks. A comparative analysis of advantages and disadvantages of a regulator licensing spectrum, as compared to allowing mobile operators to sub-license allocated spectrum is also discussed in the paper.