Spectrum for 4G

Planning & Licensing in Viet Nam

Le Van TUAN
Deputy Director General
ARFM
Outline

1. Spectrum License in Present

2. Spectrum Plan for 4G
3. Licensing for 4G
Overview on Viet Nam’s Mobile Market

Mobile market share

35
30
3G subs (mil)

25
20
15
3G market share
10
5
0
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Source: White Book 2014
2G Band Licenses
850/900 MHz bands

06/2015
05/2015
09/2016

CDMA → WCDMA 01/2018 GSM

06/2023
Different license expiry dates
2G Band Licenses
1800 MHz bands

06/2015 05/2015

01/2018
GSM
09/2023
Different license expiry dates
3G Band Licenses
2100 MHz bands

WCDMA

- To deployed 3G system through beauty contest

- Licenses expire in 2024

- ITU-R SG 5D is considering to include MSS band to IMT terrestrial band

Spectrum plans for 4G

General Principles
• Harmonization
• Refarming existing systems is feasible
• Enough bandwidth for operators

Realizations
• The 2.3 & 2.6 GHz bands are ready to use
• Allow use of 2G bands for IMT
• Digital dividend band (700MHz) to be for IMT (Refarming start after WRC-2007
and band to be available in most parts of the country by 2018)
Future 4G’s bands plan
2.3 / 2.6 GHz bands

The 2.3 & 2.6 GHz bands are ready to be used (refarming started from 2000)
The 2.6 GHz band will be auctioned first
The 2.3 GHz band will be auctioned later
Detail auction rules, requirements and time are under consideration
Refarming 2G bands for MBB
• New Regulation (Circular 04/2015/TT-BTTTT) in Mar 10th :
• Allow 2G licensees to deploy IMT/IMT-Advanced in 850/900/1800 MHz

• 850/900MHz refarming tech: HSPA/WCDMA

• 1800MHz refarming tech: LTE/LTE-Advanced

Digital Dividend
700 MHz band

Dig ita l Divid e n

Promote TV digitalization to release of 700 MHz band for IMT

- Strong support from the Government (refarming started after WRC-07)

- Tight collaboration with all provinces & broadcasters
- Nationwide propagation program to advocate for DTT’s plan and benefit
Review 700/800MHz Band Plan
Considering APT700 / CEPT800 MHz / 850MHz band plan for IMT
4G Spectrum Licensing Plan
• General Principle:
• Provide spectrum at the right time to address market needs
• Handset economies of scale
• Coming Licensing:
• Spectrum auction of 2.6 GHz band
• 1 800 MHz band:
• Allow trial in 2015
• Allow commercially deployment in 2016
Spectrum Auction
• 2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz bands ready
• 2.6 GHz band is auctioned first
• APT 700 MHz could be after 2017, subject refarming and market
demand
• Potential bidders must be from FBO
• Bidders must satisfy “minimum requirement”
Summary
• Migration from 2G to MBB starts
• Operators allowed to deploy MBB in their 2G spectrum, including LTE
• Coverage bands (<1GHz) are put forward to bring MBB to rural areas
• LTE commercial deployment envisaged in 2016
• 290 MHz available to use for 4G
• APT 700 MHz band will be available in coming years
• Review 700 MHz, 800/850 MHz, 900 MHz bands plan to maximize the
benefit of MBB
• Timing a new band license depends on handset availability &
affordability, market demand
Thank you for your attention !

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