This paper discusses the need for change in the regulatory environment to cater for the next generation of mobile technology (5 G). It gives particular attention to provisioning of spectrum access for business specific services and applications and to possibilities to improve shared use of spectrum. It is proposed to broaden the market for mobile communication from a mobile operator specific market to a broadened market which is comprised of mobile operators, niche operators and service providers targeting specific business segments and private networks.

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Cognitive radio holds an interesting promise for improved utilization of the radio spectrum. However, there is a considerable degree of uncertainty regarding the potential application of cognitive radio. One of the reasons for this uncertainty is the need for changes in the regulatory regime to allow for more dynamic forms of spectrum access. In addressing the necessary changes in regulations, the regulator should be well aware of the perspective of the entrepreneur. Eventually it is the entrepreneur who invests in CR technology and thereby realizes the goal of improved utilization of the radio spectrum. This chapter addresses the relationship between the regulations and the CR technology. Both the regulations and the CR technology will pose limitations on the possible business cases. It further proposes a way forward to come to a successful exploitation of CR technology in which the objectives of both the entrepreneur and the regulator can be realized.

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This PhD thesis deals with the role of government in radio spectrum management. While current literature suggests that avoiding harmful interference and realizing economic efcient use of the radio spectrum are the prime drivers, the study revealed that realizing and safeguarding public interests have played a crucial role, including the realization of specifc industrial policy objectives. A revision of the radio spectrum governance process is proposed, based on the insights obtained and building on the institutional analysis and design framework of Ostrom et al., combined with competitive market theory. Essentially proposing the next (and likely fnal) step in the liberalization process. The proposed revision redefnes radio spectrum management from a top-down government controlled process to a botom-up governance process in a multi-actor seting. The role of government shifs from a controller of the process to a role of market design, monitoring and facilitation.@en

Spectrum management is essentially an issue of coordination for which different solutions are possible. Two alternative approaches have been proposed to replace or to be applied next to governmental control: (1) property rights; and (2) a commons, with restrictions in the type of use or users. Although elements of both proposals have been implemented, the resulting mixed regime is still a top down process with many rigidities and a government in control. Proper implementation of these alternative approaches requires a shift in the role of the government from a controller of the spectrum management process to a facilitator of decentralized coordination in the market in a multi-actor spectrum governance process. The role of the government shifts to market design, monitoring and facilitation. This shift in the role of the government is relatively absent in the debate on spectrum management.This paper makes a proposal for this shifting role of the government, provides the rationale for this shift and includes guidance on its implementation. A case study on recent experience in the Netherlands with this new role of the government is summarized in this paper. The case study describes how this role of the government could be implemented for the introduction of new (cognitive radio) technology.

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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility to replace radio equipment compliance requirements based on equipment parameters with a set of simple metrics that accurately reflects spectrum utilization and spectrum-sharing efficiency. Design/methodology/approach – The approach taken is to go back to the basic factors that determine radio system behavior in a shared spectrum environment: radio frequency power, duty cycle and frequency occupation. By normalizing these parameters, device specificity is avoided and a statistical perspective on spectrum utilization and sharing becomes possible. Findings – The analysis shows that two technology-neutral metrics would be adequate to govern spectrum utilization and sharing: a spectrum utilization metric and a spectrum-sharing efficiency metric. These metrics form the core of regulatory requirements for shared frequency bands. Each shared frequency band could be assigned criteria based on these metrics that take into account the types of applications for which that band will be used. Research limitations/implications – This work is a first step that identifies the main factors that affect shared spectrum usage from a statistical point of view. More work is needed on the relationship between real-world interference and its abstraction in the spectrum-sharing rules. Practical implications – The metrics proposed could be considered as the basis for a new approach to the regulation of the license-exempt spectrum, and, by extension, as the basis for generic compliance criteria. Their use would facilitate the compliance assessment of software-defined radio technology. Social implications – This work has no direct social implications. Originality/value – This paper combines new work on spectrum utilization criteria with extensions of previous work on spectrum-sharing efficiency into a comprehensive proposal for a new approach to the regulation of the license-exempt spectrum.@en