Fixed Wireless Access/ Transport: The Altnet view

Transcription

1 Fixed Wireless Access/ Transport: The Altnet view UK Spectrum Policy Forum Cluster 1 Meeting: TechUK London 30 th June 2015 David Cullen, Chair, INCA Group Director Strategy and Compliance, ITS Technologies Group Director Prism Business Consulting

2 The Altnet Market Ofcom Report on NGA Provision by non-major providers ( the Altnets ), published December 2014, identified: 65 companies registered in UK to provide alternative networks for broadband, up from 34 in 2010 Over 46 altnets actively providing and running NGA networks across most of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales Over 1% of all UK premises (c.245k) are now covered by an altnet provider network delivering true NGA ( above 30Mb/s) c. 168k premises have access to altnet superfast or ultrafast broadband service, (c.78% reach) compared with 159k in 2010 (which included the reach statistics for the now disbanded Digital Region Scheme) 24,200 businesses are now served by NGA from altnets, compared with 797 in 2010 Adoption of these networks ranges from 30% to 70%

3 Altnet Delivery Methods Of the 46 active altnets: 85% stated use of fixed technologies 80% stated use of wireless technologies in deploying NGA Pure fibre solutions accounted for 78% of fixed technology deployed: Fibre Technology Distribution 22% 35% 6% 37% FTTH FTTP FTTB FTTC

4 Altnet Delivery Methods A full range of wireless solutions are deployed in altnet solutions. The distribution of technologies in active networks was reported as shown: Wireless Technology Distribution 1% 16% 24% 2% 26% 30% Fixed LTE/4G Fixed WiMax Other Fixed Multipoint LTE/4G Multipoint x Multipoint Mesh Other Multipoint Low LTE/4G figures for fixed and multipoint (1%+1%) was due to early adopter use and high initial costs of equipment. Growth expected to be significant in 2015/16. Other technologies (30% fixed, 24% multipoint) related to altnets not wishing to reveal their technology deployed- or using other unlicensed Wifi solutions. 1%

5 How are Altnets using Wireless? Typical example of altnet mixed application use. A central fixed location providing high capacity, Point to Point (PtP) and Point to Multipoint (PtMP) distribution links to other base stations Whilst still complying with EU guidelines for NGA, PtMP provides a cheaper, lower capacity solution compared with PtP. Both PtP and PtMP links use licenced spectrum (e.g. 5Ghz). Smaller base stations radiating unlicenced spectrum at 2.4Ghz. This provides wi-fi hotspot or local distribution to mobile and fixed users.

6 Transit and Backhaul Altnets generally deploying mixed fixed and wireless technology solutions. General preference for fixed fibre backhaul and wireless access. Point to Point or Point to Multipoint fibre to base stations, often carrier leased lines, may be GPON. Rarely FTTC/ VDSL. Rationale: comparative operating cost of long haul point to point radio vs leased line / fixed fibre higher capacity of fibre backhaul greater resilience/ reliability

7 Wireless Wins for Altnets Economic Balance; altnets have proved and demonstrated sustainable business models using mixed FTTP and FWA solutions Final 10%; they have further provced that these are sustainable even in deep rural areas (with suffiicient- attainable- adoption) Standards Approval; EU DGCONNECT and DGCOMP have approved FWA as a NGA technology with a defined evolutionary path to fibre when economically viable Open Access; whilst most FWA networks are currently closed i.e. one ISP often the network provider- open access wholesale provision is now technically achievable

8 Current Issues Planning Regulations; consolidation and some relaxation of current planning regs is required, particularly regarding small cell sites. Backhaul and Access to Existing Infrastructure; prohibitive leased line costs choke effective FWA access networks, especially in deep rural areas. Access to dark fibre proposals in Ofcom Business Connectivity Review need to be implemented. Better rates for community schemes from mast operators ( e.g. Arqiva) for both affordable mast and backhaul access Overbuild; FWA solutions not previously recognised as NGA have enabled BT to overbuild FTTC with public subsidy; this needs to be addressed urgently. The descoping process in BDUK contracts needs to be simplified and improved Lack of Licenced Spectrum and Unlicenced Clash; some concerns about spectrum allocation and management particularly in the 5.8GHz band. How to better police use of unlicensed frequencies at access level. Better collaboration between FWA operators; most NGA wireless operators are small businesses with scarce resources. Lessons learned forums and one voice requiredperhaps through a special interest group through INCA.

9 Questions David Cullen INCA +44 (0)