World Dialogue on Regulation

Traditionally regulated as a scarce resource, current discussion on spectrum management focuses on the extent to which spectrum is inefficiently used and posits new models of spectrum management to evolve the traditional regime to accommodate new applications and business models and better effect coverage of ICT infrastructure.

However, while of international importance, especially in context of global markets for new and emerging IP-based services requiring wide access to broadband infrastructure, spectrum reform is also very much contingent on regional demographics and national level policies. In Latin America there is a high urban population density which can be well-serviced by DSL and cable modem; but the region’s rural and dispersed small communities also need to be connected. For the latter, traditional fixed line technologies are less economic and interesting than WiFi and WiMax solutions which afford more efficient and cheaper solutions. Sufficient regulatory flexibility and national level planning and strategies to allocate spectrum for this kind of development (e.g. contingent on economic sustainability) is a key issue (see Emigdio Matos, INDOTEL; and Osiris Sosa, INDOTEL).

More generally, it is argued that spectrum management requires fundamental reconceptualisation from being viewed as a state responsibility over a scare resource to a new model (see Mauro D. Rios, ICA; and Leonardo Waingarten, Impsat Corp. for a discussion of the underlying principles for traditional spectrum management). The intertwined reasons for this are increasing demand for spectrum; and the fact that current spectrum management and allocation allows for under use of potential capacity (see Manuel Cipriano, Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicacaiones de Perú; and Lenin Manuel López, INDOTEL).

There are two main approaches to this reconceptualisation: a spectrum commons approach (in which spectrum use is openly available based on compliance with established technical standards) (see de la Rodrigo Parra Carrillo and Sóstenes Díaz González, COFETEL); and a market-driven model based on property rights which would allow for spectrum trading and resale (see Omar de León, consultant; Antoni Elias Fusté, Comision del Mercado de la Telecomunicaciones; and Juan Manuel Díaz, DJ&F Abogados).

Both models, of course, have their advantages and limitations. The concluding article to the issue unpacks the different underlying elements that such a model will need to address, in context of the particular requirements of digital terrestrial TV (see Cail Bonilha, consultant and Marcio Wohlers, CEPAL). Technical standards and requirements, public interest, and markets (and business models) for new technologies and services all must be considered in a balanced fashion across possible regulatory scenarios. 

Regulatel’s trimestral online magazine publishes comments, short concept pieces and highlights new resources for issues confronting regulation generally and Latin America in particular. The articles in this special issue include:

"El Control del Espectro Radioeléctrico Frente a las Actuales Concentraciones" (Control of radio spectrum in context of current concentration) – Manuel Cipriano, Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicacaiones de Perú

"Reflexión sobre el Impacto de las Nuevas Tecnologías en el Uso y Asignación del Espectro Radioeléctrico" (Reflections on the impact of new technologies on radio spectrum use and assignment) – Rodrigo Parra Carrillo and Sóstenes Díaz González, COFETEL

"Nuevas Tendencias en la Gestión del Espectro" (New tendencies in spectrum management) – Omar de León, consultant

"El Espectro como Mecanismo de Competencia entre Operadores - El punto de Vista Jurídico" (Spectrum as a means of competition between operators - the legal point of view) – Juan Manuel Díaz, DJ&F Abogados

"Mercado Secundario de Espectro Radioeléctrico" (Secondary markets for radio spectrum) – Antoni Elias Fusté, Comision del Mercado de la Telecomunicaciones

"El Reto de Gestionar la Regulación de la Escasez del Espectro y los Avances Tecnolóicos" (The challenge of managing spectrum scarcity and technological developments) – Lenin Manuel López, INDOTEL

"Un Razonable Uso del Espectro Radioeléctrico" (A reasonable use of the radio spectrum) – Emigdio Matos, INDOTEL

"El Principio de Escasez y las Nuevas Tecnologías" (The scarcity principle and new technologies) – Mauro D. Rios, Instituto para la Conectividad en las Américas

"La Gestión del Espectro Radioeléctrico ante el Nuevo Milenio" (Radio spectrum management before the New Millenium) – Osiris Sosa, INDOTEL

"La Vigencia de los Argumentos Técnicos, Jurídicos y Económicos que Sustentaron la Administración Tradicional de Espectro Radioeléctrico" (The usefulness of technical, legal and economic arguments underpinning traditional spectrum administration) – Leonardo Waingarten, Impsat Corp.

"TV Digital Terrestre y Convergencia Tecnológica en América Latina: Escenarios e Impacto en el Espectro" (Terrestrial digital TV and technological convergence in Latin America: scenarios and impact on radio spectrum) – Cail Bonilha, consusltant and Marcio Wohlers, CEPAL

Revista  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it No. 5, Enero-Marzo 2006
http://www.regulatel.org/publica/revista05.htm