Mobile carriers to request to “allocate 5G frequency at once"
Na Won Jae | nwj@ | 2017-05-29 14:22:56
The mobile telecommunication industry has entered into a preliminary suspension to secure the frequency for the fifth generation (G) communication service which is expected to be commercialized in 2019.
Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning is planned to allocate 1GHz band of 28GHz band (27.5GHz ~ 28.5GHz) first in 2018 ~ 2019 with 5G mobile communication frequency. Adjacent frequency band (26.5GHz ~ 27.5GHz, 28.5GHz ~ 29.5GHz) will be 2021 which plan was announced earlier this year in January.
However, the mobile telecommunication industry claims that 5G frequency should be allocated at a time in a band of 26.5GHz ~ 29.5GHz, which is presented to the international private standardization organization 3GPP with 5G standard frequency.
It claims that the first frequency band of 28 ㎓ is allocated to auction, and the second frequency band of 28 ㎓ is auctioned. The frequencies cannot be used together, resulting in a higher frequency allocation cost and lower 5G service quality.
The higher the communication frequency of the broader frequency is secured by one operator. Although, the 28GHz band and the 6GHz band are being discussed now in the 5G international standard frequency band, it is expected that the 28GHz band will be selected as the standard frequency.
However, the industry claims that the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning has no choice but to allocate frequencies as scheduled.
According to related industries sources on May 25, new services such as virtual and augmented reality (VR • AR), artificial intelligence (AI), big data and smart factory in social, economic and cultural areas will apply 5G network in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution.
The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning has unveiled the K-ICT Spectrum Plan which is a mid-to-long-term spectrum plan in January, will secure 4.3GHz of total 5G frequencies by 2026. Specifically, the frequency band adjacent to the band 1GHz, 3.5GHz (3.4GHz ~ 3.7GHz) 26.5 GHz to 27.5 GHz, 28.5 GHz to 29.5 GHz) in the band 28GHz (27.5GHz ~ 28.5GHz), which is an ancient band until 2018, will secure 2㎓ width supply.
However, some industry insiders claim that unnecessary competition in the frequency auction may occur, which may increase the frequency acquisition cost in the case of the 28GHz band and the adjacent band are allocated to each other. For instance, if an A company is assigned a frequency of 27.5 ~ 27.6 GHz in the first frequency auction, the auction price will be greatly increased as it is advantageous to be allocated a frequency of 27.4 ~ 27.5 GHz in the second auction.
Especially, mobile carriers claim that the allocation of 26.5 ~ 29.5㎓GHz bands is more advantageous for profit generation and ecosystem expansion, as they can supply communication equipment and solutions to other countries using the frequency of this band.
Telecommunication industry expert explained, "A wide range of frequencies, ranging from the 28GHz band to the adjacent band, will allow us to maintain a stable network service and open a way for telecommunication equipment to be exported to countries using similar bands. It is costly and time consuming to technically tie the previously received frequency and the newly received frequency in the case of allocating the adjacent band later."
Another expert said, "We could not avoid price competition by auctioning three auctions in 2011, 2013, and 2016 in the case of LTE (Long Term Evolution) in the past. I think we can reduce cost burden if we can allocate frequency at once."
The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning understands this kind of argument. However, the ministry unveiled that it plans to allocate the 28GHz frequency band first as scheduled and then allocate the adjacent band frequency as there are uncertainties as to whether the 28GHz adjacent band will be selected as the international standard frequency at present.
The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning representative said, "The 28GHz band is being used as a standard by the United States. So, we decided to allocate it first so that we can secure a minimum market. Korean mobile carriers also have no problems using it as they have already invested in this band.”
He continued, "In the case of Europe, the 28GHz adjacent band is not used as it contains many frequencies for communication satellites. In the case of China, it firstly sees the 6GHz band as a 5G frequency band. It would be disadvantageous to the mobile communication company if it does not become the international standard frequency. Therefore, it will be allocated according to the situation. "
By Na Won Jae nwj@
[ copyright ⓒ The Digitaltimes ]
Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning is planned to allocate 1GHz band of 28GHz band (27.5GHz ~ 28.5GHz) first in 2018 ~ 2019 with 5G mobile communication frequency. Adjacent frequency band (26.5GHz ~ 27.5GHz, 28.5GHz ~ 29.5GHz) will be 2021 which plan was announced earlier this year in January.
However, the mobile telecommunication industry claims that 5G frequency should be allocated at a time in a band of 26.5GHz ~ 29.5GHz, which is presented to the international private standardization organization 3GPP with 5G standard frequency.
It claims that the first frequency band of 28 ㎓ is allocated to auction, and the second frequency band of 28 ㎓ is auctioned. The frequencies cannot be used together, resulting in a higher frequency allocation cost and lower 5G service quality.
The higher the communication frequency of the broader frequency is secured by one operator. Although, the 28GHz band and the 6GHz band are being discussed now in the 5G international standard frequency band, it is expected that the 28GHz band will be selected as the standard frequency.
However, the industry claims that the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning has no choice but to allocate frequencies as scheduled.
According to related industries sources on May 25, new services such as virtual and augmented reality (VR • AR), artificial intelligence (AI), big data and smart factory in social, economic and cultural areas will apply 5G network in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution.
The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning has unveiled the K-ICT Spectrum Plan which is a mid-to-long-term spectrum plan in January, will secure 4.3GHz of total 5G frequencies by 2026. Specifically, the frequency band adjacent to the band 1GHz, 3.5GHz (3.4GHz ~ 3.7GHz) 26.5 GHz to 27.5 GHz, 28.5 GHz to 29.5 GHz) in the band 28GHz (27.5GHz ~ 28.5GHz), which is an ancient band until 2018, will secure 2㎓ width supply.
However, some industry insiders claim that unnecessary competition in the frequency auction may occur, which may increase the frequency acquisition cost in the case of the 28GHz band and the adjacent band are allocated to each other. For instance, if an A company is assigned a frequency of 27.5 ~ 27.6 GHz in the first frequency auction, the auction price will be greatly increased as it is advantageous to be allocated a frequency of 27.4 ~ 27.5 GHz in the second auction.
Especially, mobile carriers claim that the allocation of 26.5 ~ 29.5㎓GHz bands is more advantageous for profit generation and ecosystem expansion, as they can supply communication equipment and solutions to other countries using the frequency of this band.
Telecommunication industry expert explained, "A wide range of frequencies, ranging from the 28GHz band to the adjacent band, will allow us to maintain a stable network service and open a way for telecommunication equipment to be exported to countries using similar bands. It is costly and time consuming to technically tie the previously received frequency and the newly received frequency in the case of allocating the adjacent band later."
Another expert said, "We could not avoid price competition by auctioning three auctions in 2011, 2013, and 2016 in the case of LTE (Long Term Evolution) in the past. I think we can reduce cost burden if we can allocate frequency at once."
The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning understands this kind of argument. However, the ministry unveiled that it plans to allocate the 28GHz frequency band first as scheduled and then allocate the adjacent band frequency as there are uncertainties as to whether the 28GHz adjacent band will be selected as the international standard frequency at present.
The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning representative said, "The 28GHz band is being used as a standard by the United States. So, we decided to allocate it first so that we can secure a minimum market. Korean mobile carriers also have no problems using it as they have already invested in this band.”
He continued, "In the case of Europe, the 28GHz adjacent band is not used as it contains many frequencies for communication satellites. In the case of China, it firstly sees the 6GHz band as a 5G frequency band. It would be disadvantageous to the mobile communication company if it does not become the international standard frequency. Therefore, it will be allocated according to the situation. "
By Na Won Jae nwj@