Evaluation of the potential benefits of using Licensed Shared Access in the Americas

Internet has become an ubiquitous service and human need. networks have been struggling with the Mobile Data Tsunami, an increase in mobile broadband consumption due to faster networks, powerful devices and more traffic-demandingapplications, as well as a higher penetration volume. According to Cisco mobile data traffic is expected to grow to 15.9 exabytes per month by 2018, that is almost eleven times the mobile data traffic of 2013.Spectrum is a key factor for network deployments, since it determines the capacity of the network. Nonetheless, spectrum is a limited natural resource, i.e. a finite, non-exhaustible common resource. In order to fulfill the high performance targets of future mobile broadband (MBB) systems, a more efficient use and more effective management of spectrum resources have to be developed.Licensed Shared Access is a new complementary spectrum access scheme that allows for the sharing of partially used licensed spectrum from an incumbent (e.g. a government organization), by a limited number of “LSA licensees” (e.g. Network Operators). The LSA agreement follows pre-defined dynamic or static sharing conditions, that determine where, when and how to use the incumbent’s spectrum.The implementation of Licensed Shared Access needs the support of a very good regulatory framework and follow the harmonized spectrum pathway. Spectral harmonization, or the uniform allocation of frequency bands across entire region lowers the technology costs, making it easier for any country to consider its implementation. Once adpoted throughout the regions, economies of scale are achieved.Some first steps towards a new framework based on LSA have been given in Europe and North America, however to consider LSA as a real option, a complete analysis considering more markets is needed. It is crucial to consider how other regions around the world can be affected by this new approach in order to see if LSA is a viable option or not.The approach taken in this research covers the interrelations between technical, market and regulatory conditions in the Americas in order to present the possible value of LSA. The first part of the study deals with the analysis of the technical aspects of LSA. The following parts deal with under what conditions the evaluation is made. First, the study deals with the market conditions found in the Americas as a whole, to then deal with a more specific study of the market and regulatory conditions of selected countries in the region.The research showed how there are several ways LSA can bring positive value to established and emerging actors in the Americas, specially in high traffic areas, and/or indoor environments. However, and despite the advantages of LSA, the timing is not there yet. The region still has plenty of spectrum to be allocated as exclusive spectrum, which is preferred by operators. The low mobile broadband penetration in most of the region is also a factor for the low value of LSA in the time of this study.