09:00
Registration, networking and refreshments
10:00
Introduction to CW/UK5G from Simon Mead, CEO, CW (Cambridge Wireless) (Cambridge Wireless)
10:05
Introduction to Small Cell SIG from Simon Saunders, Google
10:10
Gareth Holvey, Head of Mobile & 5G Policy, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
5G policy framework - a view from Government
An update from Government on the 5G policy framework and measures proposed in the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review to support 5G / mobile development and deployment in the UK
10:30
Q & A
10:35
Dave Wright, Director of Regulatory Affairs & Network Standards, Ruckus Networks (President of the CBRS Alliance)
CBRS: The Industry Response as the United States nears Commercial Launch
This session will provide an overview of the broad industry activity that has resulted from the spectrum access opportunities and resulting use cases enabled by the CBRS framework for 3550-3700 MHz in the United States. It will also offer an update on the timeline for commercial launch of services in the band and the recent milestones that have been achieved.
10:55
Q & A
11:00
Stephen Temple, 5G Further Faster
Delivering “further” rural and indoor coverage and “faster” 5G networks by embracing the government’s 5G market expansion spectrum sharing model
A mobile band as high as 3.6 GHz presents a natural challenge to 5G coverage extending much beyond dense urban areas. Then the fragmentation of spectrum under the current 4G regulatory model hits users outside of dense urban areas a second time by most single operator cells lacking the full 100 MHz channel width needed for peak performance. The government’s proposed market expansion spectrum sharing model is the first initiative of substance to create a 5G regulatory framework fit for purpose to meet these new challenges. 5G Further Faster (5G FF) is an innovation common interest group brought together by the IET to present the case for the market expansion model.
11:20
Q & A
11:25
Refreshments and networking
11:55
Alastair Davidson, Director, Wireless Infrastructure Group
Spectrum access to enable neutral host indoor coverage
Mobile coverage within larger buildings across the UK is one of the greatest coverage challenges, and affects productivity in offices, factories, hotels, hospitals, educational facilities and other public buildings. Affordable solutions to deliver mobile signal for all operators into larger buildings require licensed spectrum. The problem needs to be addressed now and WIG urges an innovative approach to spectrum allocation in the 3.6-3.8 GHz band with at least 20MHz set aside to develop new business models including the neutral host approach to drive indoor mobile coverage across the UK’s Enterprise market.
12:15
Q & A
12:20
Caroline Gabriel, Owner, Rethink Technology Research
Shared spectrum and vRAN – opportunities to shake up the mobile landscape
Shared spectrum lowers barrier to entry for non-MNOs, but it is not enough on its own WiFi has shown there are other key enablers for an open market. In 4G and 5G, some of these are now emerging in cellular small cells – vRAN, vEPC, open interfaces. The new architectures, combined with flexible spectrum policies, are well suited to neutral host models. These will be critical to achieve objectives for 5G in enterprise and IoT use cases. However there are barriers – how can policy help lower them?
12:40
Q & A
12:45
Lunch and networking
13:45
Nick Johnson, Founder, CTO and Head of PLM, ip.access
The UK FTIR. Was it more than ‘faster horses’?
The recently published UK Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review was welcome, but how far forward did it really look? Did it herald a brave new world of spectrum value realised by new models, new services, new providers, new technology? Or does it perpetuate a dinosaur age, just waiting for the next extinction event? Perhaps it does both, but what does it all mean for the vendor community?
14:05
Q & A
14:10
Joe Butler, Director for Telecommunications, Ofcom
Small Cells, 5G and Spectrum Access, A regulator’s view
Joe will give a short talk outlining some of the issues for the regulator in this space and the actions they are taking.
14:30
Q & A
14:35
Panel session with all speakers
14:55
Wrap-up by Small Cell SIG Champion
15:00
End of session followed by refreshments and networking
16:00
Event closes