Regulating Radio Spectrum In A Digitally Converging Wireless World

This thesis analyses the key policy and regulatory challenges associated with radio spectrum management in a converging wireless world. A broad study has been conducted about the patterns of wireless communication affecting the regulatory landscape worldwide. The regulatory models of USA, UK and Pakistan have been studied to get a deeper insight into the regulatory framework evolution over the course of wireless communication spanning almost a century. Traditional command and control approach based upon interference issue has lost its footings owing to state of the art development in modem wireless technologies that employ techniques and circuitry to share the medium on opportunistic basis. Ever growing wireless communication applications require more frequencies to be freed and made available for innovative services.Study carried out to assess the reforms formulated to cope for the increased spectrum demands reveal that regulators are still reluctant to give up the stricter control over the management of scarce radio resource. A flexible, futuristic, market-driven approach with active role for all stakeholders and policing role for the regulator is proposed as the way forward for optimal utilization of radio spectrum. The future spectrum management is anticipated to be a mix of commons and property rights models and a pool of spectrum, available to lease, for technology neutral, opportunistic utilization could be first step forward.This paper also looks at the current status of the global migration from analogue to digital terrestrial television. The regulatory challenges and opportunities associated with the digital switchover have been analyzed. The digital migration presents a huge opportunity for the telecommunications world to reallocate and reassign the valuable UHF spectrum. Worldwide growth of mobile broadband has been analyzed and proposed to be the best candidate for assigning the precious digital dividend band.As a case study, digital dividend realization in Pakistan is examined. Cost-benefit analysis has been carried out to determine the best option for the digital migration in the country. A CabSat option (cable and satellite based) has been advocated bearing the minimal cost and comparably huge economic benefits than tri-Net (terrestrial, cable and satellite based) option.