Spectrum for

4G
Planning & Licensing in Viet Nam

Le Van TUAN
Deputy Director
General
ARFM

Outline
1. Spectrum License in Present
2. Spectrum Plan for 4G
3. Licensing for 4G

Overview on Viet Nams Mobile

Market

3G subs (mil)

Mobile market share

3G market share

Source: White Book 2014

2G Band Licenses
850/900 MHz bands

05/2015

09/2016
CDMA WCDMA

01/2018

06/2015

GSM

06/2023
Different license expiry dates

2G Band Licenses
1800 MHz bands

06/2015 05/2015
01/2018
GSM
09/2023

Different license expiry dates

3G Band Licenses
2100 MHz bands

WCDMA
- To deployed 3G system through beauty contest
- Licenses expire in 2024
- ITU-R SG 5D is considering to include MSS band to IMT terrestrial
band

Spectrum plans for 4G

General Principles

Harmonization
Refarming existing systems is feasible
Enough bandwidth for operators
Realizations

The 2.3 & 2.6 GHz bands are ready to use

Allow use of 2G bands for IMT
Digital dividend band (700MHz) to be for IMT (Refarming start after
WRC-2007 and band to be available in most parts of the country by
2018)

Future 4Gs bands plan

2.3 / 2.6 GHz bands

The 2.3 & 2.6 GHz bands are ready to be used (refarming started from 2000)
The 2.6 GHz band will be auctioned first
The 2.3 GHz band will be auctioned later
Detail auction rules, requirements and time are under
consideration

Refarming 2G bands for MBB

New Regulation (Circular 04/2015/TT-BTTTT) in Mar
10th :
Allow 2G licensees to deploy IMT/IMT-Advanced in
850/900/1800 MHz
850/900MHz refarming tech: HSPA/WCDMA
1800MHz refarming tech: LTE/LTE-Advanced

Digital Dividend
700 MHz band

Promote TV digitalization to release of 700 MHz band for IMT

- Strong support from the Government (refarming started

after WRC-07)
- Tight collaboration with all provinces & broadcasters
- Nationwide propagation program to advocate for DTTs
plan and benefit

Review 700/800MHz Band Plan

Considering APT700 / CEPT800 MHz / 850MHz band plan for
IMT

4G Spectrum Licensing Plan

General Principle:
Provide spectrum at the right time to address market needs
Handset economies of scale

Coming Licensing:
Spectrum auction of 2.6 GHz band
1 800 MHz band:
Allow trial in 2015
Allow commercially deployment in 2016

Spectrum Auction
2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz bands ready
2.6 GHz band is auctioned first

APT 700 MHz could be after 2017, subject refarming and

market demand
Potential bidders must be from FBO
Bidders must satisfy minimum requirement

Summary
Migration from 2G to MBB starts
Operators allowed to deploy MBB in their 2G spectrum, including LTE
Coverage bands (<1GHz) are put forward to bring MBB to rural areas
LTE commercial deployment envisaged in 2016

290 MHz available to use for 4G

APT 700 MHz band will be available in coming years
Review 700 MHz, 800/850 MHz, 900 MHz bands plan to
maximize the benefit of MBB
Timing a new band license depends on handset availability &
affordability, market demand

Thank you for your attention !

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