(1)President, ANACOM
Since the arrival of mobile networks in the 1980s, new mobile generations have emerged every 10 years; the current decade is characterised by 5G, as shown in Figure 1.
However, 5G is more than a simple incremental evolution over previous generations. The first noticeable feature will be the increase in data transmission speeds. 5G will be much faster than previous generations, while low latency and high reliability will allow real-time interaction and mass machine-to-machine communications, as well as the implementation of multiple virtual networks over a single physical network infrastructure and the virtualisation of network functions.
5G will play a disruptive role in the market, due to the possibility of implementing and developing specific applications, enabling a wide range of applications in different sectors, e.g., education, healthcare, agriculture, industry and automotive.
The auction to allocate Rights of Use of Frequencies in the 700 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.6 GHz, and 3.6 GHz bands in Portugal, which is currently ongoing, will lead to the allocation of Rights of Use in the 5G harmonised bands, as well as other bands.
Spectrum will be made available with different characteristics: lower bands (in the case of 700 MHz) will allow greater geographic coverage per antenna, but lower data speeds; higher bands (particularly 3.6 GHz) will favour increased capacity and higher data speeds, but with reduced geographic coverage per antenna.
The auction's main objectives are: (i) to promote social and territorial cohesion; (ii) promote greater competition in the electronic communications market and, consequently, help end-users derive maximum benefit in terms of choice, price, and quality of service; (iii) encourage effective and efficient use of the spectrum and (iv) pursue national and community goals in the field of digital transformation.
The auction also sets out conditions to increase and improve the coverage of national mobile networks, favouring less densely populated areas, and conditions which ensure that less economically attractive areas can also take advantage of 5G. As such, operators that acquire spectrum in the auction will be made subject to different obligations in terms of coverage, network development and improvement of the voice service signal.
One of the goals is to ensure coverage of 90% of the population in parishes with lower population density by the end of 2025, as well as the population of parishes in the Autonomous Regions of Madeira and the Azores, with mobile broadband at a minimum speed of 100 Mbps.
Priority coverage obligations are also defined in the provision of 5G-compatible services to hospitals, healthcare centres, universities and polytechnic institutes, business and industrial parks, ports and airports and military institutions, without neglecting the development of 5G in all low-density municipalities; all these obligations can be fulfilled by operators using their own or shared stations or using third-party stations through wholesale offers.
The auction regulation includes the reservation of spectrum for new applicants and network access obligations for current mobile network operators, whether under agreements for mobile virtual operator services (MVNO) or under national roaming agreements. The goal is to reduce barriers to market entry, promote competitiveness and to encourage new operators - including those with differentiated business models - to stimulate market development. This facilitates the emergence of new services and deals at competitive prices, with clear benefits for end-users.
National roaming and infrastructure sharing, both options available to operators, are tools that could reduce network development costs and allow multiple operators to provide mobile services in locations that, given their lower economic attractiveness, did not benefit from band coverage.
At the end of the auction, ANACOM is required to monitor operator compliance with coverage obligations, as well as associated obligations in terms of network access.
ANACOM has released a range of information on 5G, having conducted a series of webinars aimed at local authorities, leading to the ‘Towards 5g Digital Guide',(1) with presentations and videos available to the public. And given significant public concerns about the impact of 5G radiation, ANACOM has published the results of electromagnetic field measurements, conducted following the various authorisations issued since 2017 to carry out 5G technical trials.(2) ANACOM has also produced the guide “Mobile networks and health - facts, data and challenges”,(3), addressing false news and providing accurate information. This information is available on the 5G website,(4) provided by ANACOM to answer the concerns and queries of the general public about 5G.
Some of the current mobile network frequencies(5) may also be used by 5G (e.g., 1800 MHz, with tests already underway).
It will also be necessary to increase numbering resources to accommodate the foreseeable mass expansion of M2M/IoT devices and to keep up with the market’s development, in order to promote competitiveness, mitigate potential barriers to entry and prevent new monopolies from emerging.
ANACOM will also play an active role in the implementation of the Connectivity and 5G Toolbox, which includes 39 best practices to reduce the installation costs of very high-capacity networks and to provide access to spectrum for 5G, with a view to promoting and speeding up the installation of these networks in line with the goals of the EU Gigabit Society.
We are certain that the introduction of 5G in Portugal will help drive digital transformation across all sectors of activity while, simultaneously, contributing to the country's economic, social, and territorial cohesion, meeting the legitimate wishes of the population and of the national economic fabric.