Newsletter 17

Latest news from 5G spectrum auctions

The German 5G spectrum auction, which started in March 2019, ended in June 2019 with 6.55 billion EUR offered in total by the four bidders. Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone Germany criticized high prices of the country’s auction. Deutsche Telekom bid 2.17 billion EUR for 2×20 MHz in the 2.1GHz band and 90 MHz in the 3.6 GHz band. Vodafone paid 1.88 billion EUR. In the 2.1 GHz frequencies, it bought 2×20 MHz for 806 million EUR and in the 3.6 GHz band the company acquired 90 MHz for 1 billion EUR. Telefonica bid 1.4 billion EUR for a total spectrum of 90 MHz, including 2×10 MHz in the 2.1 GHz range for 381.1 million EUR and 70MHz in the 3.6 GHz band for 1.04 billion EUR. The newcomer 1&1 Drillisch acquired 2×10 MHz in the 2.1 GHz band and 50 MHz in the 3.6 GHz band for 1.07 billion EUR. Spectrum will be partially available in 2020. The coverage obligations for the licence winners include a requirement to supply speeds of a minimum of 100Mbps to at least 98% of households in each state by the end of 2022, as well as all federal highways, and the major roads and railways. Furthermore, each operator will have to set up 1,000 5G base stations by the end of 2022, in addition to 500 base stations in “white spot” unserved rural areas. For newcomers, less stringent coverage requirements apply.

The French ARCEP revealed its plan for assigning spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band (310 MHz in 3.4-3.8 GHz) in Metropolitan France. It published a draft procedure in a public consultation on July 15^th, 2019. ARCEP is proposing a mixed allocation procedure that is not solely based on financial bids. In the first part of the procedure, operators will be able to secure blocks of spectrum in exchange for dedicated commitments including providing connectivity to verticals, improving indoor coverage, delivering fixed access products, improving transparency (on rollout forecasts and service outages), increasing access to MVNOs. The second part will be the conventional multi-round auction where mobile players are able to acquire additional spectrum. They will bid for spectrum left available after the first phase. 15+5-year licences will be awarded (including a 5-year possible extension). Interim reviews are scheduled in 2023 and 2028. All successful applicants (from the first and second phases) will be subject to coverage obligations (coverage of at least two French cities by YE 2020, 3,000 5G sites by 2022, 8,000 by 2024 and 12,000 by 2025, each site with speeds of 240 Mbps, coverage of motorways by 2025 and highways by 2027 with 5G sites able to deliver 100 Mbps minimum).

5G devices

List of 5G devices

Source: European 5G Observatory, Quarterly Report#4

Latest 5G commercial launches in Europe

Commercial 5G was launched in Finland by Elisa in January 2019.

In Switzerland, Sunrise anounced commercial launch in March2019,  Swisscom in April 2019.

In Austria, T-Mobile activated 25 initial 5G base stations in all of Austria on March 26, 2019.  These first 5G base stations are located in 17 rural municipalities and in 2 urban municipalities.

In Romania, Vodafone launched 5G commercial services that will initially cover several busy areas in Bucharest. Customers will be able to enjoy the service as soon as 5G handsets will be available on the market.

In the UK, EE was the first to launch 5G in the UK on May 30, 2019. Service started in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast, Birmingham, and Manchester, with several other cities joining before 2020. Vodafone UK launched in seven cities on July 3rd and expanded coverage to eight new cities (Birkenhead, Bolton, Gatwick, Lancaster, Newbury, Plymouth, Stoke-on-Trent and Wolverhampton).  O2 announced it will launch 5G in October 2019 in 20 locations in 2019 and 50 by Summer 2020. SkyMobile will also bring 5G to five cities at launch in November 2019, including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Leeds, and Slough.

In Spain, Vodafone launched commercial 5G services on June 15. The network was switched on in 15 cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Malaga, Zaragoza, Bilbao, Vitoria, San Sebastian, La Coruna, Vigo, Gijon, Pamplona, Logrono and Santander.

In Italy, Vodafone launched 5G in Italy in these five cities in June 2019: Naples, Bologna, Milan, Turin, and Rome. The company plans to roll out 5G to 100 cities by 2021. Telecom Italia (TIM) has become the second operator to offer commercial 5G services in Italy with the activation of its network in parts of Turin and Rome

Vodafone launched 5G services in Germany. The company switched on 25 antenna sites in 20 towns and cities including Cologne, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Dortmund and Munich. The 5G premium compared to 4G is 5 EUR per month. Vodafone customers will be able to access 5G plans starting at 14.99 euros per month and unlimited 5G data plans at 80 euros per month.

Major Papers

• 5G PPP 5G Architecture White Paper Revision 3.0 – For Public Consultation. (June 2019)
  The results of the Working Group are now captured in this Version 3.0 of the 5G Architecture which presents the consolidated European view on the architecture design – and this is now open for your comments.
• 5G PPP Test, Measurement and KPIs Validation Working Group White Paper (June 2019)
  “Validating 5G Technology Performance – Assessing 5G architecture and Application Scenarios”
  This paper proposes a unified vision on the Test and Measurement topics for 5G, allowing for common procedures and terminology and provides substantiated answers to more high-level relevant questions such as “does slicing help fulfilling vertical requirements for 5G?”
  
• 5G PPP Automotive White Paper:“Business Feasibility Study for 5G V2X Deployment” – (Version 2.0 February 2019)

First year of the European 5G Observatory

The European 5G Observatory provides updates on all market developments, including actions undertaken by the private and public sectors, in the field of 5G. All developments will be analysed in view of their strategic implications on the objectives of the 5G Action Plan and other public policy objectives. The Observatory focuses primarily on developments in Europe, along with major international developments that could impact the European market.

The following developments are monitored by the Observatory:

• Main 5G market developments including planning and commercial launch of 5G products and services with major impact;
• New developments regarding key 5G products and components as well as technology choices made by key actors including regarding standards and use of spectrum bands;
• 5G pre-commercial trials and partnerships between actors of the 5G value chain;
• National strategies and plans by EU Member States, available national data on 5G deployment including coverage and quality;
• Preparation and execution of spectrum assignments by public authorities as well as 5G public funding for network deployment and R&I.

The Observatory has published four Quarterly Reports and a Final Report showing 5G progress in Europe. Download them here.

Phase 3 (Part 2) Pre-structuring Model Version 2.0

Targeting a successful and coherent PPP Phase 3.II research and innovation programme and building on PPP Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3.I experience, the 5G Infrastructure Association members have developed the Phase 3.II PreStructuring Model (PSM). The goal is to ensure that the forthcoming set of projects (portfolio) will cleverly work together in Phase 3 and between Phase 2 and Phase 3. The Model is focused on Phase 3.II projects portfolio and related projects, not on proposals, and is building on the EC Work Programme 2018-2020 (final version of the WP2020 officially released on 02.07.19 – http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/wp/2018-2020/main/h2020-wp1820-leit-ict_en.pdf). The Model is presenting features and recommendations to guarantee smooth integration of new projects in existing coordinated programme. It is targeting system recommendations to develop future efficient cross-projects cooperation, ensuring a comprehensive coverage of R&I topics, with no gaps or redundancies.

The PSM Phase 3.II is focusing on the following EC Strategic Objectives:

• • ICT-52-2020 – Smart Connectivity beyond 5G (RIA) –  Deadline for submissions on 22.04.20.
  • ICT-41-2020 – 5G Innovations for Verticals with Third Party Services (IA) – Deadline for submissions on 22.04.20.
  • ICT-42-2020 – 5G Core Technology Innovations (IA and CSA) – Deadline for submissions on 16.01.20.
  • ICT-53-2020 – 5G for Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) (IA) – Deadline for submissions on 13.11.19.

DOWNLOAD the model here:  Phase 3 (Part 2) Pre-structuring Model Version 2.0

Next Steps:

• The PSM Version 2.0 will be presented during the EC Proposers Days on 19-20.09.19 in Helsinki (https://www.ideal-ist.eu/news/ict-proposers-day-2019).
• The PSM Phase 3.II Version 3.0 is planned for release in November 2019, following the start of the ICT-20-2019 projects. This version will include the key topics addressed by the funded ICT-20-2019 projects, targeting an overall Portfolio-Structuring Model and providing important context for the rest of the PSM Phase 3.II TAs.

ICT Proposers Days

EC R&I Days

European Research and Innovation Days is the first annual policy event of the European Commission, bringing together stakeholders to debate and shape the future research and innovation landscape. They are scheduled for September 24-25-26, 2019 in Brussels.

The event will be central to finding research and innovation solutions for this great transition by working across polices, setting the direction, spurring innovation and triggering investment. It will be the moment for all stakeholders to meet and co-create the strategic priorities for the European Commission’s investment in research and innovation.

Speakers will include ministers, commissioners, members of European Parliament, researchers, as well as surprise guests each day. The draft programme is now available here.

Engaging stakeholders to co-create and build the strategic priorities for the first 4 years of Horizon Europe, will be at the heart of the 2019 European Research and Innovation Days.

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The EU’s main funding instruments for research and innovation in Europe are the successive multiannual framework programmes. The current framework programme Horizon 2020 will be succeeded by Horizon Europe (2021-2027). The success of these programmes has grown over the years. Every euro invested by Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe can potentially generate a return of up to €11 of GDP.

NGI Forum

5G PPP@5GWF’19

The 2019 IEEE 2^nd 5G World Forum (5GWF’19) aims to bring experts from industry, academia and research to exchange their vision as well as their achieved advances towards 5G, and encourage innovative cross-domain studies, research, early deployment and large-scale pilot showcases that address the challenges of 5G.

5G-DRIVE, 5G EVE, 5G-VINNI, 5GENESIS, and SLICENET are organising the “2nd Workshop on 5G-Trials – From 5G Experiments to Business Validation” and calling for papers. The workshop aims at providing a forum for industry and academics to disseminate new findings on 5G trials and new business development.

The agenda can be viewed here.

AIOTI Event “IoT THrough the Looking Glass”

The Alliance for Internet of Things Innovation (AIOTI) organises a workshop on “IoT Through the Looking Glass” on October 8, 2019 in Brussels.

In the morning cross-vertical challenges and opportunities in research, emerging ecosystems, and societal trends will be explored. The impact and importance of pursuing a collaborative approach and look at future topics and technologies that will affect intelligent connectivity and IoT in Horizon Europe will also be highlighted.

Join the debate on cutting-edge technologies with Europe’s leading Internet of Things organization. Hear about our vision for future European IoT Network with leading IoT players in Europe.

Register online here.

The programme and conference website will follow shortly. Stay tuned for more news!

European Big Data Value Forum

The European Big Data Value Forum is the flagship event of the European Big Data Value community. EBDVF 2019 is jointly organised by the Big Data Value Association, the European Commission and VTT and it will take place from 14 to 16 of October in Helsinki (Finland).

The theme of this year’s edition is “Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Transforming Business and Society”, and it is aimed to attract more than 600 participants, including relevant European industry players, policy makers and research community. Do not miss it!

Early bird registration is available until 22^nd August. Don’t miss this opportunity to book your tickets. You can check the entry fees and get your tickets here.

Some sponsorship packages are available. Get your projects or company’s visibility on key European event around Big Data and Artificial Intelligence. Check the different options available here.

Register now and book your seat at an event that will contribute to shape the Big Data and AI landscape in Europe.

FOKUS FUSECO Forum 2019

This year marks the 10th anniversary of our successful and most influential event series FOKUS FUSECO Forum with tutorials, workshops, live demos, a conference, and discussions with leading operators, manufacturers, integrators as well as various industry verticals around the most recent 5G hot topics: state of technology development in terms of standards, products and first solutions derived from international technology and application trials; potential business models in different vertical domains, particularly private networking options and operator network slicing approaches; operator 5G rollout plans, including migration and interworking with 4G, Wi-Fi and satellite networks; relevant 5G testbeds and trials around the globe.

For further information, please visit: https://www.fokus.fraunhofer.de/ngni/events/fuseco_forum_2019.

Additional details will be disclosed soon.

5G Techritory

Baltic Sea region 5G Ecosystem Forum “5G Techritory”, organized by the Electronic Communications Office of Latvia, has become a huge success already in its first year. In 2018 one of the leading 5G technology events worldwide gathered 700 participants, more than 70 senior speakers from Europe, Asia and the USA, leading industry organizations and global ICT companies as the organizational partners and main supporters. More details can be found on www.5gtechritory.com.

5G Techritory has initiated a new open platform for cross-border, cross-level and cross-sectoral cooperation for the development of a sustainable 5G ecosystem in the Baltic Sea region in line with the European Commission’s Strategy for the Digital Single Market and the Nordic-Baltic digital cross-border cooperation policy and its 5G Action Plan for 2018-2020. The Forum has helped to facilitate establishing new partnerships between global and regional ICT companies, governments, municipalities, business support organizations, universities and other key stakeholders in the region and in the wider European context.

During 3 days of intensive and comprehensive up-to-date program on November 27-29, the Forum will highlight:
– Plenary Sessions and parallel Working Sessions, which will be widely covered with the use of such formats as keynote presentations / featured panel presentations / panel discussions / case studies “start hard, turn smart” / expert insights / fireside chats
– Inspirational Talks with global business leaders and world-renowned futurists
– Meeting of the Nordic-Baltic high-level digitalization group
– Exclusive Breakfast Sessions with global business leaders
– Expo “Meet the 5G Technology”
– B2B Speed Networking Event
– Hackathon for meeting the leading 5G technology start-ups.

Additional details will be disclosed soon.