The Middle East Spectrum Conference: Agenda

Agenda

29-30 September 2009

Intercontinental Hotel

DAY 1: Tuesday 29 September

8.15 - 9.00 am
Registration

9.00 – 9.10

1. Opening ceremony: speech by His Excellency Mohammed Al Khasibi

The speaker is Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Oman and is at the same time the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Economy

9.10 – 9.20

2. Conference agenda presentation by Eng Yousuf Al  Belushi

Senior Manager spectrum management, TRA, Oman

9.20 - 9.25

3. Welcome from the conference organisers

4. Keynote address: Professor Martin Cave -  the benefits of spectrum liberalisation

Professor Martin Cave of Warwick University is regarded as the architect of spectrum liberalisation in UK whose reports for the government laid the foundation for a market-orientated approach. In this presentation Professor Cave will explain how  liberalisation can benefit national economies and suggest ways in which it can be implemented.

10.10 – 10.30 Refreshment break

10.30 – 12.30

5. Replanning GSM networks

In some Gulf countries finding a way of re-assigning spectrum to allow further competition in the mobile networks is a key challenge. How can this be achieved without destroying business models for incumbent operators yet fulfilling the promise of better and cheaper services for consumers? This session will examine these issues as well as considering relevant case studies from other countries.
Chair: Dr. Amer Al-Rawas, CEO, Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel)

• Estimating the cost of replanning GSM networks  Val Jervis, Aegis systems
• France: effective use of the refarming fund  Robert Touret,  ANFR
• Re-farming GSM: achieving equity and objectivity when assessing mobile operator allotments John Berry, InterConnect Communications
• Tackling the economic and practical issues raised by refarming the GSM and UMTS bands Tom Phillips, Head of Regulatory Affairs, GSMA

12.30 – 2.00 Lunch

2.00 - 2.20

6. Keynote address: John Berry - Maintaining performance in the borderlands: cross border coordination in TETRA, GSM, UMTS and WiMAX

This presentation by John Berry, Director of Spectrum Services at InterConnect Communications will consider practical solutions to the issues raised by cross border coordination of networks .

2.20 – 3.20

7. Broadband for all

Ubiquitous broadband is seen as a necessity for any  country seeking leadership in the digital economy. But how can this be achieved and what role can wireless networks play? This session will examine the policy initiatives which are stimulating the growth of wireless broadband.
Chair: His Excellency Dr Mohammed Ali Al-Waihibi, Under Secretary for Communications, MInistry of Transport & Communications

• Generic licensing: the WAPECs initiative Isolde Goggin, Rapporteur for the WAPECs working group
• The importance of technology and service neutrality Turhan Muluk, Intel Corporation
• Towards a successful regional broadband spectrum policy Eng. Yousuf Al Belushi, Senior Manager spectrum management, TRA, Oman

3.20 – 3.40 Refreshment break

3.40 – 4.00

8. Keynote address: Dr Amer Al-Rawas – Spectrum  Management Challenges and Opportunities

Dr. Amer Al-Rawas, the Chief Executive Officer of the Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) will give an operator's perspective on the spectrum policy issues in the region.

4.00 – 5.00

9. The benefits of analogue TV switchover

Managing a speedy transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting promises many benefits. It can free up  as much as 100 MHz – providing a solid basis for new  mobile or wireless broadband services. Furthermore digital terrestrial TV services can offer many new  channels as well as competition for other TV platforms like satellite. This session will focus on policy initiatives to optimise the transition process.
Chair: Tariq Al-Awadhi, Executive Director, Spectrum and International Affairs, Telecoms Regulatory Authority, UAE

• Europe's approach to the digital dividend Amit Nagpal, Analysys Mason
• How Finland completed digital switchover Mr Tauno Äijälä, Ministry of Transport and Telecoms
• Planning for digital terrestrial television Phil Laven, European Broadcasting Union

5.00 close

DAY 2: Wednesday 30 September

9.00 – 10.30 

1. Increasing flexibility in spectrum management 

Several countries, including the UK, US, Australia,  New Zealand, Sweden and the Netherlands have implemented a more flexible and market-orientated approach to spectrum management. These include auctions; spectrum pricing; technology and service neutral licensing; and greater self-regulation. This session will examine how these policies can stimulate competition, encourage new services and reduce the  regulatory burden.

Chair: Mr Ross Cormack, CEO, Omani Qatari telecommunication company (NAWRAS)

• Research on the economic benefits of liberalisation Andrew Wright, Partner Analysys Mason
• Legal issues in increasing flexibility  Ann J. LaFrance, coordinator of European communications law practice, Squire Sanders 
• Spectrum auctions: principles and preparation  Dr Chris Doyle, Apex Consulting
  
• A perspective from the satellite industry Ghazi Almihdar, Inmarsat
  

10.30 – 10.45 Refreshment break

10.45 – 11.10

2. Keynote address: The balance between government and private uses of spectrum - Naashiah Saud Al-Kharusi 

Naashiah Saud Al-Kharusi is a member of the Oman Telecoms Regulatory Authority and will give a Gulf perspective on public sector spectrum.

11.10 – 12.30

3. Making better use of public sector spectrum 

In most countries about 50% of the most valuable spectrum is used by public services, principally the military. A key recent development has been policies  designed to encourage more efficient use of these frequencies along with greater commercial access to public sector bands. This session will look at strategies for achieving these goals. 

Chair: Eng. Mr Mamoun Balqar, Vice chairman / commissioner, Telecoms Regulatory Commission of Jordan 

• The benefits of improving public sector spectrum efficiency  Saul Friedner, Mott MacDonald 
• Harmonising and sharing military bands  Val Jervis, Aegis Systems 
• Using incentive pricing in the public sector  Dr Chris Doyle, Apex Consulting
  
• Comparing national approaches to public sector spectrum reform Martin Sims, PolicyTracker
  

12.30 – 2.00 Lunch

2.00 – 3.20 

4. Spectrum and environmental issues 

Maximising the benefits of the wireless sector depends partly on dealing with the environmental concerns which have arisen in recent years. New mobile networks cannot be built unless the public is satisfied that there is no health risk. New services require new equipment and governments are becoming increasingly concerned about the safe disposal of the legacy equipment, ranging from transmitters to mobile handsets. 
Chair: Dr Elsayed Azzouz, Director of Radio Spectrum Planning Division, National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, Egypt

• Taking an environmental perspective on the whole communications industry  Dr. Colin Forster, Plextek Limited
• RF health effects and safety standards Prof Michael Repacholi, University of Rome, Italy
  
• Overcoming the challenges posed by the disposal of  radio equipment 
  Jeremy Foster, Ericsson
  

3.20 – 3.30 Refreshment break 

3.30 - 3.45

6. Keynote address: Dr Georg Schoene - Spectrum Management 2020: What can be expected from Spectrum Management Techniques during the next decade?

Dr Schoene is a board member at LS Telcom.

 
3.45 – 5.00 

7. Future trends in spectrum : an industry perspective

Much of the innovation in the communications sector depends on access to spectrum. These speakers will identify key emerging technologies, the services they  can offer and how their spectrum needs can be met. This session will end with a group discussion.
Chair: Eng. Habeeb K. Al Shankit, CEO. Deputy governor for spectrum affairs, Communications and Information Technology Commissions, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• What are the spectrum requirements for LTE?  Jeremy Foster, Ericsson
• New developments in transport services and machine to machine communications  Steve Methley, Quotient Associates Ltd
• Cognitive radio in Europe and the Middle East  Zeina Mokaddem, Abu Dhabi office, Access Partnership
• Meeting the needs of the unlicensed sector  Robert Horvitz, Open Spectrum Foundation
• The development of Iburst  George El Aily, CEO, Kleos 

5.00 close