11th Asia Pacific Spectrum Management Conference

As we have just heard, key agenda items at WRC-27 are set to play a big part in setting the future connectivity landscape for both mobile and satellite connectivity. Decisions will be taken on the key frequencies that are likely to be the ‘pioneer’ bands for 6G; and on the non-terrestrial side, smaller satellite terminals and the broad framework that governs access to spectrum for Non-Geostationary satellites as well as on satellite-terrestrial integration. Against the backdrop of the pending decisions at WRC-23, but also looking at things more broadly, the next 2 sessions will focus specifically on the options, challenges and opportunities that regulators, operators and other stakeholders are facing in order to deliver the required spectrum to drive forward the next generation of mobile and satellite respectively. 

• How critical is WRC-27 going to be in setting the initial ‘pioneer’ band or bands that will be used for 6G rollout?
• What is the current usage of the three identified IMT study bands (4400–4800 MHz, 7125–8500 MHz, and 14.8–15.35 GHz) across Region 3, and how does this compare to the usage that’s seen elsewhere? 
• To what extent could this impact the suitability of each respective band to support the connectivity demands of 6G networks and meet future requirements in each region?
• What should be the key regional objectives for APAC for WRC-27 regarding the use of these bands, and how can it be ensured that the needs of IMT are balanced with the needs of existing primary users in the bands?
• What technical and regulatory challenges would need to be addressed to enable IMT services in these bands?
• Is it inevitable that one or more of these bands will provide the backbone for the initial 6G rollout, or are there other options that may also come into the mix?
• How likely is it that a globally harmonised 6G pioneer band or bands will emerge (in the same way that the 3.5GHz band became the global 5G capacity band)? Which would be the most likely candidates?
• How will emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, and extended reality (XR) shape the evolution of 6G?

The rapid growth of satellite-based communication services and the need for smaller satellite terminals in the Asia-Pacific region has highlighted the critical importance of efficient national licensing frameworks and spectrum pricing strategies. As demand for satellite services continues to grow — driven by applications like broadband connectivity, IoT, and disaster management — governments and regulators across APAC are grappling with how to best manage satellite spectrum to encourage innovation while maintaining fair competition and ensuring efficient use of this limited resource. This session will bring together policymakers, industry representatives, and regulators to explore innovation, emerging trends, challenges, and best practices how to use satellite spectrum and how to update satellite licensing and pricing in the APAC region. Discussions will focus on creating frameworks that foster innovation, enhance accessibility, and balance economic and social goals.

• What key satellite trends and innovation are being seen across different bands, and how might these impact decisions on spectrum policy, both as part of WRC-27 and also more broadly? 
• What are the key challenges in developing efficient national licensing frameworks for satellite services in APAC, and how can they balance innovation, fair competition, and accessibility?
• How can spectrum pricing models in the region ensure efficient use of resources while supporting affordability and promoting economic and social goals?
• How is the growth of NGSO (LEO or MEO) satellite systems transforming the framework that governs satellite spectrum licensing and access models in APAC, and what challenges are their unique deployment models creating for regulators?
• What strategies can regulators adopt to facilitate coexistence among GEO, MEO, and LEO operators while avoiding interference and ensuring equitable access?
• What policies and initiatives can governments and regulators implement to encourage innovation in satellite communications while bridging connectivity gaps in underserved regions?
• How can regulators manage the potential for localized congestion in the Ku and Ka bands as the number of users and gateways increases?

Until now, the 3.5GHz band has served as a cornerstone for the development of IMT and 5G services within mid-band frequencies. However, recent developments, including decisions at WRC-23, have led to an increasing number of other mid-band frequencies also now becoming available for IMT and being brought to market 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz, 3.3-3.6 GHz, 4.8-4.99 GHz, and 6 GHz to name a few. This session will look at the progress that is being seen across the region in bringing these emerging bands to market, and also at the development of the ecosystem and of technologies and devices designed to operate within them. With mid-band spectrum offering some of the most valuable bandwidth both for IMT and other users, it will look at how regulators, operators and other key stakeholders can act in order to unlock its full potential.

• What is the current status of mid-band spectrum allocation across the Asia-Pacific region? How much of the allocated spectrum is accessible, has been awarded, and is actively being utilized?
• What recent examples of awards in mid-band frequencies have been seen across APAC countries, and what approaches have been used? Are there any lessons that can be taken? 
• How is the ecosystem of mid-band technologies and devices, beyond the 3.5GHz band, advancing and evolving across the APAC region? To what extent is a harmonised approach being seen, and how important is this to ensure the value of these key bands are maximised?
• What are the predominant technical challenges associated with deploying services across different mid-band frequencies, and what innovative solutions are being explored to address these?
• How can mid-band spectrum drive innovation in IoT, smart cities, and industrial automation in APAC countries?
• How can it be ensured that key users beyond IMT, such as satellite and WiFi, also have efficient and equitable access to sufficient mid-band spectrum to meet their current and future requirements? 
• To what degree is the potential of key mid-bands being maximised, and are there still ways they can be utilised more efficiently and effectively? Have we found the best use for the mid-band spectrum?

Whilst the lower 6GHz frequency range has now been allocated for unlicenced use across the entire APAC region, the future of the upper 6GHz band (6.425-7.125 GHz) remains a topic of significant debate and strategic importance. Its long term future remains uncertain as countries across the region explore diverse approaches tailored to their unique technological priorities and regulatory landscapes. Some, like South Korea, have embraced unlicensed use for the entire band; others, like China, have allocated the spectrum for IMT – Hong Kong, for example, have recently conducted the first ever global auction of spectrum in the band. Many other countries in the region remain in the consultation and study phases, carefully evaluating the most suitable use of this critical resource and whether it should be allocated for IMT, WiFi, or even whether there is an approach that can meet the needs of both stakeholder groups. As the region navigates these different paths, this session will look for any emerging trends, and explore the long-term future of the band both within individual countries and for the region as a whole. 

• What trends are emerging regarding the future of the upper 6GHz band, both in the APAC region and across the world? To what extent should initiatives being seen in other regions be a factor in informing national strategies for APAC countries?
• How is the ecosystem for the upper 6GHz band progressing in terms of both licensed and unlicensed technologies? Are we seeing sufficient development in equipment, devices, and applications to drive widespread adoption?
• How can regulators ensure that decisions that they are taking foster this ecosystem growth, and maximise the benefits of economies of scale?
• What role does regional coordination play in driving this development, and what initiatives are currently underway in this area?
• What key steps need to be taken in the short to medium term to ensure that the upper 6GHz band delivers its full potential for innovation, economic growth, and connectivity in APAC? How critical is equipment readiness and market demand in shaping these decisions?
• What is the overall future of the band likely to be in the long-term? Is there a likelihood that a majority of countries will fall into line and follow either a licensed or unlicensed approach, or are we going to see a continuation of the fragmentation that is seemingly emerging at the current time?

Governments and regulators are continually trying to find more efficient ways to bring spectrum to market whilst designing fair and competitive award processes for both spectrum acquisitions and license renewals. There is a wide variety across the APAC region in the pricing models, award mechanisms, and renewal strategies that are being seen, and the results that these deliver. This session will hear from key experts on some of these different approaches that are being seen, which are delivering the best results and where best practice lies when it comes to spectrum licencing, pricing and renewals.  

• What recent spectrum awards and renewals have been seen recently across the region? What approaches were used, and what results were seen?
• How can regulators ensure that their selection of award method balances both economic and social value, and what examples of best practices in this area have been observed both in the APAC region and globally?

• How are regulators implementing mechanisms to encourage the optimal utilisation of spectrum, and what are the consequences of applying and enforcing regulations aimed at ensuring efficient spectrum use?

• What factors have led to some of the examples that have been seen in the region of spectrum remaining unsold in award processes? How can regulators look to avoid these going forward? 
• What different approaches are being seen when setting prices for the acquisition or access to spectrum? 
• When designing the process and establishing fair pricing for the renewal of spectrum licenses, what factors should be considered, and what are the primary concerns related to renewal fees? 
• What examples have been seen of licence conditions including requirements for mobile operators to make payments beyond spectrum usage fees, (i.e. charges, or taxes), and how do such additional financial obligations impact award processes?

For those countries across the APAC region who led the way in the launch of 5G services, the next step is now the transition from initial 5G deployments to more advanced 5G standalone and 5G Advanced networks. These have the potential to unlock new 5G applications and use cases, and to unlock new revenue streams for operators and the wider ecosystem. However, the journey is not without challenges, and the pace of rollout of this next generation of 5G services has arguably been slower than expected. This session will look at some of the hurdles that are being faced, and the approaches that those countries who are leading the way are taking in order to overcome these. It will explore emerging roadmaps that are being seen across the region, and the best way forward to deliver a robust ecosystem to support 5G Advanced, ensuring spectrum requirements are met, paving the way towards 6G, all while balancing the diverse needs of other evolving connectivity technologies.

• What progress has been made in deploying 5G Standalone and 5G Advanced technologies in the Asia Pacific region? Which countries are leading the way in these developments? 
• To what extent has the development of 5G Standalone and 5G Advanced services in the region been aligned with predictions? If there have been delays, what are the key factors that have affected faster progress adoption?
• What are the spectrum requirements for 5G Advanced, and to what extent are the requirements now in place to meet these? Are there steps that can be taken at a regulatory level to streamline policies to accelerate 5G Standalone and 5G Advanced deployments?
• How is the ecosystem for 5G Standalone and 5G Advanced developing across the region and to what extent is a harmonised approach being seen? 
• What strategies are needed to enhance device compatibility, application ecosystems, and enterprise adoption to help drive rollout of services and fully utilize the potential of 5G Advanced?
• How vital is 5G Advanced as a stepping stone towards 6G? How can regulators balance the rollout of standalone 5G networks while developing a coordinated strategy to prepare for this longer term transition towards 6G? 
• How can the need for spectrum to meet the next generations of mobile connectivity be balanced with the needs of other future connectivity technologies to ensure the requirements of everyone are met?

Despite significant investments and efforts to close the digital divide across the APAC region, a stark disparity still exists between those who are digitally connected and those who are not. While citizens in more developed countries and urban centres benefit from some of the fastest and most advanced connectivity in the world, over 35% of the region’s population remains unconnected. And whilst high-income countries in the region report internet usage rates of up to 93%, low-income countries lag significantly behind, with only 27% internet penetration. This session will explore whether current strategies to bridge this divide are effective or if a fundamental rethink is needed. It will delve into the key factors driving the connectivity gap, including inadequate infrastructure, geographical challenges, limited private sector investment, affordability barriers, and a lack of digital literacy and skills. It will also evaluate the progress made to date in tackling this, and explore whether the current pace of change is sufficient. Finally, it will consider how new technologies, innovative policy approaches, and improved spectrum management can be leveraged to make meaningful progress in connecting underserved populations across the region.

• What is the current status of connectivity in the APAC region, and what countries are leading the way towards closing the digital divide?
• Is the pace of progress that is being seen acceptable, or is there a need for a rethink? 
• What are the specific challenges that are holding up progress in unserved and underserved areas, and how can these be overcome?
• How can emerging new technologies and policy thinking be harnessed as part of future strategies? What innovative examples of this are already being seen both in the APAC region and elsewhere and what lessons can be taken from these? 
• What combination of terrestrial and non terrestrial technologies can best be used to deliver coverage in underserved areas, and how can this best be funded?
• To what extent is the cost of devices and services a barrier to those who theoretically live in areas with access to connectivity but do not use the internet? How can this challenge of affordability be tackled?
• What incentives, such as tax breaks, subsidies, or favourable spectrum licensing terms, can be offered to encourage private companies to invest in expanding connectivity in the region? How can these incentives be structured to ensure sustainable and impactful investments?

• How are Universal Service Funds being used as a tool to help improve connectivity in underserved areas, and how can it be ensured that the funding that is available is being utilised in the best possible way?
• What specific spectrum bands are particularly important in tackling coverage gaps and improving network capacity in the APAC region? To what extent is the potential of these bands being utilised to maximise efficiency?
• How can spectrum allocation policies be optimised to support a diverse mix of technologies to increase regional coverage? What approaches and technologies have been most successful in addressing both the connectivity and usage gaps? 

Direct-to-Device (D2D) Connectivity has emerged as one of the most discussed innovations in recent times. Advocates highlight its potential as a groundbreaking technology, set to revolutionize the telecommunications industry by enabling seamless connectivity directly between devices, eliminating the need for traditional network infrastructure – an advancement particularly promising for unserved and underserved regions. However, its practical implementation presents unique challenges, including spectrum allocation, interference protection, affordability and delivering policy alignment to ensure interoperability across devices and networks. This session will examine the latest developments in D2D technology and policy thinking and explore the barriers to widescale adoption. It will discuss the steps required to unlock the full potential of this groundbreaking technology and ask whether the current hype surrounding it is justified.

• What are the key challenges and opportunities in advancing D2D connectivity? What similarities are being seen in the approaches that are emerging in regions around the world, and where are these differences?
• What spectrum allocation and management strategies are being proposed to meet the needs of D2D services, and how do they ensure coexistence with existing users?
• How can D2D technology specifically address the connectivity gap in unserved and underserved regions? What innovations are emerging to make this feasible?
• With countries like Australia consulting to amend regulations for D2D services, what challenges are they encountering, particularly with integrating Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) into existing networks? What lessons can be drawn from their experiences?
• How can it be ensured that D2D operators do not impact or interfere with existing terrestrial networks and services?
• How can governments and industries work together to lower data and device costs, reducing affordability as a barrier to connectivity? What initiatives are being seen at a national level to increase public connectivity?
• To what extent are we seeing a prioritisation of harmonization of D2D standards, and what impact could this have on creating a global ecosystem?
• What regulatory and policy frameworks are being developed to foster D2D innovation while safeguarding fairness and protecting incumbent users in key frequency bands?
• Is the current hype surrounding D2D technology justified?

The sub-1GHz UHF spectrum has traditionally supported a diverse range of critical services – terrestrial broadcasting, PMSE, narrowband communications and more. In recent years, it has also become hugely important as a coverage band for mobile broadband, with spectrum that is freed up from the switch off of analogue broadcast services being reallocated to deliver connectivity to outlying regions. As the Asia-Pacific region continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities of this digital TV migration and spectrum reallocation, questions about spectrum efficiency, device ecosystem readiness, and the best way to balance the needs of incumbent and emerging users remain. This panel will explore the evolving dynamics of the UHF spectrum, addressing key developments, potential innovations, and the long-term vision for these vital frequencies. It will focus on ensuring that both legacy and future services can coexist while maximizing the value of this critical resource.

• What is the situation across the entire range of sub-1GHz UHF frequencies in the region? What new thinking is being seen, and what potential challenges and opportunities may emerge? 
• How important is it that a coordinated approach across the UHF frequencies is seen in the region, and what work is being done to deliver this?
• What progress has been made in digital TV migration and the reallocation of bands to deliver capacity bands for IMT services? How has this impacted incumbent services like terrestrial broadcasting and PMSE, and what challenges have been faced?
• Three years on from the APT approval of a new 600 MHz band plan, what progress has been made in bringing this spectrum into use across the region?
• How much of a challenge has the lack of equipment and devices to operate in the band been to date, and what progress in this area is being seen?
• What is the long-term future of the frequencies below 600MHz – 500Mhz, 450MHz and 410MHz?
• What national approaches are being seen to ensure that the current and future needs of key users of these bands such as terrestrial broadcast, PMSE and narrowband communications continue to be met? 
• What innovations and new technologies are being seen in these sectors, and to what extent could these change the relationship between them and IMT?
• How can regulators harness emerging new technologies and spectrum management techniques to ensure that the entire range of frequencies below 1GHz are allocated and utilized in the most efficient way, and that the needs of both current and emerging users are met?

The number of countries in the APAC region deploying 5G services continues to rise. This session will hear case studies from nations expected to be among the next wave to launch 5G networks. It will offer insights into ongoing planning and implementation efforts, timelines and strategies for spectrum awards, and the work that is being done to ensure that infrastructure and regulatory frameworks are ready for a smooth and efficient rollout.