15th European Spectrum Management Conference

Series Overview

Covid-19 has impacted the spectrum and connectivity world, in the same way as it has done to almost every aspect of society. It is putting an unprecedented strain on connectivity and broadband networks around the world, and is potentially going to delay the release of key spectrum bands as well as the ongoing roll-out of 5G and other next generation systems. However at the same time, many countries are looking at spectrum as a key tool to help tackle this global crisis.

This event will feature a series of virtual panel discussions, held on consecutive days (28, 29 & 30 April) focusing on: 

Tuesday 28 April: Keeping the World Connected in Times of Crisis;
Exploring the current challenges faced by governments and industry looking to maintain connectivity networks in both urban and rural environments, and the work that is being done to tackle these.

Wednesday 29 April: The Impact of Covid-19 on Spectrum Awards and Valuation;
Looking at how the award and release of spectrum bands is being affected by Covid-19 in countries all around the world, and exploring whether spectrum valuations may also be affected.

Thursday 30 April: Keeping the Delivery of 5G on Track;
Looking at the impact that Covid-19 might have on the delivery of 5G, and at the work that is being done to keep rollout on track both during and in the immediate aftermath of the crisis

All 3 sessions are FREE TO ATTEND for all participants. The aim is to bring key stakeholders together and provide a platform for the sharing of ideas and best practices on how to keep the world connected given the current challenges that we all face.

This event has now taken place. Thank you to all our partners, sponsors, speakers and delegates. Rewatch the panel sessions in full on our YouTube channel here.

Organisers & Partners

Event Organiser
Forum Europe
Forum Europe is the leading EU dedicated conference and event provider. Founded in 1989 and with offices at the heart of the European Union in Brussels, Forum Europe specialises in EU focussed political and economic conferences and debates. We work successfully with businesses, institutions, NGOs and government alike while organising our own portfolio of sector leading events. The Forum Europe team consists of multilingual EU policy and events specialists and out strategic services can maintain and develop your networks at EU level while delivering forums where key issues can be aired and debated.
Event Organiser
Forum Vision
Forum Europe’s virtual conference offering – Forum Vision – delivers strategic EU events online. Our virtual events are designed to enable partners, policymakers and other stakeholders to engage with each other on vital policy files, and to support transparency and inclusion in the policymaking process. We have the platforms and human expertise to power, plan, and execute virtual events, from long planned conferences to smaller roundtables. Critically, we can deliver these solutions in as little as 3 days and apply the same strategic offering as in the delivery of physical events.
Platinum Sponsor
Analysys Mason
Analysys Mason is a global specialist in telecoms, media and technology (TMT). Since its formation, Analysys Mason has been instrumental in shaping spectrum policy around the world through our wide-ranging studies helping regulators and operators to develop spectrum strategy, efficiently manage spectrum, formulate spectrum licence conditions, value spectrum and prepare for spectrum awards.With offices in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Americas, the Middle East and Africa we are respected worldwide for our exceptional quality of work, independence and flexibility in responding to client needs. For over 25 years we have been helping clients in more than 100 countries to maximise their opportunities.
Platinum Partner
Ericsson
Ericsson is the driving force behind the Networked Society - a world leader in communications technology and services. Our long-term relationships with every major telecom operator in the world allow people, business and society to fulfill their potential and create a more sustainable future. Our services, software and infrastructure - especially in mobility, broadband and the cloud - are enabling the telecom industry and other sectors to do better business, increase efficiency, improve the user experience and capture new opportunities. With approximately 115,000 professionals and customers in 180 countries, we combine global scale with technology and services leadership. We support networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty percent of the world's mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. And our investments in research and development ensure that our solutions - and our customers - stay in front. Founded in 1876, Ericsson has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Net sales in 2015 were SEK 246.9 billion (USD 29.4 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York.
Platinum sponsor
ETNO
www.etno.eu
ETNO represents Europe’s telecommunications network operators and is the principal policy group for European e-communications network operators. ETNO’s primary purpose is to promote a positive policy environment allowing the EU telecommunications sector to deliver best quality services to consumers and businesses.
Platinum Sponsor
ESOA
ESOA is a non-profit organisation established with the objective of serving and promoting the common interests of satellite operators from Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the CIS. The Association today represents the interests of 21 satellite operators who deliver information communication services across the globe. Together ESOA Members provide invaluable communications services to the whole world including emergency communications, live broadcasting, maritime and aero communications, secure services for governments, 24-7 monitoring of industrial processes such as energy plants and a whole range of other communications capabilities that society has come to rely on.
Platinum Sponsor
Facebook
www.facebook.com
Founded in 2004, Facebook's mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. People use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, to discover what's going on in the world, and to share and express what matters to them.
Platinum Sponsor
Huawei
www.huawei.eu
Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Through our dedication to customer-centric innovation and strong partnerships, we have established end-to-end advantages in telecom networks, devices and cloud computing. We are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers by providing competitive solutions and services. Our products and solutions have been deployed in over 140 countries, serving more than one third of the world’s population.
Platinum Sponsor
LYA
www.LYA.com
LYA® is an expert consultant to the telecommunications and broadcasting industry focused on strategic advice, research and spectrum matters including auctions. LYA’s focus is on providing value-added services in development and implementation of strategy and business plans, investment analysis, support of acquisitions and divestitures, due diligence reviews and financial modelling. We provide regulatory and policy analysis, including expert evidence, and auction consulting services. LYA’s clients include mobile carriers, investors and regulators. LYA has independently developed Auction Platforms supporting different formats (SMRA, CCA, and clock auctions). LYA’s Auction Platforms have been used extensively to conduct mock auctions and simulations leveraging robot bidder capabilities. The Platforms are secure and configurable for use by auctioneers. The LYA team brings experience and expertise across different auction formats, spectrum bands and applications around the world. LYA also offers its clients the ability to conduct private auctions of spectrum licenses or other assets and handles all key tasks supporting the sale. Please visit www.LYA.com for more details.
Platinum Sponsor
Plum Consulting
www.plumconsulting.co.uk
Plum Consulting is a specialised consulting firm offering strategy, policy, regulatory and engineering advice on telecoms, media and online sectors; and on radio spectrum as a key sector input. In October 2014 Plum Consulting London LLP and Aegis Systems Limited announced that they had entered into an agreement under which the business operations of Aegis Systems became part of Plum. The combined entity, trading as Plum, builds on the strategy, policy and regulatory advice from Plum’s consultants and specialist technical and engineering advice to users and regulators of the radio spectrum from Aegis consultants.Our clients on radio spectrum projects include government, regulators and industry players (operators and vendors). We work in many countries in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, Europe and North and Latin America and the Caribbean on a wide range of spectrum and telecoms issues
Platinum Sponsor
Qualcomm
Qualcomm’s technologies powered the smartphone revolution and connected billions of people. While many of our inventions and breakthroughs reside “under the hood” of consumer electronics, they have transformed the world in a big way. They have helped propel mobile to the forefront of the technology world and to the top of consumers’ wish lists. They have created new opportunities for mobile ecosystem players — the wireless device makers, the operators, the developers and the content creators of the world. And more recently, our inventions and breakthroughs have inspired fresh, new ideas from those companies — large and small — new to the wireless space. We are engineers, scientists and business strategists. Together, we focus on a single goal — invent mobile technology breakthroughs. We pioneered 3G and 4G — and now, we are leading the way to 5G and a new era of intelligent, connected devices. Our products are revolutionizing industries including automotive, computing, IoT and healthcare, and are allowing millions of devices to connect with each other in ways never before imagined
Silver Sponsor
Broadcast Networks Europe
www.broadcast-networks.eu
Broadcast Networks Europe is dedicated to maintaining an efficient and fair regulatory and operational environment for Terrestrial Broadcast Network Operators with a view to ensuring European citizens continue having universal access to a broad range of TV and radio programs and content as well as other over-the-air services.
Silver Sponsor
EWIA
www.ewia.org
The European Wireless Infrastructure Association is the European trade association of wholesale wireless infrastructure providers. Our members invest in and operate wireless infrastructure essential to the delivery of mobile voice, wireless broadband and other wireless networks.EWIA advocates policies that encourage the network infrastructure investment and deployment necessary to make advanced wireless broadband available everywhere for consumers, businesses, health care, public safety and the countless other sectors that rely on always-on wireless connections.
Knowledge Partner
Aetha
www.aethaconsulting.com
Aetha Consulting provides strategic advice to the telecommunications industry and specialises in undertaking rigorous data-driven quantitative assessments to help businesses, regulators and policy makers make major strategic and regulatory decisions. We work with our clients to develop creative and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing them in a constantly changing environment. Aetha helps operators and regulators to analyse the opportunities and threats arising out of changes (whether real or proposed) in their radio spectrum holdings. Throughout the recent unprecedented growth of wireless services, Aetha's staff have been at the forefront of spectrum policy. Our consultants have assisted regulators to award spectrum and develop regulatory frameworks, including supporting the European Commission to tackle issues such as spectrum trading and the digital dividend.We also support operators to understand their spectrum needs, value spectrum and bid in auctions. Each year we support 10-15 bidders in spectrum auctions - a total of over 80 award processes between mid-2011 and 2017 across all regions of the world. Our technical knowledge, combined with our rigorous valuation modelling approach, ensures that our clients are comprehensively prepared for auctions.
Knowledge Partner
NERA Economic Consulting
www.nera.com
is a global firm of experts dedicated to applying economic, finance, and quantitative principles to complex business and legal challenges. For half a century, NERA’s economists have been creating strategies, studies, reports, expert testimony, and policy recommendations for government authorities and the world’s leading law firms and corporations. We bring academic rigor, objectivity, and real world industry experience to bear on issues arising from competition, regulation, public policy, strategy, finance, and litigation. NERA’s clients value our ability to apply and communicate state-of-the-art approaches clearly and convincingly, our commitment to deliver unbiased findings, and our reputation for quality and independence. Our clients rely on the integrity and skills of our unparalleled team of economists and other experts backed by the resources and reliability of one of the world’s largest economic consultancies. With its main office in New York City, NERA serves clients from more than 25 offices across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Speakers

Mario-M-

Mario Maniewicz

Director, Radiocommunication Bureau, ITU

Brendan Carr elementor

Brendan Carr

Commissioner, FCC

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Philip Marnick

Group Director, Spectrum,
Ofcom

MVB HOPIN

Michel Van Bellinghen

Incoming Chair 2021, BEREC

Aarti 3

Aarti Holla

Secretary General, ESOA

Jeremy Godfrey

Jeremy Godfrey

Commissioner, ComReg & Vice Chair, BEREC

Andreas Geiss

Andreas Geiss

Head of Spectrum Policy Unit,
European Commission

Frank Kruger- ele

Frank Kruger

Head of Digital Society and Infrastructure, German Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI); Chair, RSPG

Maarit

Maarit Palovirta

Director, Regulatory Affairs, ETNO

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Johanne Lemay

Co-President, LYA

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Mohammad Shahbaz

Chief Network Officer, Huawei

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Johan Keeletaar

Director, Facebook

Event Schedule

Sessions on Tuesday 28.04.2020 will begin at 14:00 CEST (8.00 EDT /13:00 BST)

Sessions on Wednesday 29.04.2020 / Thursday 30.04.2020 will begin at 15:00 CEST (9.00 EDT / 14:00 BST)

Session 1: Keeping the World
Connected in Times of Crisis
2020-04-28
Session 2: The Impact of Covid-19 on Spectrum Awards and Valuation
2020-04-29
Session 3: Keeping the Delivery of 5G
on Track
2020-04-30
14:00 - 14:10
Introduction & Welcome
14:10 - 14:40
Keynote Interview – How is Covid-19 affecting early preparation for WRC-23?
Keynote Interview – How is Covid-19 affecting early preparation for WRC-23? image
Moderator: Janette Stewart
Principal, Analysys Mason
Keynote Interview – How is Covid-19 affecting early preparation for WRC-23? image
Mario Maniewicz
Director, Radiocommunication Bureau, ITU
14:40 - 15:00
Virtual Networking break

An opportunity for attendees to visit our virtual networking lounge or browse the virtual exhibition area.

15:00 - 15:05
Introduction & Welcome: Keeping the World Connected in Times of Crisis

The current lockdown and huge increase in home-working is putting enormous pressure on communications networks as well as serving to highlight the critical importance of connectivity for business continuity, communicating key messages to citizens, and maintaining family connections.
Taken more broadly, it is truly shining a light on the impact of the Digital Divide at such times of crisis. This session will look at measures that are being taken by governments and industry around the world to ensure the continuation of strong, robust connectivity services and at some of the challenges that are being faced. It will look at the impact of the lack of communication.

 

  • What measures are being taken by governments, regulators and industry around the world to maintain connectivity during this time, particularly given the increased strain on networks caused by the lockdown?
  • To what extent is there an argument in the current situation for regulators to consider a relaxation of competition rules or net neutrality for mobile operators? Or even to allow MNOs to share spectrum temporarily?
  • How can governments ensure that vital information and services are being delivered universally to all citizens, particularly in the developing world and outlying/rural areas? What impact will the lack of communications infrastructure have in these areas?
  • What technologies and solutions are being used to keep the most remote parts of the world connected?
  • What challenges are faced when maintaining critical communications infrastructure and meeting an unprecedented surge in remote broadband connectivity, particularly given current travel restrictions and its impact on logistics?
15:05 - 15:10
Setting the scene – Introduction from the moderator
Setting the scene – Introduction from the moderator image
Moderator: Johanne Lemay
Co-President, LYA
15:10 - 16:15
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion image
Moderator: Johanne Lemay
Co-President, LYA
Panel Discussion image
Brendan Carr
Commissioner, FCC
Panel Discussion image
Jeremy Godfrey
Commissioner, ComReg & Vice Chair, BEREC
Panel Discussion image
Aarti Holla
Secretary General, ESOA
Panel Discussion image
Ulf Pehrsson
Head of Government & Industry Relations, Ericsson
Panel Discussion image
Johan Keetelaar
Director Public Policy, Facebook
16:15 - 16:45
Have your say…

An interactive discussion and networking session – audience members will have the chance to take
the floor and give their thoughts on the discussions that have taken place in the previous panel.

Have your say… image
Moderator: Johanne Lemay
Co-President, LYA
Have your say… image
Amit Nagpal
Partner, Aetha Consulting
16:45 - 17:15
Virtual networking reception

An opportunity for attendees to visit our virtual networking lounge or browse the virtual exhibition area. Sponsors and partners will also host private networking rooms, and will invite participants to join them to continue discussions.

15:00 - 15:05
Introduction & Welcome: The impact of Covid-19 on Spectrum Awards and Valuation

A number of planned spectrum awards have been postponed or are in doubt given the current situation. This session will look at how plans in countries all around the world are having to be adapted and at how this is affecting the scheduled award and release of spectrum bands all around the world. It will also look at the impact that the uncertainty being created by Covid-19 may have on spectrum valuations.

 

  • What is the current situation regarding auctions and awards that had been planned for 2020 around the world, and how are plans being affected?
  • Will the current situation delay the release of spectrum identified for new services such as 5G/IMT?
  • To what extent could there be a possibility for regulators to re-plan future awards and look to bring several different bands to market at the same time?
  • What impact might this delay and the current uncertainty have on the value of spectrum?
  • Is there a risk that fears of reduced demand for connectivity or less willingness from consumers to purchase 4G, 5G or other spectrum related services, could lead to a drop in the value of certain spectrum bands?
  • Conversely, is there a danger that when we return to ‘normal’, treasury departments with flagging economies may see spectrum auctions as a good revenue generator and push up reserve prices almost as a ‘tax’ to generate additional revenue? What impact would this have and how can it be avoided?
15:05 - 15:10
Setting the scene – Introduction from the moderator
Setting the scene – Introduction from the moderator image
Tim Miller
Plum Consulting
15:10 - 16:15
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion image
Tim Miller
Plum Consulting
Panel Discussion image
Michel Van Bellinghen
Incoming Chair 2021, BEREC
Panel Discussion image
Frank Kruger
Head of Digital Society and Infrastructure, German Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI); Chair, RSPG
Panel Discussion image
Jan Engelberg
Senior Advisor, Finnish Transport and Communications Agency
Panel Discussion image
Luigi Ardito
Senior Director, Government Affairs, Qualcomm Europe Inc
Panel Discussion image
Nick Blades
Director - Regulation, Competition & Data Policy at Telefónica
16:15 - 16:45
Have your say…

An interactive discussion and networking session – audience members will have the chance to take the floor and give their thoughts on the discussions that have taken place in the previous panel.

Have your say… image
Tim Miller
Plum Consulting
Have your say… image
Richard Marsden
Managing Director, NERA Economic Consulting
16:45 - 17:15
Virtual networking reception

An opportunity for attendees to visit our virtual networking lounge or browse the virtual exhibition area. Sponsors and partners will also host private networking rooms, and will invite participants to join them to continue discussions.

15:00 - 15:05
Introduction & Welcome: Keeping the delivery of 5G on track

2020 was supposed to be the year that 5G hit the mainstream. However the world is currently closed for business due to Covid-19, with this potentially set to continue for a significant amount of time. Given this unprecedented situation, this session will look at the impact that Covid-19 may have on the rollout of 5G and other next generation systems, and at the work that is being done by industry, governments and regulators around the world to keep the delivery of 5G on track both during and in the immediate aftermath of the crisis. It will also examine whether 5G can actually be part of the solution, both for this current situation, and also longer term by helping to protect against similar outbreaks in the future.

 

  • To what extent are the challenges currently posed by Covid-19 set to delay the roll out of 5G and other next generation systems?
  •  What impact do operators anticipate the current situation will have both in the short term and the longer term?
  •  What can industry, governments and regulators do to mitigate the impact of the crisis and ensure the required investment and continued roll-out of 5G
  • What role can the telecom sector play in national economic recovery after the pandemic, and to what extent is 5G likely to be a part of this?
  • Are there ways in which 5G can help to treat patients and tackle the global pandemic, and could these emerging use-cases even conceivably increase the speed of 5G development?
  •  Can the introduction of 5G make the world a stronger, safer place and help to protect against situations like this recurring in the future?
15:05 - 15:10
Setting the scene: Introduction from the Moderator
Setting the scene: Introduction from the Moderator image
Moderator: Mark Colville
Principal, Analysys Mason
15:10 - 16:15
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion image
Moderator: Mark Colville
Principal, Analysys Mason
Panel Discussion image
Philip Marnick
Group Director, Spectrum, Ofcom
Panel Discussion image
Andreas Geiss
Head of Spectrum Policy Unit, European Commission
Panel Discussion image
Mohammad Shahbaz
Chief Network Officer, Huawei
Panel Discussion image
Maarit Palovirta
Director of Regulatory Affairs, ETNO
16:15 - 16:45
Have your say…

An interactive discussion and networking session – audience members will have the chance to take
the floor and give their thoughts on the discussions that have taken place in the previous panel.

Have your say… image
Moderator: Mark Colville
Principal, Analysys Mason
Have your say… image
Marc Eschenburg
Partner, Aetha Consulting
16:45 - 17:15
Virtual networking reception

An opportunity for attendees to visit our virtual networking lounge or browse the virtual exhibition area. Sponsors and partners will also host private networking rooms, and will invite participants to join them to continue discussions.

Select date to see events.

Session Format

Each of the events in this series has been designed to not only enable participants to listen to the discussions and debates, but to also have the opportunity to network and engage with speakers, partners and other attendees.

Each session will follow the same interactive format:

Tickbox

An interactive panel discussion with expert speakers, and the opportunity to ask questions and make comments using a live chat function

Tickbox

A ‘have your say…’ audience engagement session, where all participants will have the opportunity to request to be brought to the ‘stage’ in order to actively participate in discussions

Tickbox

A virtual networking lounge, with options to take part in one-to-one networking meetings, join private networking rooms and visit the virtual exhibition area

Event Platform

This series of events will be taking place using Forum Europe’s virtual event platform – Forum Vision.

Contact

For more information on any aspect of this event, please contact event manager James Curtin using any of the details below.

James Curtin
Event Manager
Forum Global

[email protected]

Tel: +44 (0) 2920 783 020