How to get rid of “white spots” in Poland? 5G private networks can be a solution

The letter was sent to UKE by ZCP as part of a public consultation on the so-called “Block 0” (70 MHz band in the 3410-3480 MHz band). According to the association, the Office intends to allocate it for the needs of local and private networks.

“We welcome the idea itself, because such solutions are already used in other countries, such as Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan. All these countries are more advanced in building 5G networks, so we must use their experience and apply best practices, “said Michał Kanownik, President of Cyfrowa Polska.

You need to act fast

ZCP urges UKE to launch “local bandwidth access as soon as possible, regardless of ongoing work at auction for blocks intended for national operators”. According to experts, delays that may or may not occur as part of the operator auction will not hinder the development of local networks.

White spots

According to the Digital Polish Association, the right to reserve all or all frequency bands only or at least preference should be given to local or regional operators. “It’s primarily about local government units or industries, as well as local investors,” explains Michał Kanownik.

Experts note a new approach to the construction of such telecommunications networks It will cover all regions of the country with 5G, thus solving the problem of “white spots”..

“Social and economic interest”

“Experience in both wired and LTE networks so far shows that building a network based on the involvement of only four national operators will be extremely difficult and time-consuming. First of all, it will cover the largest cities and communication routes that operators will choose as the most economically viable. As a result, areas with white spots at the broadband entrance and even without LTE coverage will not be 5G beneficiaries for many years to come, “the Digital Polish Association said.

If there is no organization interested in the pipeline in a certain area, it should be divided conditionally and temporarily until a local stakeholder appears.

Demand from companies and operators

ZCP shows this frequency assignment cannot be attributed to the administrative division of the territory of our country. This is due to the fact that it does not meet the needs of specific companies or operators. “For industrial 4.0 applications, this area will be limited to the factory, complex or zonal area. Similarly, a private network serving an airport, station or stadium does not require a larger area than the area occupied by such an object, ”the Association said.

Industry representatives cite examples of solutions used in Germany or the United Kingdom to substantiate their position. The first involves the submission of applications for local frequency bands for business, commercial and industrial facilities. As for the British model, it is based on an application for a spectrum allocation based on a specific area of ​​the enterprise’s activity, such as a postal code.

Catalyst for the development of private networks

In addition, the organization claims Frequency reservations in private networks should be shared on a common basisthat is, many companies can take advantage of bandwidth. “Thanks to this, it will be possible to optimize the cost of building local networks. Frequencies from the reservation should be allowed to be sub-leased, “the letter to UKE reads.

“The construction of private 5G networks in Poland will be an extremely important component of the whole new generation network. We know that many local governments and entrepreneurs are currently considering such investments, but are hiding their business decisions until a legal and regulatory framework is in place. However, we expect that the introduction of bandwidth reservation for local needs will be a catalyst for the development of private networks in our country. In both the local government and industry publications, “Michał Kanownik emphasizes. According to the president of the ZCP, the provision of services using the so-called frequencies Block 0 may be possible in Poland in the fourth quarter of 2022.

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