5G Spectrum Sharing

1 What is 5G?

5G is the next generation of mobile communications technology and is being

designed to provide (in comparison with 4G) greater capacity, faster data speeds, and
offer very low latency and very high reliability, enabling innovative new services
across different industry sectors. The first wave of 5G commercial products is
expected to be available in 2020 although some “pre-5G” deployments are already
expected in 2018. 5G technology standards are currently under development, and will
include both an evolution of existing (4G) and new radio technologies (5G NR).

1.1 5G use cases

According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) who have defined

the vision and requirements of IMT2020 [1], potential 5G services and applications
can be grouped into three different classes:

• Enhanced Mobile Broadband. Together with an evolution of the services already

provided by 4G, 5G is expected to provide much faster and more reliable mobile
broadband, offering a richer experience to consumers for application such a virtual
reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) as well as cloud-based services. The specific
requirements are a minimum of 100 Mbps user-experienced data rate and 20 Gbps
peak data rate.

• Massive Machine Type Communications. The Internet-of-Things (IoT) – where

sensors. actuators, consumer electronics appliances, street lighting etc wirelessly
connect to the internet and each other. This is already happening on existing 4G
networks and the technology is being used in everything from smart homes to
wearables. 5G should help the evolution of IoT services and applications and improve
interaction between different platforms as well as enabling the vision of 50 billion
devices becoming connected by 2030. Possible future applications include real-time
health monitoring of patients; optimisation of street lighting to suit the weather or
traffic; environmental monitoring and smart agriculture. Data security and privacy
issues will need to be considered given huge amounts of data could be transferred
over a public network. We note that many IoT services are already being offered or
will be offered in the next few years over existing and evolved 4G networks, e.g.
using Narrow-Band IoT (NB-IOT), LTE-M or NB-LTE-M technologies. 5G, in this
area, is likely to kick-in by about 2025 where we expect to see the explosion of new
IoT services for which the evolution of LTE is unable to provide the required
scalability requirements.

Figure 1 Exemplar Use cases of 5G and their requirements [Source: Samsung].

 Ultra-reliable and low latency (URLLC) communications. This class is likely

to rely on the new radio developments, and includes services requiring a very
high reliability and/or a very low latency. Possible applications include
connected and autonomous cars and aerial vehicles, remote control of robots
in extreme conditions and hazardous situations and for industry automation
 (Industry 4.0), remote surgery and the so-called tactile Internet, as well as
some of the applications in the context of smart grids.

These different services have different requirements in terms of speed, coverage,

latency and reliability, which will demand different network solutions (the evolution
of existing network and potentially new networks) and different deployment models
(including many small cells), an appropriate network infrastructure (which will
include both fibre and wireless connectivity to the core network) and access to
different spectrum bands. Therefore, the concept of network slicing is being put
forward, where different slices of the overall 5G network infrastructure (including
spectrum) may be allocated to different types of services to end-users.

We note that, in addition to the above three categories, a new, and perhaps surprising
use case for 5G has recently emerged - the so-called Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) or
fibre-like wireless [2,3]. FWA refers to the provision of high data rate (> 100 Mbps)
broadband wireless access to residential customers and enterprise premises using pre-
5G/5G access technologies, including Full-Dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO),
Massive MIMO and millimetre-wave radio access technologies. The FWA concept
has been around for quite a long time (being known also as wireless local loop) but
only with 5G FWA has become a techno-economically compelling alternative to
wired solutions, such as next generation cable, copper-based G-fast and Fibre-to-
Premises (FTTP).

1.2 Radio access technologies for 5G

Unlike previous generations, where a new radio access technology replaced the old
one, 5G will integrate different radio technologies. Some of these will be the
evolution of already existing radio access technologies while some will be new.
Different service classes could rely on different radio interfaces. Evolutions of the
latest version of the 4G radio interface (LTE-Advanced Pro) are likely to be used to
provide a coverage layer via macro cells. A new cellular radio interface (being
developed in 3GPP under the name ‘New Radio’ or ‘NR’) operating at frequencies up
to 50 GHz will be used to provide very high data rates, ultra-low latencies and to
serve a very large number of devices via a large number of small cells. Low-cost,
low-battery consumption IoT services are likely to be delivered initially using evolved
4G technologies, as described in the Introduction, with a migration to 5G by 2025.Wi-
Fi evolutions will also play an important role for consumers, in particular to provide
5G services within homes or offices. In addition, it is expected that satellite
technologies will play a role in 5G, in particular for wide area coverage in IoT
application space (e.g. tracking of goods and vehicles), and also as a mechanism to
offload broadcast and multicast linear TV traffic from 5G cellular networks [13].
1.3 5G standards timelines

Figure 2 shows the latest (as of 25/06/2017) timeline of 3GPP (Third Generation
Partnership Project), which is responsible for developing a global industry standard
for 5G mobile communication technologies. As can be seen from this figure, 5G
phase 1 standards, which are mainly focusing on enhanced Mobile Broadband
(eMBB) with some element of ultra-low-latency included, are expected to be ready
mid-2018, with an initial “non-standalone” version of the standard to be released
already by the end of 2017. The second phase of 5G technology, which encompasses
massive machine-type communications and ULL, is expected to be ready by the end
of 2019, in time for the standard to be proposed to ITU as a candidate technology
which fulfils the IMT 2020 requirements.

Figure 2 5G standardization timeline according to 3GPP [Source: Qualcomm].

2 Spectrum for 5G

Spectrum is a critical component of wireless networks. It makes up the ‘airwaves’ that

underpin the communication services we use every day; such as mobile, Wi-Fi and
TV. The diverse set of 5G services and applications, described above, will require a
diverse set of spectrum bands, with different characteristics, addressing different
requirements, and combining both low and high frequencies:
 Spectrum at lower frequencies, and in particular below 1 GHz, to enable 5G
coverage to wide areas;
 Spectrum at higher frequencies with relatively large bandwidths below
6 GHz, to provide the necessary capacity to support a very high number of
 connected devices and to enable higher speeds to concurrently connected
devices;
 Spectrum at very high frequencies above 24 GHz (e.g. millimetre wave) with
very large bandwidths, providing ultra-high capacity and very low latency.
Cells at these frequencies will have smaller coverage radius (between 50-200
m) and it is likely that build-out of 5G networks in millimetre wave bands
will initially be focused on areas of high traffic demand, or to specific
locations or premises requiring services with very high capacity and/or peak
data rates (Gbps).

Figure 3 Radio spectrum for 5G and its uses [Source: Ofcom].

2.1 5G spectrum allocation

The 2015 World Radio Congress (WRC-15) agreed on a WRC-19 Agenda Item (1.13)
to consider the identification of frequency bands for the future development of
International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), including possible additional
allocations to the mobile service on a primary basis, in accordance with Resolution
238 (WRC-15). This involves conducting and completing the appropriate sharing and
compatibility studies for a number of bands between 24-86 GHz in time for WRC-19.
The compatibility and sharing studies for these bands are being carried out in ITU-R
Task Group 5/1 until 2018. This follows work in ITU-R on spectrum needs,
deployment scenarios, sharing parameters and propagation models which were
completed in March 2017.

Candidate bands identified for further study in WRC-15 are shown in Figure 4. It can
be seen that there are regional differences and in particular in the 20-30 GHz range it
can be expected that the 27.5-29.5 GHz band will be only available in Americas (as
well as in Korea and Japan) while other regions, including Europe, are likely to
converge around the 24.25-27.5 GHz range.
 Figure 4 Candidate frequency bands for 5G as identified in WRC15.

In parallel on the European level Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) has
developed in 2016 a strategic roadmap for 5G in Europe. In particular, the roadmap
identified the following building blocks for 5G:

Low bandwidth spectrum at 700 MHz; medium bandwidth spectrum at 3.4 – 3.8 GHz
as a “primary” band, which will provide capacity for new 5G services; and
high bandwidth spectrum at 24.25 – 27.5 GHz as a pioneer band to give ultra-high
capacity for innovative new services, enabling new business models and sectors of the
economy to benefit from 5G. In addition, A European Commission Mandate to CEPT
was approved by Member States with regards to the development of harmonised
technical conditions in two “pioneer” bands: 3.4 to 3.8 GHz and the 26 GHz band.

3 5G Spectrum Sharing

3.1 Sharing below 6 GHz spectrum

While above 6 GHz, large chunks of spectrum are expected to become available for
5G systems, the amount of spectrum in the sub-GHz and below 6 GHz range is far
more limited. The sub-6GHz band is expected to support important applications of
5G, such a machine-type communications due to excellent propagation and indoor
penetration characteristics while the first wave of 5G mobile communication systems
are expected to be deployed in the 3.6 GHz frequency range; here, in conjunction with
the use of Massive MIMO and Full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO) technologies,
100Mbps+ data-rates could be supported while also keeping cell-sizes sufficiently
large for viable deployment. It is, therefore of great importance to explore options for
sharing of these very precious portions of 5G spectrum.
Due to the quality of service requirements of the 5G use cases that are expected to be
supported, a very important option for sharing of these bands is the evolution of
Licensed Shared Access (LSA) [5]. In this approach licensed users, called LSA
licensees, can access underutilized licensed spectrum on an exclusive basis, thus
enjoying predictable QoS, when it is not being used by the incumbent, hence
protecting it from harmful interference.

3.2 Sharing mm-wave spectrum

Millimetre-wave (mm-wave) communications have emerged as a key disruptive

technology for both cellular networks (5G and beyond) [6] and wireless Local Area
Networks (802.11ad and beyond). While spectrum availability is limited in traditional
bands below 6 GHz, mm-wave frequencies offer order of magnitude greater
bandwidths. In addition, mm-wave communication is typically characterized by
transmissions with very narrow beams, enabling further gains from directional
isolation between mobiles. This combination of massive bandwidth and spatial
degrees of freedom make it possible for mm-wave to meet some of the boldest 5G
requirements, including higher peak per-user data rate, high traffic density and very
low latency. The use of mm-wave bands for 5G present a number unique features not
present at lower frequencies:
 Beamforming as a mandatory requirement: A common characteristic of
all systems operating in mm-wave frequencies is that beam-forming is
mandatory to compensate for the significantly higher pathloss in these
frequencies. For example, the IEEE 802.11ad standard supports up to four
transmitter antennas, four receiver antennas, and 128 sectors. Beam forming
is mandatory in 802.11ad, and both transmitter-side and receiver-side
beamforming are supported. Furthermore, specification of beamforming for
5G are expected to be finalized by 3GPP, as part of 5G New Radio (NR)
work item. Consequently, beams provide a common new dimension for
sharing of spectrum among multiple access technologies.
 Potential for “infinite” spatial reuse: Wireless communications systems
already rely on spatial sharing of spectrum and the entire concept of cellular
communications relies on spatial re-use of radio spectrum. In mm-wave
systems with the use of both transmit-side and receive-side beamforming,
spatial spectrum re-use can be pushed even further towards one-dimension,
with the footprint of interference from each transmission link becoming very
close to a line, rather than an area. In the idealized case of ultra-narrow
beams this would, therefore, enables infinite spatial reuse of spectrum.

Sharing with satellite services

FSS (Fixed Satellite Service) is the official classification for geostationary

communications satellites that provide, for instance, broadcast feeds to television
stations, radio stations and broadcast networks. The FSS uplink (from FSS to satellite)
is allocated in the band from 27.5 to 30 GHz, which is adjacent to the 24.25-27.5 GHz
band identified for 5G. Therefore, there could be potential issues with sharing
between 5G and FSS due to adjacent channel interference. Several cognitive
techniques can be applied to improve the 5G-FSS coexistence.

The coexistence between FSSs and mobile cellular BSs in the mm-wave bands have
been the subject of only few, and mainly theoretical, studies. Important new
parameters that need to be considered are how the interference levels could be
reduced by exploiting multiple antenna configurations by 5G mm-wave systems as
well as investigating the aggregate interference resulting from massive deployment of
5G systems on uplink FSS. The studies in [7, 8], performed in the worst-case
scenario of co-channel sharing, have indicated that, due to the use of beamforming
technology combined with the relatively short-range of communications in mm-wave
frequencies, spatial sharing is much more feasible than in the case of IMT-advanced
systems. In particular, even in this worse-case scenario the required protection
distance around FSS are much smaller (~1km as opposed to hundreds of km) than
those recommended previously. Furthermore, by using coordination among multiple
5G BS further gains in spectrum sharing can be achieved. These studies also indicate
that presence of highly directional FSS transmission can cause outage in the coverage
of 5G mm-wave network. However, due to the highly directional FSS transmission,
the outage region is well-confined (as is shown in Figure 5) and its impact could be
mitigated using a combination of null-forming at 5G UE’s and cooperation by
multiple BS to boost signal strengths at the victim UE.

Figure 5 Impact of FSS uplink transmission on the coverage of a mm-wave 5G

network in the worse-case co-channel sharing of 28 GHz spectrum. Coverage maps
are shown in the presence (left panel) of a FSS’s highly directional transmitter
positioned at the centre of the area. Left panel shows the interference scenario [8].

Sharing unlicensed mm-wave spectrum

A recent trend in cellular communication is to utilize both the licensed and unlicensed
spectrum simultaneously for extending available system bandwidth. In this context,
LTE in unlicensed spectrum, referred to as LTE-U, is proposed to enable mobile
operators to offload data traffic onto unlicensed frequencies more efficiently and
effectively, and provides high performance and seamless user experience. Integration
of unlicensed bands is also considered as one of the key enablers for 5G cellular
systems. However, unlike the typical operation in licensed bands, where operating
base stations (BS) have exclusive access to spectrum and therefore are able to
coordinate by exchanging of signalling to mitigate mutual interference, such a multi-
standard and multi-operator spectrum sharing scenario (as shown in Figure 6)
imposes significant challenges on coexistence in terms of interference mitigation.
Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) with listen-before talk (LBT) protocol has been
proposed for the current coexistence mechanism of LTE-U. In the case of mm-wave
unlicensed sharing, a major issue is that the use of highly directional antennas as one
of the key enablers for 5G networks becomes problematic for the current coexistence
mechanisms where omni-directional antennas were mostly assumed. For example, as
shown in Fig. 6 transmission by a different nearby 5G BS or WiGig access Point (AP)
may not be detected due to the narrow beam that has been used, resulting in “beam-
collision” which can cause even more excessive interference than in conventional
systems.

Figure 6 Multi-standards and multi-operator sharing of unlicensed mm-wave bands

in future 5G systems, showing also a beam collision interference scenario [10].

We note that such beam-collision interference scenarios can also occur in exclusively
used mm-wave spectrum as well. However, in such scenarios, centralised resource
allocation algorithms from 4G can be extended to include beam-scheduling among
multiple base stations to avoid excessive interference. In the case of unlicensed
sharing of mm-wave spectrum, centralised coordination is not possible, and novel
mechanisms need to be developed. Work in this direction has only recently been
started as part of a new study item in 3GPP 5G-NR which is expected to be completed
 in 2018 [10,11]. Various mechanism for sharing are being proposed, including
distributed and self-organized mechanism for beam-coordination [10], and approaches
based on spectrum pooling [12].

4 Conclusion

With industry standards for 5G cellular systems rapidly progressing and firming up,
issues and challenges related to the future sharing and coexistence of spectrum are
starting to take centre stage. Furthermore, there is a strong desire from governments
and regulators for efficient allocation and use of 5G spectrum. Therefore, given also
the maturity of technologies such as LSA, LLA, cognitive radio and mm-wave
communications, we can expect that spectrum sharing will be a prominent area for
innovation, standardization and spectrum regulation in the next few years and beyond.

References

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