Global mobile Suppliers Association
Spectrum Group
Policy & Terms of Reference
Created:
10 October 2016
Version:
Revision 0.6
Date:
22 December 2016
©2016 Global mobile Suppliers Association
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1. GSA Spectrum Group
1.1.
GSA, among other objectives, brings together the global industry of mobile broadband community
through its website, industry interactions and general communications, by producing reports,
views, positions, information papers and carries out activities to advocate, inform, influence,
educate, explain and promote the opportunities enabled by mobile broadband systems &
solutions based on the family of 3GPP technologies. To support these objectives the GSA Spectrum
Group has been established to promote a harmonised approach to spectrum globally and
regionally.
2. Focus
2.1.
The GSA Spectrum Group develops spectrum communication strategies and plans, as well as
contributing studies and technical analysis, to facilitate the timely availability of spectrum by
engaging with national and regional policymakers with a particular aim to:
2.1.1.Gain consensus among mobile industry for prioritization and detailed frequency arrangements
for the spectrum bands identified for IMT under WRC-15 AI 1.1. Develop strategy and plan for
timely implementation of focus bands in leading markets where possible.
2.1.2.Prioritize frequency bands below 6 GHz not approved under WRC-15 AI 1.1. Develop strategy
and plan for timely implementation of these bands, outside the ITU-R and WRC processes.
Identify and influence key markets for each band.
2.1.3.Drive consensus among mobile industry around prioritization of the bands considered for 5G,
under WRC-19 agenda item 1.13 and other IMT-related agenda items. Identify and influence
key countries positions on priority bands.
2.1.4.Prioritize frequency bands for leading 5G deployments, outside the scope of the WRC-19
agenda item 1.13. Identify and influence key countries to facilitate the timely availability of
spectrum, carrying out domestic studies and technical analysis as required
3. Structure
3.1.
The GSA Spectrum Group is the GSA focus group for technical and regulatory matters of radio
spectrum pertaining to the successful evolution of International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT)
and associated radiocommunication systems. The Structure of the GSA Spectrum Group is shown
below.
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GSA
GSA Spectrum group
Chair
Global Spectrum Group
Coordina on Region 2
Coordina on Region 1
Coordina on Region 3
Coordinator
APT
Coordinator
CJK
Coordinator
ASMG
Coordinator
ATU
Coordinator
CEPT
Coordinator
RCC
Coordinator
CITEL
Coordinator
US/C
Regional
group
members
Regional
group
members
Regional
group
members
Regional
group
members
Regional
group
members
Regional
group
members
Regional
group
members
Regional
group
members
APT
Asia-Pacific Telecommunity
CJK
China, Japan and Korea
ASMG Arab Spectrum Management Group
ATU
Africa Telecommunication Union
CEPT
European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
CITEL
Inter-American Telecommunication Commission
US/C
US and Canada
RCC
Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications
4. GSA Spectrum Group Chair or the Chair
4.1.
The GSA Spectrum Group Chair (the Chair) is comprised of the GSA Spectrum Group Chairperson
and Vice Chairperson and is supported by the GSA President where needed. The Chair reports to
the GSA President and provides a quarterly update on progress of the Spectrum Group to align
with the quarterly Executive Board meetings.
4.2.
The GSA Executive Board, based on recommendations from the GSA President and Spectrum
Group members, appoints the GSA Spectrum Group Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. The
Chairperson generally serves for the full period of the ITU WRC cycle. The Vice Chairperson
generally serves for a period of two years or half ITU WRC cycle.
4.3.
The GSA Spectrum Group Chairperson is responsible for the execution of the GSA Spectrum Group
Policy and Terms of Reference (ToR) as instructed by the GSA Executive Board.
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4.4.
The Chair proposes to the GSA President and Executive Board the structure and organisation of the
GSA Spectrum Group Regional Teams as well as the proposed GSA Regional Coordinators. The GSA
Executive Board approves the Regional Coordinators and each Regional Coordinator usually serves
for two years to align with the cycle of the ITU WRC process.
4.5.
The Chair maintains a strong relationship with Regional Coordinators to build cooperation
between the different regions, to ensure a consistency of spectrum messaging and activity and to
minimise any overlap of work. The Chair is responsible for understanding the common needs and
requirements across the regions and provides guidance and direction where needed.
4.6.
The Chair solicits the Regional Coordinators to gain an understanding of finance needs in the
coming year and is responsible for proposing the GSA Spectrum Group budget to the GSA
President in a timely manner. The Chair proposes projects and activities that require GSA funding
during the year and agrees individual budgetary items as they arise with the GSA President as per
the GSA Finance Policy.
4.7.
The GSA President, as per the GSA Finance Policy, must approve any request for budget for GSA
Spectrum Group activities falling outside of the agreed annual GSA Spectrum budget.
4.8.
The Chair may suggest studies, research projects or common work items for the GSA Spectrum
Group as a whole or regionally. The Chair is responsible for negotiating and organising the
structure of common work relating to spectrum issues and any liaisons with external organisations
that may be needed from time to time.
4.9.
The Chair is responsible, via the Regional Coordinators where needed, for setting up and
maintaining the membership to external organizations and negotiating and agreeing any
budgetary requirements for these memberships.
4.10. The Chair will communicate externally and represent the combined global and regional views and
opinions on spectrum of the GSA General Assembly and present these views and opinions at all
times at events and meetings as required.
4.11. Reporting to the GSA Executive Board
4.11.1.
The Chair is responsible for reporting, at least quarterly, at GSA Executive Board meetings
and more often as required, the activities carried out within the Regional Teams and the
Global activities of the Chair.
4.11.2.
One week before the date of reporting to the Executive Board, the Regional Coordinators
provide the update of the work in the Region through an agreed form (the Regional Teams’
activities dashboard).
5. The GSA Spectrum Group Chairperson:
5.1.
is responsible for reporting to the GSA Executive Board meetings on activities and results of the
GSA Spectrum Group;
5.2.
implements the GSA Spectrum Group strategy and policy;
5.3.
keeps records of activities on a regional level with the aim of coordination, alignment, maximizing
consistency and minimizing overlap of work;
5.4.
keeps a record of all the GSA Spectrum Group members and their contact details;
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5.5.
should be prepared to represent GSA at high profile conferences of relevance to the work in the
GSA Spectrum Group if required to do so by the GSA President or the GSA Executive Board; and
5.6.
keeps the Vice Chairperson informed of all interactions that are related to the Chair activity to
facilitate the supporting role the Vice Chairperson carries out.
6. GSA Spectrum Group Vice Chairperson:
6.1.
is subordinate to the GSA Spectrum Group Chairperson; is selected to assist the Chairperson and
to serve as Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson, or when a motion involving the
Chairperson is being discussed. In the absence of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, the GSA
Spectrum Group Regional Coordinators will elect a Chairperson “pro tempore” to fill the role for a
single occasion;
6.2.
works with the GSA Spectrum Group Chairperson and Regional Coordinators to determine what
economic studies or spectrum related papers should be created and to agree what regional
workshops and capacity-building events should be explored;
6.3.
carries out other duties and activities as agreed between the GSA Spectrum Group Chairperson
and GSA Spectrum Group Vice Chairperson; and
6.4.
should be prepared to represent GSA at high profile conferences of relevance to the work in the
GSA Spectrum Group if required to do so by the GSA President or the GSA Executive Board.
7. GSA Spectrum Group Regional Coordinators
7.1.
For each region there is an elected Regional Coordinator, who reports back to the Chair.
7.2.
For each region one of the Executive Member companies is nominated to provide the Regional
Coordinator for the second term of the WRC Study Cycle.
7.3.
In the absence of the GSA Spectrum Group Chairperson, or the GSA Spectrum Group Vice
Chairperson, one of the Regional Coordinators will participate as acting GSA Spectrum Group
Chairperson.
7.4.
Regional Coordinators establish, maintain and generally engage with regional bodies to promote
the GSA Spectrum Group work and cooperate on specific spectrum topics where appropriate.
7.5.
Each Regional Coordinator establishes and maintains a list of Regional Team members including
relevant information for communications within the Regional Team.
7.6.
The practical radio regulatory and spectrum related work is normally carried out under the coordination of each of the Regional Coordinators.
7.7.
The Regional Coordinators are also prepared to represent GSA at regional conferences of
relevance to the work in the GSA Spectrum Group.
7.8.
Regional Coordinators are responsible for the structure and organisation of the Regional Teams,
for the work, studies and activities to establish necessary milestones that will enable the GSA
Spectrum Group strategy to be achieved.
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7.9.
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Regional Coordinators develop and maintain any tools for regional work, studies and activities and
develop regional positions on spectrum and radio regulatory related matters for subsequent
submissions to regional organization, relevant national administrations and policymakers.
7.10. Regional Coordinators are responsible for reporting regional work, activities and results to the
Chair and other Regional Coordinators as needed to minimise any overlapping of work activities.
7.11. Regional Coordinators will report to the Chair their budgetary needs as part of the GSA Spectrum
Group annual budget process including the need for regional specific spectrum reports,
sponsorships that align with or support the GSA Spectrum Group strategy or memberships that
would further support the regional work and activities.
7.12. The Regional Coordinators should be elected with an order of succession as to be prepared to step
in as GSA Spectrum Group Vice Chairperson or GSA Spectrum Group Chairperson in that order of
succession.
7.13. The Regional Coordinators should work in a cooperative manner throughout the Study Cycle.
7.14. The two companies, or the two individual Regional Coordinators, assigned responsibility for a
region can agree between themselves how to arrange and share the work over the Study Cycle.
7.15. If deemed appropriate, the two Regional Coordinators and the Regional Team members can
equally and jointly agree amongst themselves on how to distribute and share the Coordinators
responsibilities over the periods.
7.16. Regional Coordinators will solicit feedback from their teams on global GSA reports that contain
spectrum related items to ensure timely responses and transparency of communications.
7.17. All work in the Regional Teams is on a consensus basis.
8. GSA Spectrum Group Regional Teams (Regional Teams)
8.1.
Regional Teams are comprised of GSA Member companies (Executive Member and Member) and
will work in a consensus way to achieve the objective set out by the GSA Executive Board while
taking into account regional requirements.
8.2.
Regional Teams will engage with the relevant regional bodies and policymakers to promote the
work of the GSA Spectrum Group and advocate the GSA Spectrum messaging and position for
different frequency bands.
8.3.
The Regional Teams develop regional strategies and plans that align with the GSA Spectrum Group
high-level strategy and contribute studies and technical analysis to support the timely availability
of spectrum for mobile use.
8.4.
Regional Team members maintain a database of reports, presentations, studies and other
collateral on the GSA web site Spectrum Group portal to support open and collaborative
communication between the Regional Teams.
8.5.
Regional Teams will work to self-governance in equal terms for all participating companies.
8.6.
Regional Teams should provide timely feedback via their Regional Coordinators on global GSA
reports that include spectrum related items, when requested to do so.
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9. Period
9.1.
The GSA Spectrum Group Study Cycle (Study Cycle) will be in synchrony with the study cycle within
the Radiocommunication sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R). The
current Study Cycle is detailed in Annex: Spectrum Group.
9.2.
The Study Cycle is split into two half periods each of two years (the Study Cycle Term or Term), in
synchrony with the ITU-R study cycle. See Annex III: Spectrum Group Study Cycle.
10. Elections & timing
10.1. The GSA Spectrum Group Chairperson is elected for a full GSA Spectrum Group Study Cycle at the
beginning of the Study Cycle.
10.2. GSA Spectrum Group elections to determine the GSA Spectrum Group Vice Chair and Regional
Coordinators happen at the beginning of the Study Cycle. Generally, two Regional Coordinators are
elected for each region at the beginning of each Study Cycle. In each region, the first Regional
Coordinator will serve for the first half of the Study Cycle while the second Regional Coordinator
will serve for the second half of the Study Cycle. See Annex III: Spectrum Group Study Cycle.
10.3. Proposals for the GSA Spectrum group positions will be provided to the GSA Executive Board who
will review the nominations and agree the positions.
11. Participation
11.1. Participation in a Spectrum Group Regional Team is open to all GSA Member companies or their
nominated consultants.
11.2. GSA Spectrum Group Chairperson, GSA Spectrum Group Vice Chairperson and Regional
Coordinator leadership positions are open only to GSA Executive Board Member companies or
their nominated consultants.
11.3. If a GSA Executive Board Member company is no longer deemed to be a GSA Executive Board
Member it must relinquish any Chairperson, Vice Chairperson or Regional Coordinator positions it
holds and these positions will be nominated, approved and filled by other GSA Executive Board
Member company representatives as per the election process.
11.4. If a GSA Member company is no longer deemed to be a GSA Member it must relinquish any
Spectrum Group Regional Team positions it holds.
11.5. The Chairperson or Vice Chairperson may substitute for a vacant Regional Coordinator position.
The Vice Chairperson may substitute for the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson. If the
Vice Chairperson is not available as a substitute, the GSA President or a suitable nominee of the
President may substitute for the Chairperson. The Vice Chairperson or the President may
substitute for the Chairperson when a motion involving the Chairperson is being discussed.
12. GSA Spectrum Group Members
12.1. GSA Members and GSA Spectrum Group team will encourage companies to participate in the GSA
Spectrum Group work and promote membership of GSA.
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12.2. New member companies participating in the GSA Spectrum Group work will be given the
opportunity to access leadership positions where appropriate.
13. Observers
13.1. MNOs are welcome as observers, by invitation only, in the Regional Teams’ meetings.
14. GSA Marketing Team
14.1. The GSA Marketing Team is made up from members of the Executive Board and manages and
promotes the agenda of GSA.
14.2. The main focus of the Marketing Team is to support the creation of GSA content and agreed
marketing communications actions to support that content – including output from the Spectrum
Group.
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ANNEX I: GSA Spectrum Group Working Principles
1. Working principals.
1.1. All GSA Spectrum Group participants are required to follow the operating guidelines defined in
ANNEX II.
1.2. Derogation can be allowed based on specific circumstances if agreed within the GSA Executive
Board, Chair, or Regional Teams as appropriate.
1.3. Companies will need to apply reasonable flexibility to the implementation of the operating
guidelines in ANNEX II since work will often need to be carried out under time pressure.
1.4. The Regional Teams should work by consensus to achieve the objectives of the GSA Spectrum
Group and ensure an efficient and effective way of working.
1.5. Regional Teams should aim for cross-regional transparency and share material with all other
Regional Teams and the Chair via reporting or by using the GSA Spectrum Group web site portal
and informing the GSA Spectrum Group membership about the availability on the web portal by
email.
1.6. Regional Teams will be solicited for feedback from the GSA President, or a nominated
representative, on spectrum related topics that are included in GSA reports or presentations and
the Regional Coordinator is responsible for sharing these requests to the Regional Team members.
1.7. Global spectrum or technology positions will be developed by the GSA Spectrum Group and do not
need to be approved by the Executive Board. Decisions, messaging, presentations and submissions
can be developed and approved by the Regional Teams and do not need further approvals from the
Chair or from the Executive Board. It is up to the individual companies to ensure positions and
messaging overall consistency and adherence with the agreed GSA Spectrum Group strategy.
It is the responsibility of the Regional Coordinators to ensure communication back to the Chair, the
other Regional Coordinators and Executive Board as soon as approved by the Regional Teams in
order to facilitate overall consistency and transparency.
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ANNEX II: Spectrum Group Operational Guidelines
1. General Overview
1.1. The structure of the GSA Spectrum Group and the focus on Regional Teams has been agreed to
meet the following operational objectives;
1.1.1.
To be an efficient and agile lobbying group;
1.1.2.
Consistency of topic areas is to be maintained while still allowing a level of diversity at a
regional level to be responsive to regional differences. Consistency between all the
positions and deliverables is maintained by the coordination within the GSA Spectrum
Group companies, (i.e. coordination between all GSA Spectrum Members belonging to the
same company) and by sharing of information on the development of the positions and
deliverables with the GSA Spectrum Group membership.
1.1.3.
To reduce any bureaucracy that could impact the ability of a Regional Team to respond,
especially in the case of tight deadlines for submissions.
2. Global Spectrum Group Strategy
2.1. The Chair produces and updates the GSA Spectrum Group strategy document. This document
defines the Spectrum Group objectives, areas of operation and topics the GSA Spectrum Group
covers during the ITU WRC Study Cycle, taking input from the Regional Coordinators to outline any
regional variances and priorities. The GSA Spectrum Group strategy document as developed by the
Chair and is approved by the Executive Board.
2.2. Topic areas and issues may or may not be part of the WRC agenda for the upcoming Study Cycle.
The Executive Board, President and Chair make the decision on topic areas with input from the
Regional Teams.
2.3. Individual member companies, independently, address topic areas and issues falling outside of the
GSA Spectrum Group strategy as needed.
3. Developing a REGIONAL Team position/deliverable for INTERNAL use
3.1. Regional Coordinators, working in a consensus way in the Regional Teams, agree the topic areas
and issues for their region and taking input from within their own company organisations agree
what position or deliverables are required.
3.2. Regional Coordinators inform the Chair on their topic areas, priorities and positions, which are used
as one of the inputs to the GSA Spectrum Group strategy document.
3.3. An issue or topic Lead from the Regional Team is identified who is responsible for developing the
regional position and deliverables for each issue or topic area and proposes a timeline with clear
deadlines and intermediate milestones to facilitate contributions from Regional Team members.
3.4. The work on the specific topic or issue within the Regional Team is either original or is customized,
based on local circumstances for the region, from a position or deliverable, which has already
agreed and shared by another Regional Team or the Chair.
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3.5. The identified Lead engages with other regions and the Chair to ensure there is no duplication of
work on their topics or issues and progresses the work, in agreement with the Regional Coordinator
and with the involvement of the local Regional Team members and other Regional Team members
as needed.
3.6. Once positions and deliverables are agreed within the Regional Team they are shared with the GSA
Spectrum Group via the GSA Spectrum Group web portal and the GSA Spectrum Group
membership are informed about the availability of new additions to the web portal through email
subscription.
3.7. This output from the Regional Teams is for Internal use only and is not shared via the GSA public
web site.
3.8. The Regional Coordinators manage the above process.
4. Developing a REGIONAL Team position/deliverable for EXTERNAL use
4.1. The decision to develop an external position/deliverable is agreed between the Regional
Coordinator and the identified topic or issue Lead and other Regional Team members as required.
4.2. The issue or topic Lead creates or manages the creation of the External position/deliverable (an
external white paper for example) based on the global GSA Spectrum Group strategy document
(and possibly) using an Internal issue or topic position-deliverable, if available, as a basis for the
External output and proposes a timeline and intermediate milestones to facilitate contributions
from local Regional Team members and other Regional Team members as required.
4.3. Once the External output has been agreed the issue or topic Lead shares the output with the Chair
and other Regional Teams via the GSA Spectrum Group web portal and the GSA Spectrum Group
membership are informed about the availability on the web portal by email.
4.4. Once the External output has been delivered to an external organisation such as a national
regulator or regional body, the issue or topic Lead informs the GSA President of the External
output, who facilitates the publication of the content on the GSA public web site if appropriate and,
with the approval of the GSA Marketing Team arranges any suggested promotion and
communication. Publication will take place earliest 1 week after the GSA Spectrum Group
membership have been informed about the availability of the agreed External output.
4.5. The External output should be immediately uploaded by the Regional Coordinator onto the
“document library” within the “GSA Spectrum Group” private section of the GSA website.
4.6. The Regional Coordinator, in cooperation with the GSA Marketing Team may develop Regional
promotions and communications.
4.7. The issue or topic Lead shares with the Chair, Regional Coordinators, Regional Team members and
the GSA President a report covering the delivery of the External output – this could be a meeting
report, an event or conference report, an outline of a response for consultation, a report or
workshop, etc.
4.8. The Regional Coordinators manage the above process and ensure transparency towards the
President and Chair.
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5. Developing External Positions of the Spectrum Group position/deliverable for EXTERNAL use.
5.1. There is the need to reach consensus on External position and deliverables to meet the GSA
spectrum communications needs to organisations like ITU-R, GSMA, etc.
5.2. The Chair identifies a Lead for the development of External positions/deliverables, which can be
the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson, or any member in the Regional Teams, to develop the
External position/deliverables and who follows the process in section 4 of this Annex.
5.3. The Chairperson manages the above process and ensures transparency towards the President and
Regional Teams.
1. Consistency.
1.1. Consistency between all the positions and deliverables is maintained by the coordination within the
GSA Spectrum Group companies, (i.e. coordination between all GSA Spectrum Members belonging
to the same company) and by sharing of information on the development of the positions and
deliverables with the GSA Spectrum Group membership as outlined in section 4 of this Annex.
1.2. Consistency between all the positions and deliverables is monitored by the Chair and by Regional
Coordinators.
2. Reporting
2.1. The Chair reports the Global and Regional Team activities, positions & deliverables to the GSA
Executive Board, at the Executive Board meetings or more regular if needed.
2.2. The Regional Coordinators report the local Regional Team activities to the Chair on a
monthly/quarterly basis, depending on level of activity and the need to maintain good reporting
lines to the Chair and Executive Board.
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ANNEX III: GSA Spectrum Group Study Cycle
1. Study Cycle Outline
1.1. The Period for the current GSG work is in synchrony with the timing of the WRC study cycle, which
currently is from March 2016 to the end of November 2019. The Period will be split into two
Terms, a first Term and a second Term.
1.2. First Term – March 2016 – December 2017
1.3. Second Term – January 2018 – November 2019
1.4. The split in the Study Cycle Term will accommodate the rotation of the Regional Coordinators and
enable Executive Member companies to take a leadership role in the regions.
1.5. The changeover date for the Regional Coordinators will be January 2018.
1.6. GSG Chair, Vice Chair and Regional Coordinators for each region will be as in the following table.
The brackets indicate the company elected to be Regional Coordinator for the second half of the
Term.
1.7. Ericsson is elected GSG Chairperson for the Period March 2016 to November 2019.
1.8. Huawei is elected GSG Vice Chairperson for the Period March 2016 to December 2017.
1.9. The GSG Vice Chairperson for the second Term (January 2018 to November 2019) will be elected
before the start of the second Term.
1.10. Regional Coordinators are elected for the Period March 2016 to November 2019 as in the table
below.
Period
ASMG
ATU
CEPT
RCC
CITEL
US/C
APT
CJK
Reg. Coordinator
(Mar16-Dec17)
Reg. Coordinator
(Jan18-Nov19)
GSA Spectrum Group
Chairperson (Mar16-Nov19))
GSA Spectrum Group ViceChairperson (Mar16-Dec17)(
GSA Spectrum Group ViceChairperson (Jan18-Nov19)
(Ja9)
Nokia
Qualcomm
Nokia
TBD
Intel
Intel
Ericsson
Huawei
Qualcom
m
Ericsson
Qualcomm
TBD
Qualcomm
Nokia
Huawei
Ericsson
Ericsson
Huawei
TBD
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