Impact of WRC-15 Outcomes
on Sub-Saharan Africa
Sarah Kabahuma
Introduction
• Radio spectrum are electromagnetic signals operating between 3 Hz –
3000 GHz
• Radio spectrum is key for a number of services- satellite, mobile,
radar, etc
• Effective use of radio spectrum has a direct correlation to economic
development
FCC estimated the value of 645.5 MHz is approximately $ 500
billion
 A GSMA study indicated that the 700 MHz band has potential
to create 21 million jobs in Asia Pacific by 2020
Introduction
• Sub Saharan Africa is
one of the fastest
growing economic zone
• World Bank projections
have indicated a steady
growth since 2014
WRC-15
• WRC is a conference that has mandate to make decisions on the most
efficient ways on use of radio spectrum
• WRC-15 had over 25 Agenda items.
Studies were conducted in the some of the following areas: Mobile and
broadband, Emergency communications, Unmanned aircrafts, Global
flight tracking etc
• Sub-Saharan Africa was keen to follow the WRC-15 studies with
support from regional groups i.e. EACO, SADC, ECOWAS, ECCAS and
ATU
Key Focus Areas
• This paper focuses on three key aspects with focus on Sub- Saharan
Africa
1. Additional spectrum for IMT services
2. C band Allocation
3. UHF TV broadcast band
Additional Spectrum for IMT
• 5G technology and beyond are a key discussion in mobile industry.
• Additional radio spectrum is a prerequisite to meet the demands for
5G technology ( future technologies)
• It is estimated that by the year 2020 the global radio spectrum
requirement for IMT would range from 1340-1960 MHz
• Agenda item 1.1 of the WRC-15 identified a number of candidate
bands from which allocation would be made to meet the global radio
spectrum requirements for IMT
Additional Spectrum for IMT
• The final decision that was made identified additional spectrum in the
following bands :
1427-1518 MHz, 3300-3400 MHz ,3400-3600 MHz, 694-791 MHz
Before WRC-15
885 MHz
New Allocation
487 MHz
After WRC -15
1372 MHz
C- Band Allocation (Battle for C- Band)
• C-band ( 3400-4200 MHz) has been primarily used for satellite
services. However wireless broadband promoters seek to break this
• The battle for C-band has been a long standing issues that has been
raised in past WRCs i.e.. 2007 and 2012 and 2015 was no exception.
• The band was identified for allocation for mobile services.
• Studies conducted indicated sharing difficulties between fixed
satellite services and IMT services in the C band
C- Band Allocation- Battle for C- Band
• 200 MHz of the C
band i.e. 3400-3600
MHz was allocated
to IMT on a primary
basis
• This was considered
a win- win situation
UHF Band 470-694 MHz
• The UHF band 470-694 MHz is desired for its suitable propagation
properties.
• This band is currently allocated to Digital Terrestrial television in Sub
Saharan Africa.
• Migration from analog to digital television had a deadline for 17th June 2015
to this band 470-694 MHz . This exercise is still on going in some countries
in the Sub-Saharan region
• Sub- Saharan Africa was against allocation of this band for IMT.
• The outcome decision was in favour of Sub Saharan Africa – the status of
470-694 MHz band was maintained ( unchanged)
• WRC-15 agreed to review the usage of this band in 2023
Expected Impact of the outcomes on Sub
Saharan Africa
Additional spectrum for IMT
1. Growth of the mobile industry
2. Thus Increase in GDP
3. Call for Policy makers to be vigilant and cognizant of the effects
of the additional radio spectrum e.g. spectrum auctions,
national broadband strategies, budget allotment, skills
enhancement etc
Expected Impact of the outcomes on Sub
Saharan Africa
C Band Usage
1. Administrations with Fixed satellite services in the C Band will have
to be on look out for interferences that may be caused by IMT
deployment
2. Depending on levels of interference the eventual usage of C Band
for either IMT or satellite will be affected
Expected Impact of the outcomes on Sub
Saharan Africa
UHF Band
1. Between now and 2023, Sub Saharan Africa will have to review the
actual usage of the 470-694 MHz band
2. The region will be required to articulate the spectral requirements
for digital terrestrial television
Conclusion
• Sub-Saharan Africa benefited from the WRC-15 through having its
interests meant through obtaining additional radio spectrum for IMT
services, having a win-win situation with the C-band and protecting the
UHF band for DTT broadcasting.
• Sub-Saharan Africa will have to evaluate these outcomes and determine
appropriate actions that will be taken so that the economic
developments predicted through effective spectrum management are a
reality in the region.
Reference
International Monetary Fund, World Economic Survey “Regional Economic
Outlook, Sub- Saharan Africa, Navigating Headwinds”, Chapter 1,Published
April 2015.
Tony Lavender, Paul Hansell, Iain Inglis and Sarongrat Wongsaroj “Use of
C-Band (3400/3600-4200 MHz) for mobile broadband in Hungary, Italy,
Sweden and the UK”, A report for Ericsson, Huawei and Qualcomm, Pages
1-6,Plum Consulting, Published in June 2015.
http://www.plumconsulting.co.uk/pdfs/Plum_Jun2015_Use_of_CBand_for_mobile_broadband_in_Hungary_Italy_Sweden_and_UK.pdf
GSMA, “The Mobile Economy Sub Saharan Africa 2015”, page 2.
www.gsma.com
ITU-R, WRC-15 CPM report, 2015, Chapter 1 , Pages 16-53