New to the Global Spectrum Series for 2024, the inaugural Caribbean Spectrum Management Conference took place on 14 – 15 May 2024 at the Half Moon Hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica, kindly hosted by the Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) Jamaica, alongside CTU’s Spectrum Management Taskforce Meeting on 16 May.
Across 2 days attendees had the opportunity to be involved in discussions on the key spectrum topics for the Caribbean region and beyond, through interactive sessions, networking opportunities, an exhibition area and much more.
This event is part of The Global Spectrum Series. The world’s largest collection of regional spectrum policy conferences. Click on the image to find out more about the series.
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The Caribbean Spectrum Management Conference is new to the Global Spectrum Series for 2024. It took place in Jamaica as an in-person event, and has proven to be a valuable addition to the series! Take a look at the highlights video from the inaugural Caribbean Spectrum Management Conference.
Agenda times are shown in Eastern time (UTC – 5)
An introduction to some of the key themes and issues to covered in detail during the sessions.
Held at the end of last year, WRC-23 provided an opportunity for the global connectivity communities to come together to review (and where necessary, update) the Radio Regulations – the rules that govern the use of spectrum all around the world. Important decisions were taken on several agenda items related to IMT, satellite, WiFi, broadcast and other key users. This session will provide an opportunity to look back at these decisions and consider the implications for stakeholders across the Caribbean region. It will look at the next steps as resolutions begin to be implemented, and the key issues that will be addressed during the next four years as part of the next ‘cycle’ towards WRC-27. It will also explore how these issues will contribute to shaping the future connectivity landscape, both in the Caribbean region and globally.
The Caribbean region shows a variety of nations, cultures, and landscapes, each with its unique set of priorities, challenges and opportunities when it comes to managing spectrum. At the same, a coordinated approach to spectrum planning and management policies across the region and increased sharing of best practices across countries and states could bring huge benefits in terms of reducing potential interference and delivering a more integrated and efficient market. Increasing coordination in this way is one of the objectives of the CTU Spectrum Management Taskforce, and as part of this, work is currently ongoing to update the current Caribbean Spectrum Management Policy Framework, which dates back to 2008. This session will look at the unique challenges and complexities of managing spectrum in the Caribbean, and specifically of coordinating spectrum policy and band plans across the region. It will explore in detail the current spectrum policy landscape in the region, identify challenges and opportunities, and it will discuss strategies for increasing harmonisation, coordination, and sharing of best practices to maximise the benefits of spectrum for the region.
The path towards digital switchover has been ongoing for a number of years in the Caribbean region, with countries setting out plans for an ‘analogue switch-off’ as they transition to digital services for their citizens. However, several challenges have been stalling this process, and the digital transition has been a long and ongoing process, with countries in different stages of transition. This session will look at the current state of play across countries in the region when it comes to the digital switchover, and explore the urgency of getting this completed. It will look at the factors that have contributed to the continued delay in switchover and the challenges that still remain, as well as discussing the potential benefits that the ‘digital dividend’ spectrum that would be released could bring (particularly in the 600MHz and 700MHz bands). Finally, it will look more broadly at the wider UHF frequencies and at how regulators can ensure that the potential of spectrum in these frequencies is maximised and that the needs of key users in the band such as IMT, broadcast, PMSE and more can all be met.
The global space and satellite sector is evolving massively, with a large number of innovative new technologies and business models emerging. This rapid evolution brings with it a swathe of exciting new opportunities for the Caribbean region as well as the rest of the world, but also several regulatory challenges. This session aims to explore the opportunities, challenges, and regulatory considerations facing regulators in order to maximise the value of satellite connectivity across Caribbean countries. It will look at the different options that regulators have when making decisions on licencing NGSOs to provide broadband services and different approaches that are being taken; as well as discuss how best to meet the connectivity requirements of exciting new non-terrestrial use cases such as direct-to-device and HIBS. In addition, it will explore are the national regulatory frameworks related to ESIM and satellite connectivity spectrum allocation, licensing, and usage, including geostationary (GSO) and non-geostationary satellite services (NGSO). What potential can non-terrestrial connectivity offer across Caribbean states and communities, and how best can spectrum policy be managed to maximise the available benefits?
Hosted by SMA Jamaica
Entertainment provided by Sennheiser
An introduction to some of the key themes and issues to covered in detail during the sessions.
The 3.5GHz C-band, with its wide range of applications and services, holds immense potential for driving connectivity and innovation. Finding the delicate balance between meeting the needs of key broadcast and satellite services whilst at the same time meeting the growing demand for IMT services is key for all regulators. This session offers a platform for stakeholders to engage and discuss the different approaches in the band that are seen across the region, and the extent to which different countries are achieving this balance. It will explore the options that are available across the different parts of the 3.3–3.8GHz frequency range and look at how regulators and technology providers can work together to ensure maximum value is being obtained from this valuable spectrum, whilst ensuring equitable access and minimal interference for all users.
The 6GHz band is seen by the WiFi and IMT sectors as a vital component of meeting their future connectivity requirements. During the WRC-23, decisions were taken regarding the use of the bands – or parts of it, however, some questions remain about the optimal approach to spectrum allocation and the potential benefits of a regional harmonised approach, in particular for the Caribbean. With the US/Canada deciding to make the entire band available on an unlicensed basis, but with much of the rest of the Americas leaving options open to possibly explore a licensed regime in the upper part of the band, this session aims to examine the current situation across the region (and globally) as well as the different approaches being adopted and to consider which could be the best approach for Caribbean states.
The discussion on 5G or even 6G adoption is a trending topic at a global level, however, within the Caribbean region stakeholders are still assessing readiness for its deployment. 4G deployment across the region is still patchy, even in urban areas therefore creating a viable business case for 5G is a challenge, it seems that Caribbean countries have their hands full in maximising the already installed technologies. In this context, this session will look at the 5G pioneer bands in the region and assess how Caribbean countries might still be able to position themselves to capitalise on 5G.
