Infrastructure  Sharing  •  Challenges •  Opportunities

                                                       By: Mr. Kwaku Sakyi-Addo Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications

Conc

lusi

on

IS in

Gha

na

IS  Goo

d  Prac+ses  

Types  of  IS  

Introduc+on    

Outline

About the Chamber

•  COMMON INTEREST

Policy  /  Legisla6on  /  Regula6on  

Industry  Reputa6on  

Public  Comms  /  Advocacy  

Research  

Introduction to Infrastructure Sharing (IS)

What is Infrastructure Sharing (IS)? •  “mechanism for decreasing costs and potentially resulting in greater coverage, improved quality of service and lower retail

prices, whilst having a positive environmental impact and optimizing national scarce resources”

What is Passive Sharing? “the sharing of space or physical supporting infrastructure which

does not require active operational co-ordination between network operators Interconnection.” Eg: Site & Mast Sharing

What is Active Sharing? •  “this requires operators to share elements of the active network

layer including; radio access, nodes and transmission” Eg: RAN, Network Roaming and Core-Network Sharing

Types of Infrastructure Sharing (IS)

Site Sharing Mast Sharing

MS   shows   a   single   fenced-­‐off   compound   within  which   operators   will   install   their   own   access  infrastructure,   ranging   from   antennas   to   base  transceiver   sta;on   (BTS)   cabinets.   However,   each  operator   will   install   their   own   antennas   onto   a  shared  physical  mast   or   other   structure.   The  mast  may   need   to   be   strengthened   or   made   taller   to  support  several  sets  of  antenna  

SS   shows   solid   line   around   the   equipment   and  masts  represents  the  fenced-­‐off  compound  that  the   operators   will   either   own   or   lease.  Within  this   compound   each   operator   usually   installs  their  own  infrastructure  separately  from  that  of  other   operators.   However,   they  may   decide   to  share   support   equipment,   including   shelters,  power  supply  and  air  condi;oning.  

Source: GSMA

Types of Infrastructure Sharing (IS)

RAN Sharing

It   involves   the   sharing   of   all   access  network   equipment,   including   the  antenna,  mast   and   backhaul   equipment.  Each   of   the   RAN   access   networks   is  incorporated  into  a  single  network,  which  is  then  split  into  separate  networks  at  the  point  of  connec+on  to  the  core.  

Network Roaming

Network  roaming  can  be  considered  a  form  of  infrastructure  sharing  although  traffic  from  one  operator’s  subscriber  is  actually  being  carried  and  routed  on  another  operator’s  network;  •  Na+onal  Roaming  •  Interna+onal  Roaming  •  Inter-­‐System  Roaming  

Core Network Sharing

Deeper  level  of  sharing  which  requires  permiJng  a  partner  operator  access  to  certain  or  all  parts  of  the  core  network.  Eg;  Sharing  EIR  func+on  which  on  its  own  may  be  expensive  but  as  a  pooled  resource  is  aLrac+ve  

Source: GSMA

How can Operators Share Infrastructure?

Adv. Of Infrastructure Sharing (IS)

Cut  down  on  Capital  Costs  

Cut  down  in  Time  to  Market  

Reduc6on  in  OPEX  

Less  duplica6on  of  Infrastructure  

Network  Expansion  Increase  in  Coverage  

Decrease  in  Service  Prices  

Reduc6on  in  Visual  &  Environmental  Impact      

Increase  in  Connec+vity  &  Quality      Social  &  Economic  Benefits  

Infrastructure Sharing Challenges

Finding Right Balance btn competition and cooperation as sharing could lead to losses in

opportunity to compete

Decreased investment in infrastructure

Possible leakage of critical business info to parent host

Risk of Confidentiality

Breaches

Erosion of Competitive

Differentiation

IS Good Practices

Sharing Friendly Environment

Innovative Regulatory Policies & Strategies

o  Establishing Adequate Regulatory Environment that favors competition (based not only on ser vices, but infrastructure) for incumbent & new operators

o  Creating incentives to competition and investments (regulatory fee exemptions, tax regimes), in order not to limit infrastructure sharing to certain Operators or types of services

o  Reasonable Terms & Conditions o  Sharing obligations should not hinder

investments made

o  Commercial & non-commercial terms should not act as a barrier to sharing arrangements

o  Transparency o  Mandatory provision of info by Operators

o  Interaction with other sectors o  incentivizing sharing with players in other

sectors (specifically utilities) benefiting the environment, financial health and urban planning

o  Dispute Resolution

Legal & Regulatory Instruments for IS

Electronic  Communica+ons  Act  

Standard  Infrastructure  Communica+on  License  (Towers)  

Na+onal  Telecom’s  Policy  

Na+onal  Comms  Authority  Act  

Na+onal  Comms  Regula+ons  

Guidelines  for  Tower  Deployment  

Guidelines  for  Mast  Building  &  Sharing  in  Ghana  

The   Electronic   Communica6on   Act   of   2008  covers   the   overall   regula6on   of   electronic  communica6ons  services  and  networks,  including   the   right   of   access   to   facili6es   (i.e.  passive   infrastructure),rights   of   way   and  statutory  way  leaves    •   Operators   are   required   to   provide   access   to  other  operators  that  request  access  to  facili;es  or   public   rights   of  way   or   statutory  wayleaves  that  it  owns  or  controls  on  a  ;mely  basis;    •   Public   u;li;es   may   also   request   the   use   of  operator  facili;es    •   Nego;a;on   to   be   carried   out   in   a   non-­‐discriminatory   and   equitable   basis   and   prices  are  to  be  determined  on  a  cost-­‐oriented  basis    •  NCA  may  intervene  in  resolving  disputes  or  media;ng  nego;a;on  and  may  regulate  rates,  terms  and  condi;ons  for  access  

IS in Ghana

•  Active Tower Sharing •  Outsourcing to 3 key Tower Companies

•  Over 5,700 colocations (Dec 2015)

•  Active Fibre Sharing •  Commonly known as “swap deals”

•  Eg. Telco A provides access to Telco B in Tema and Dansoman vice versa.

•  C-squared project (1700km fibre btn Accra, Tema Kumasi)

•  Sales solely to licensed service providers not end users.

Ongoing Industry Dialogue on IS

•  Ultimate Objective •  Reduce CAPEX/OPEX costs

•  Enhance Coverage, Expand Access

•  Active Sharing •  Cure Low Revenue Sites •  eg. Leave 1 MNO, 3 Others Move on and Roam

•  Expand to Completely New Sites (Industry Plan 3-5yr)

•  Regulatory Support + USF Collaboration

IS & Tower Sharing   plays   a   significant   role   in   developing  markets  in  order  to  promote  universal  telecommunica+on  access      Tower/Fibre  sharing  and  outsourcing  models  offer  growth  paths  to   service   expansion   and   enhanced   subscriber   penetra+on   for  incumbents,  new  entrants  and  regulators  in  developing  markets.      However,  IS  has  its  challenges.  Industry  needs  to  clearly  iden+fy  the   path  most   suitable   to   their   needs   to   avoid   the   piZalls   and  realize  the  poten+al  benefits.  

Conclusion

THANK YOU!

Q&A