Study Question 1.1 SG1: Networks

1
Study Question 1.1SG1 Networks

• Information Document
• On
• Sharing Infrastructure in Asia Pacific

2
What is Infrastructure Sharing

• It covers sharing of facilities owned by one
  operator with other operators and service
  providers e.g
• Co-location of equipment
• National Roaming for Mobile cellular users
• Sharing of Radio Spectrum
• Sharing of Ducts, masts, antennae, space, towers,
  etc.

3
Objective

• Assess the benefits of Infrastructure Sharing in
  Telecom Industry
• Collect information on practices and strategies
  being followed by different AP members to evolve
  a best practice guideline for AP countries
• Finally develop a common Regulatory Framework to
  serve as a guideline for the AP members

4
Economic Rationale

• By sharing infrastructure, the operators can save
  cost substantially
• Quick roll out of service through existing
  facilities by way of sharing
• Low prices for the consumers due to cost saving
• Economies of scale
• Reduction in environmental pollution and safety
  hazards

5
Situation in Developed World

• All developed countries, one way or the other,
  allow infrastructure sharing in the Telecom
  sector
• Sufficient Regulatory Framework exists in Europe,
  USA, and Scandinavia
• Some good examples can be followed to develop
  required framework for Asia Pacific

6
Situation in Asia Pacific

• We have consulted the documents available on web
  sited of Regulators in the AP region and also
  interacted through ITUs G-REX platform and
  gathered information on the subject
• A questionnaire was also circulated to the
  members to get their feedback
• Through these efforts, we could gather
  information pertaining to a few AP countries
  which is summarized on the next slides

7
Situation in Asia Pacific (Contd. ..)

• India
• New Policy Framework provides required policy
  guidelines for infrastructure sharing in the
  telecom sector for Co-location, and sharing of
  other facilities.
• No detailed regulatory framework was found
  available
• Pakistan
• Mobile Cellular Policy 2004 and De-Regulation
  Policy 2003, provide policy framework for
  National Roaming, Co-location, Interconnection
  and sharing of other facilities
• Regulatory framework is yet to be developed
• Singapore
• Infrastructure sharing in many forms has been
  mandated and Sufficient powers have been
  delegated to the Regulators to intervene in the
  matters.

8
Situation in Asia Pacific (Contd. ..)

• Hong Kong
• OFTA encourages the operators and service
  providers to share infrastructure where
  technically feasible.
• It has made a determination to provide a basis
  for charging for the Co-location and other
  sharing
• Philippines
• Rules and Regulations have been provided for
  co-location and other sharing of facilities
• Malaysia
• The Regulator has provided detailed guidelines
  for Sharing Infrastructure by the operators and
  service providers

9
Situation in Asia Pacific (Contd. ..)

• Nepal
• The competition is in its nascent stage,
• Regulatory framework for Infrastructure sharing
  is not yet available
• Sri Lanka
• The Telecom Policy provides suitable foundations
  for infrastructure sharing.
• Maldives
• The subject has not been considered in their
  Policy of 2001-05.

10
Situation in Asia Pacific (Contd. ..)

• Indonesia
• The Telecom Act and a number of Government
  decrees cover the subject. However, no single
  comprehensive document on the subject could be
  found.
• Australia
• The Telecom Act 1997 and Australian Competition
  and Consumer Commission Code of of Practice
  covers the subject to handle the issues suitably
  well

11
Conclusion/Recommendations

• Infrastructure sharing arrangements in Asia
  Pacific have not yet attained a mature format. In
  most of the member countries no specific
  legislation exists as per our very limited
  research.
• The concept, however, is quite important and need
  further pursuance from all aspects viz
  legislation/regulation, competition, technology
  and economic aspects.
• This document provides a preliminary research,
  which can be further broadened and upgraded to
  evolve a comprehensive and useful resource for
  the APT members on the subject in question.
• It is proposed that a new study question may be
  formulated and taken up to prepare a common
  Regulatory Framework on Infrastructure Sharing in
  Telecommunication Industry to service as common
  guideline to the APT member countries