INFORMATION TO APPLICANTS
FOR
LICENCES IN THE 3.5 GHz BAND
September 2006
…Shaping Your Future with Wireless…
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INFORMATION TO APPLICANTS
SPECTRUM ALLOCATION
INSTRUCTION TO APPLICANTS
CONFIDENTIALITY/ NON-DISCLOSURE
REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION
LICENCE FEES
LICENCE CONDITIONS AND DURATION
APPENDICES
Appendix 1 - 3.5 GHz Frequency Band - 1of 2
Appendix 2 - 3.5 GHz Frequency Band - 2 of 2
Appendix 3 – Jamaica Map
Appendix 4 - Applicant Declaration Form
INVITATION FOR APPLICATIONS 3.5GHz FREQUENCY BAND
1.0 INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
The SMA hereby invites interested parties to submit applications to be licensed to use portions of the frequency band 3400 MHz – 3700 MHz, referred to as the 3.5 GHz band.
Applications must be directed to:
Managing Director
Spectrum Management Authority
53 Knutsford Boulevard
Kingston 5
2.0 SPECTRUM ALLOCATION
Based on the level of interest being shown by the local telecommunication industry, the SMA has developed the proposed allocation plan shown in Appendix
1. It reflects:
- Two (2) blocks of 2x5 MHz in Band A
- Ten (10) blocks of 2x5 MHz in Band B
Note that the section of the band ranging between 3600 MHz – 3700 MHz will not be allocated for Point-to-Multipoint Wireless Access Services.
It is anticipated that licences will be issued for the blocks of frequencies shown in Appendix 1. Applicants may request an aggregation of 2x5 MHz blocks in order to satisfy their specific requirement. A cap of 2x25 MHz has been placed on the maximum amount of spectrum to be licensed to any one entity. Note carefully that the Technical Proposal and the Business Proposal to be submitted by the applicant must include sufficient information to substantiate the amount of spectrum requested.
This band will be licensed for Point-to-Multipoint services only. Licences will be issued for All-Island Networks, Metropolitan Areas only or Rural Areas only. Metropolitan only is defined as the Kingston Metropolitan Area (Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine), as well as St. Ann and St. James1. Rural refers to localized service areas outside the designated Metro only area (see Map in Appendix 2). Non island-wide networks must be configured to operate within and their signals be restricted to the designated areas only.
1 These parishes have been categorized as Metropolitan only based on population density.
3.0 INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS
All applications submitted for licensing within the 3.5 GHz band must include the following:
- A non-refundable Application Processing Fee of $30,000.00 (Managers Cheque)
- Particulars of Applicant:
- o Company Name
- o Company Registered Address
- o Name of Principal Applicant (must be a Director of the Company) and contact details including telephone & fax numbers as well as e-mail address
- o Name of Company’s Technical Officer and contact details including telephone & fax numbers as well as e-mail address
- o Incorporation documents including copy of Certificate of Incorporation and Articles of Association.
- o Completed Application form and Application Vetting Form for Spectrum Licence (Appendix 2)
- o Certificate of Good Standing from the Companies Office of Jamaica
- o Completed Declaration of Applicant Form (Appendix 3)
- Technical Proposal including:
- o The amount of spectrum i.e. number of blocks of 2x5 MHz required
- o A network diagram showing proposed points of presence (sites)
- o Frequency Channel Plan, including Reuse proposal
- o Indication of how the points of presence will be connected, whether by wireless or other communication media.
- o If wireless, state clearly the frequency being applied for if not yet licensed to use the spectrum.
- o If fibre or leased facility, state clearly the capacity and evidence of availability of this capacity from Licensed provider (such as a letter of intent)
- o Technical specifications of the proposed network equipment
- o Quality of Service Commitments (grade of service and data error rates). State the plan to achieve these
- o Evidence of technical competence (qualification and relevant experience) of main technical officers of the company to successfully operate and maintain the proposed network
- Business and Financial Proposal including information related to:
- o Proposed services, target market, geographic areas etc.
- o Anticipated number of subscribers for years one, two and three
- o Roll out plan detailing the proposed percentage population coverage after 12, 24 and 36 months. Regional (if so where) or island-wide coverage to be stated
- o Proposed date for commencement of service
- Copies of relevant licences which satisfy the requirements of the Telecommunication Act, 2000, such as Internet Service Provider Licence, Domestic/International Carrier Licences, Domestic/International Voice Service Provider Licences & Data Service Provider Licence.
4.0 CONFIDENTIALITY/NON-DISCLOSURE
The provisions of Section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 2000 shall apply with full force and effect to all information disclosed by applicants.
Applicants should clearly identify proprietary information by affixing the legend “CONFIDENTIAL” to each page which contains such information.
Applicants are deemed to have consented in writing to the disclosure of confidential information to all persons legitimately engaged in the processing of applications.
5.0 REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION
Applicants may request clarification from the SMA by contacting:
Director of Spectrum Engineering
Spectrum Management Authority
VMBS Building
53 Knutsford Boulevard
Kingston 5
Attention: Mr. Henry Batson
Phone: 929-8550; 929-8520
Fax: 926-1727
Email: hbatson@sma.gov.jm
6.0 LICENCE FEES
The annual fees as stated below include:
- Spectrum Licence Fees
- Regulatory Fees (charged for the normal operating cost of the Authority) would be calculated as 70 per cent of spectrum licence fees.
Licences will be issued with a five (5) year validity period. The computed charges would be as follows for 5 year licences, All Island, Metropolitan only and Rural only
| Total Annual Fees (J$) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| All Island | Metro only | Rural only | |
| 2x5 | 979,200 | 1,224,000 | 489,600 |
| 2x10 | 2,937,600 | 3,672,000 | 1,468,800 |
| 2x15 | 7,344,000 | 9,180,000 | 3,672,000 |
| 2x20 | 11,750,400 | 14,688,000 | 5,875,200 |
| 2x25 | 19,584,000 | 24,480,000 | 9,792,000 |
Consistent with the Government of Jamaica’s policy to provide ubiquitous access to broadband services, the pricing mechanism includes an incentive for the island-wide deployment of wireless networks, hence the differential in pricing between Metro only licences and All-island licences.
7.0 LICENCE CONDITIONS AND DURATION
Successful applicants will be provided with the Draft Terms and Conditions of the Licence for their review and acceptance prior to being licensed. However, we provide herein, some of the key terms and conditions in summary format for the benefit of applicants.
Licensees will be granted the right to use Wireless Access technology to offer telecommunications services to the public, subject to the terms and conditions set out in the licence.
The licence to be issued will be valid for five (5) years and is renewable in accordance with the Telecommunications Act 2000. Operators will be expected to use the spectrum in an efficient manner.
The licence may be revoked or suspended if the assigned frequency remains unused for 12 consecutive months.
The licence shall become invalid if the annual fees (spectrum licence and regulatory) fees are not paid. It is important to note that the Minister reserves the right to review these fees at periodic junctures in order to ensure that said fees are reasonable and reflect the commercial value of the spectrum.
The Licensee shall ensure at all times that all the directions of the Spectrum Management Authority are adhered to.
Successful applicants will be expected to adhere to in the terms and conditions of the licence. All licensees will be expected to achieve full coverage within five years of the grant of the licence.