Agenda

12:10 – 12:30

Opening Ceremony

David Luna Sánchez , ICT Minister, Government of Colombia
Mario Maniewicz , Deputy Director, BR, ITU

12:30 – 13:30

Networking lunch buffet

13:30 – 14:35

Session 1: Regional Work and Preparation Ahead of WRC-19

Moderator: Mario Maniewicz , Deputy Director, BR, ITU

13:30 – 13:50

Keynote Presentation

Franklin Merchan , PCC.II Chair, CITEL

13:50 – 14:35

Fireside Chat: Regional Preparation for WRC-19

A look back at the outcomes of the recent PCC.II CITEL meeting, and a look forward to the work that will be done in the build up to the WRC-19.
Carmelo Rivera , Chairman of the WG for preparation of WRC-19, CITEL
Allan Ruiz , Executive Secretary, COMTELCA
Hector Bude , Head of Spectrum Management Department, URSEC

14:35 – 14:55

Afternoon networking break

14:55 – 16:15

Session 2: Is Spectrum Policy in the LatAm Region Sufficiently Facilitating the Rollout of 4G?

Over the last six years, mobile operators in Latin America have invested more than $11.2 billion USD in the acquisition of new spectrum, mainly due to the licencing of the so-called 4G spectrum bands (AWS 1700-2100 MHz, 2.6GHz, 3.5GHz and 700MHz). Alongside the growing focus of regulators in now developing spectrum strategies for 5G, there is a strong need to ensure that a regulatory environment is in place that encourages this continued investment in roll-out and maintenance of 4G networks. This session will look at exactly this, and at how to ensure that enough spectrum is released now for 4G prior to the 5G launch in 2020. It will address issues such as licencing conditions, obligations and spectrum pricing, and at whether Governments and regulators are pricing 4G spectrum realistically. It will also look at the timing of release of 4G spectrum and at when and how much should be released.
• What are the key considerations that regulators should be taking into account when licencing and awarding spectrum in order to encourage investment and innovation?
• How can Governments and regulators ensure that they are setting realistic spectrum prices and valuations?
• How important is regulatory predictability in encouraging the large investments required for the roll out and maintenance of 4G networks and how can this be achieved?
• When should regulators be looking to release additional 4G spectrum, and in which bands?
• How much should be made available and should they be looking to hold any back?
•How can regulators balance the need for spectrum for 4G with also looking ahead and planning for the roll-out of 5G?
• In what cases (if ever) can licencing constraints and obligations be a useful tool, and how can it be ensured that these don’t negatively impact investment?

Moderator: Pierre Blanc , Partner, Aetha Consulting

14:55 – 15:10

Presentation: Valuing and Pricing 4G and the Evolution of 5G Spectrum

Graham Friend , Managing Director, Coleago

15:10 – 15:25

Presentation

Agostinho Linhares , Manager of Spectrum, Orbit and Broadcasting Division, ANATEL

15:25 – 15:40

Presentation: From 4G to 5G evolution: Ensuring the required infrastructure is in place

Kevin Murray , Senior Director, Engineering, Qualcomm

15:40 – 15:55

Presentation

Eduardo Chomali , Regional Director, ASIET

15:55 – 16:10

Panel Discussion

Graham Friend , Managing Director, Coleago
Agostinho Linhares , Manager of Spectrum, Orbit and Broadcasting Division, ANATEL
Eduardo Chomali , Regional Director, ASIET
Kevin Murray , Senior Director, Engineering, Qualcomm

16:10 – 17:40

Thinking Point... Continuing Progress Towards Universal Coverage

This short discussion point will follow on from the last session and ask the role that 4G has to play in delivering universal coverage, as well as bringing in speakers from other technology who are likely to play a role in connecting the unconnected.

Moderator: Pierre Blanc , Partner, Aetha Consulting

16:10 – 17:40

Panel Discussion

Cesar Ivan Acero , Regulatory Manager, Telefonica
Suzanne Malloy , VP Regulatory Affairs, O3b Networks
Celedonio von Wuthenau , Director, LAT Government Relations, Nokia

17:40 – 19:00

Cocktail and Networking Reception

08:30 – 09:00

Breakfast and Registration

09:00 – 10:50

Session 3: Spectrum for 5G - Developing National Plans and Meeting the Challenges of Finding the Required Capacity

All around the Latin Americas region (and the rest of the world), countries are starting to develop national plans for the launch and rollout of 5G services. This session will look at what Governments and regulators need to be doing now to ensure that the infrastructure and planning are in place and ready when the market is ready for 5G. It will focus on initial 5G rollout and on whether Latin America and Caribbean countries should follow the lead of US/Japan/South Korea in using the 28GHz band as their pioneer band, or should they align with the bands shortlisted at WRC-15. It will also look at spectrum below the millimeter frequency bands, at how much is requires (and in which bands) in order to meet the requirements of different vertical sectors, and how it can be released.

Moderator: Robert Thelen-Bartholomew , Business Development Consultant, LS Telcom AG

09:00 – 09:15

Introduction from Moderator: What do Countries Need to be Doing Now to Plan for 5G?

Robert Thelen-Bartholomew , Business Development Consultant, LS telcom

09:15 – 09:30

Presentation

Jose Ayala , Head of Government and Industry Relations for Latin America, Ericsson

09:30 – 10:50

Panel Discussion

Martha Suarez Peñaloza , Director General, ANE
Gilles Brégant , Director, ANFR France
Alejandra Ornes , Global Spectrum Policy, ESOA
Lucas Gallitto , Public Policy Director LatAm, GSMA
Jose Ayala , Head of Government and Industry Relations for Latin America, Ericsson

10:50 – 11:15

Morning networking break

11:15 – 14:50

Session 4: The UHF Band

11:15 – 12:30

Session 4i: The 600MHz Band

The incentive auction in the US finally reached a conclusion earlier this year, with the clearance of the 600 MHz band now set to start shortly and be complete by 2020. This session will look at the outcomes of the incentive auction and the new shape of the 600MHz and other bands in the US. It will look at what this may mean for the Latin Americas region, what challenges would need to be overcome in order to clear the 600MHz band, and whether it is likely that countries here will follow the US lead or go their own way in developing a strategy around this key band.
• What bandplan has emerged in the US following the incentive auction, and how does this fit in with the current global picture in the 600MHz band?
• Could this open up the potential for a harmonized 600 MHz band across the Americas, or even globally?
• To what extent is it time to start thinking about a possible 2nd digital dividend in the 600MHz band? Should countries across the Americas region be looking to follow the US approach or developing their own strategies and bandplan options?
• What challenges need to be overcome if the 600MHz band is to be cleared in the LatAm region and what timescale would be realistic for this?
• What wider implications may this have for the future of both broadcasting and mobile across the region?

Moderator: Carolina Limbatto , Senior Analyst, Americas, Cullen International

11:15 – 11:30

Introductory Presentation

Michael O'Rielly , Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

11:30 – 12:30

Panel Discussion

Istvan Bozsoki , Head of Spectrum Management and Broadcasting Division, ITU
Hector Bude , Head of Spectrum Management Department, URSEC
Brett Tarnutzer , Head of Spectrum, GSMA
Thomas Sullivan , Chief, International Bureau, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Ricardo Castañeda , Director General of Spectrum Engineering, IFT

12:30 – 13:30

Networking lunch buffet

13:30 – 14:30

Session 4ii: The 700 MHz Band

With the clearing of the 700Mhz band continuing across the region and national plans for the award and future shape of the band emerging, this session will provide an update of the progress and current situation. With the deal now signed on Red Compartida in Mexico, it will examine the progress and next steps as the project to deliver the world’s largest open access network continues, as well as looking at how potential interference issues in the band (including at border areas) can be handled. And finally, it will focus on the situation in Colombia, where the award process for the 700MHz band is currently being designed and planned.

Moderator: Carolina Limbatto , Senior Analyst, Americas, Cullen International

13:30 – 13:50

Presentation: Clearing and Reallocating the 700MHz Band - Progress Made and Approaches Seen Across the Region

Carolina Limbatto , Senior Analyst, Americas, Cullen International

13:50 – 14:10

Case Study: Peru

Wilmer Azurza Neyra , Technical Advisor, Research on Spectrum Issues, Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) of Peru

14:10 – 14:50

Focus On...Plans for Awarding the MHz Band in Colombia

Nicolás Silva , Director of Industry Direction, MinTic
Santiago Pardo Fajardo , Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Industry Relations, Claro

14:50 – 15:10

Afternoon networking break

15:10 – 16:20

Session 5: Spectrum Auctions and Awards

Moderator: Graham Friend , Managing Director, Coleago

15:10 – 15:50

Experts Corner - Best Practice in Spectrum Awards and Valuation for Competitive, Sustainable and Innovative Market

15:10 – 15:30

Presentation: Sizing up broadcast vs mobile spectrum - did the US 600MHz Incentive Auction Deliver an Equilibrium?

Roman Rabinovich , Senior Director, FTI Consulting

15:30 – 15:50

Presentation

Jozef Svrcek , Director, Specure Auctions

15:50 – 16:10

Focus on… Refarming of the 2.5GHz band in Argentina

Hector Huici , Secretary of Information Technology and Communications, Ministry of Communications, Argentina

16:10 – 17:35

Session 6: Meeting the Challenges of Managing Spectrum in Caribbean and Smaller Central American Countries

Managing spectrum in smaller regulatory authorities and markets such as those often seen in the Caribbean and Central Americas regions can throw up a number of unique and complex challenges. Relatively small teams are faced with tasks such as dealing with the fast pace of change in the sector, managing interference, developing strategies that encourages competition and innovation, and having to follow the lead of larger markets or otherwise face increased costs caused by a lack of economy of scale. This session will offer the opportunity for experts and regulatory representatives from the region discuss these issues and more, and look at the best way forward in smaller countries for a successful and sustainable spectrum framework.
• What unique challenges and opportunities faced by regulators face when managing spectrum in the smaller markets often seen in the Caribbean and central American region, and how can these be tackled?
• How important is harmonization and co-ordination and what benefits can this bring?
• Is the development a single ICT market a realistic possibility for either region and what benefits would this bring?
• How can regulators in Caribbean and Central American countries best balance the need to achieve economies of scale with the benefits of developing customized band plans and spectrum strategies designed specifically for the needs of their country?
• What approaches can be used to ensure competition and innovation in countries with smaller markets that often can’t sustain more than 2 or 3 players?

Moderator: Joaquin Restrepo , Head of Outreach and Publication Services Division (OPS), ITU Regional Office for Americas

16:10 – 16:20

Introductory Presentation

Melesia Sutherland , Director, CANTO

16:20 – 17:35

Panel Discussion

Allan Ruiz , Executive Secretary, COMTELCA
Melesia Sutherland , Director, CANTO
Nigel Cassimire , Telecom Specialist, Caribbean Telecommunications Union
Glenn Fallas , Director General of Quality and Spectrum, SUTEL, Costa Rica

17:35 – 17:40

Closing Remarks and Conclusions

Martha Suarez Peñaloza , Director General, ANE