Conference Agenda

Morning

08:00 – 09:00

Registration and Welcome Coffee

09:00 – 10:50

Keynote Session - The importance of developing a coordinated and future-looking spectrum, policy environment for the LatAm-Caribbean region

Moderator: Enrique Melrose, Professor, Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM)

09:00 – 09:10

Opening Address

*via video link

Oscar Leon*, Executive Secretary, CITEL

09:10 – 09:30

Keynote Presentation

Mario Maniewicz, Deputy Director, Radiocommunications Bureau, ITU

09:30 – 09:50

Keynote Presentation

Karim Lesina, Vice President, International External Affairs European Union, Caribbean, Central and Latin America, and Trans-Atlantic Relations, AT&T

09:50 – 10:10

A perspective from North America

Mindel De La Torre, Chief International Bureau, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

10:10 – 10:30

A perspective from Europe

Juha Sipilä, Prime Minister of Finland ,

10:30 – 10:50

Keynote Presentation

Gabriel Contreras Saldívar, President, IFT

10:50 – 11:10

Morning Refreshments & Networking

11:10 – 13:00

Session 2: Setting the scene – regional and global spectrum developments over the past 12 months

This session will offer the opportunity to look back on the last 12 months at some of the big spectrum events (such as WRC-15), and ongoing processes such as the digital switchover and major spectrum awards and auctions.
Moderator:
Elena Scaramuzzi, Head Americas Telecoms, Media and Digital Economy, Cullen International

11:10 – 11:30

Presentation: The digital switchover in the region - progress and current situation

Istvan Bozsoki, Head Spectrum Management and Broadcasting Division, ITU
Randall Trevino, Senior Advisor, ITU

11:30 – 11:50

Presentation: Lessons learned from recent spectrum awards and auctions - An overview of success factors and benchmarks

Georgina Martinez, President, Auction Technologies

11:50 – 12:10

Presentation: Developments in satellite technologies and their use of spectrum

Fabio Leite, Global Spectrum Regulatory Policy , ESOA

12:10 – 13:00

Interactive panel: WRC-15 - New bands for the Americas

A focus on the outcomes of WRC-15, and particularly on agenda item 1.1, the candidate bands that were identified for mobile broadband (including 3.5 GHz, L band and others) Panellists will discuss the next steps going forward, including look a look at the options for re-farming existing GSM/3G spectrum for 4G use.


Héctor Bude, Chairman, WG for WRC-15 CITEL, Head of Spectrum Management Department , URSEC
Lasse Wieweg, GSG Global Coordinator, GSA
Veena Rawat, Senior Spectrum Advisor, GSMA

Afternoon

13:00 – 14:00

Lunch

14:00 – 16:45

Session 3: Maximizing the benefits of the 700 MHz band – Ensuring the available spectrum is released quickly and efficiently

Countries across the Latin America region are currently working hard to reallocate the 700MHz band and considering different models and options to award licenses to mobile operators. The Mexican approach, which includes the allocation of a 90MHz block of spectrum in the 700MHz band for a wholesale shared network, is possibly the most ambitious method being considered; and a number of variations on a more standard allocation model are being considered in other countries. This session will look at the current situation both in the region generally and in specific countries, and at the importance of ensuring that the spectrum is made available in a timely manner. It will look at best practice, and at how the needs of PPDR should be catered for; before finally looking further ahead and looking beyond the 700MHz band, to a possible '2nd digital dividend'.

Moderator: Amit Nagpal, Partner, Aetha Consulting

14:00 – 14:10

Introduction: Current situation and thinking across the region

Elena Scaramuzzi, Head Americas Telecoms, Media and Digital Economy, Cullen International

14:10 – 14:20

Case Study: Mexico's 700 MHz Shared Network

Fernando Borjón, Director, Promtel, SCT Mexico

14:20 – 14:30

Case Study: Peru

Abel Mellado Ochoa, General Coordianator of International Affairs, Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC), Peru

14:30 – 14:40

Case Study: Costa Rica

Glenn Fallas, Director, Directorate General of Quality and Spectrum, SUTEL

14:40 – 14:50

Presentation: Industry

Representative, Industry

14:50 – 15:30

Room-Wide Discussion

15:30 – 15:50

Afternoon Refreshments & Networking

15:50 – 16:45

Thinking Point... What next - is it time to start planning for the 2nd digital dividend?

Following on from the discussion in the last session, this conversational style panel will look beyond the 700MHz band and ask whether it is time to start thinking about a possible 2nd digital dividend in the 600MHz band.

Mindel De La Torre, Chief International Bureau, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Alejandro Navarrete, Head of Radioelectric Spectrum Unit, IFT
Paulo Ricardo H. Bauldíno, Director General, Asociacao Brasileria de Emissoras de Radio e Televisao; & Representative, International Association of Broadcasters

16:45 – 17:45

Session 4: Spectrum sharing: from concept to reality

Spectrum sharing offers the potential to hugely increase spectrum efficiency and increase the capacity that is available. With an increasing number of spectrum sharing solutions now entering the market both in Latin America and globally, this interactive room-wide discussion will look at the potential that some of these technologies offer, at what are the most likely to succeed, and at how their benefits can be maximised.
- What role can spectrum sharing play in meeting the future capacity demands of wireless technologies and how can its benefits be maximized?
- Which sharing options and solutions offer the greatest potential of long-term success?
- How can it be ensured that a suitable sharing spectrum framework is developed that safeguards both existing and new spectrum users across all bands?


Moderator: Jorge Fernando Negrete, Managing Director, Media Telecom Policy and Law, Media Telecom

16:45 – 17:45

Interactive Room Wide Discussion

Speakers to include:

Tarcísio Bakaus, Coordinator of Spectrum Allocation and International Spectrum, ANATEL
Robert Thelen-Bartholomew, COO, LS Telcom
Hector Marin, Senior Director Government Affairs, Qualcomm
Ricardo Martínez Garza, Representative, SCT Mexico

17:45 – 19:30

Networking Drinks Reception

Morning

09:00 – 11:00

Session 5: Fuelling the next wave of wireless connectivity: spectrum for 5G, IoT and future wireless technologies

09:00 – 10:00

Session 5i: Delivering Spectrum for IoT

In order for the huge potential that the Internet of Things (IoT) offers to be achieved, it is vital that the right spectrum is available, and that it is granted under the right terms and conditions. This session will look at how much spectrum is likely to be required and in what bands, as well as what the 'right' terms and conditions for access should be.
- For which aspects of IoT connectivity will 5G be critical, and where may 4G, 3G or even 2G be part of the solution?
- Is there a need for dedicated and harmonized spectrum for IoT, and in what bands could this be?
- What mix of technologies and solutions; licensed and unlicensed spectrum; and new and existing bands will best deliver the needs of IoT?
- Is there a need for dedicated and harmonized spectrum for IoT, and in what bands could this be?
- What mix of technologies and solutions; licenced and unlicensed spectrum; and new and existing bands will best deliver on the needs of IoT?

Moderator: Salma Jalife, International Affairs Coordinator , Corporación Universitaria para el Desarrollo de Internet, A.C.

09:00 – 10:00

Panel Discussion

Speakers to include:

Gabriela Manriquez, Head of Government Affairs, Qualcomm
Ricardo Castañeda, Director General of Spectrum Engineering, IFT
Mario de la Cruz Sarabia, President, CANIETI
Guillermo Jimenez, CTO Strategic Segments (GEPS) Latin America, Nokia

10:00 – 11:00

Session 5ii: Spectrum for 5G

Decisions taken at WRC-15 were designed to create a globally coordinated strategy for 5G, with a number of 5G/IMT candidate bands identified and put forward for discussion at WRC-19.Since then however, the US has begun testing 5G technologies in the 28GHz frequency range - a band not on the ITU candidate list, which suggests it will not support global implementations and roaming. All this leaves regulators in the LatAm region with a number of decisions on actions to take on planning for 5G and on possible band plans to follow. This session will look at these questions and more, and at the best way forward in ensuring that Latin Americans everywhere reap the rewards of 5G technologies.

- With no decision due on the 5G candidate bands until WRC-19, what should countries be doing before in order to prepare for this and ensure that they are not left behind?
- What are the respective pros and cons of either following the WRC-15 decisions for 5G bands or alternatively following the US and developing a unique regional approach?
- To what extent should decisions in this area be co-ordinated, and what would be the implications if some countries followed the international approach, and others went with the US model?
- Away from the millimeter bands, where else will spectrum be required in order to meet the demand for 5G, both in terms of providing the additional capacity and also achieving ubiquitous coverage?
- Which bands are likely to see 5G deployment first, and to what extent can requirements be met by operators refarming existing spectrum rather than seeking new bands?
- What scope is there for innovative approaches and cooperation between mobile, satellite and other stakeholders to address potential capacity challenges caused by 5G?
- What is the right technology mix to deliver the widespread roll-out of 5G connectivity throughout the region?

10:00 – 11:00

Panel Discussion

Martha Suarez, Director General, ANE
Veena Rawat, Senior Spectrum Advisor, GSMA
Jose Luis Ayala, Head of Government and Industry Relations for Latin America, Ericsson

11:00 – 11:20

Morning Refreshments & Networking

11:20 – 13:05

Session 6: Auctions, licensing and valuation

Moderator:
Soren Sorensen, Associate Director, Nera

11:20 – 11:30

Introductory Presentation: NERA’s Role in Implementing the 2016 Mexico AWS Auction

Soren Sorensen, Associate Director, Nera

11:30 – 11:50

Best practice in spectrum pricing and assignment

Scott McKenzie, Director, Coleago

11:50 – 12:10

Presentation

Jozef Svrcek, CEO, Specure

12:10 – 13:05

Panel Discussion: Levelling the playing field - ensuring competitive and fair spectrum awards for all

Spectrum auctions and awards in recent years have increasingly seen regulators introducing preferential rights and other specific licence conditions or constraints (e.g. spectrum caps). This can be sometimes in favour of existing rights holders or state-owned service providers, and sometimes, in an attempt to increase competition, in favour of new market-entrants. Regulators argue that this is a useful tool in ensuring the balanced participation of different partners, and ultimately a sustainable and competitive market, but at the same time, it can lead to accusations of the awards process being unfair and favouring specific groups. This panel will look at the best approaches when awarding licences in order to ensure a competitive and sustainable market, and at how it can be ensured that there is a level playing field for all.
- In what situations (if ever) should preferential rights and other specific licence conditions or constraints (e.g. spectrum cas) be used when awarding spectrum?
- How can it be ensured that pitfalls and dangers associated with this (such as reserved spectrum falling fallow) can be avoided?
- How can it be ensured that there is a level-playing field for all, and a competitive and sustainable market is achieved?

Raul Lazcano, Head of Regulatory Policy and Research, Ministry of Telecommunications, Chile
Scott McKenzie, Director, Coleago
Jozef Svrcek, CEO, Specure
Catherine Bohill, Director Spectrum Strategy, Telefonica
María Elena Estavillo, Commissioner, IFT

Afternoon

13:05 – 13:10

Lunch Welcome Address

Suzanne Malloy, Vice President Regulatory Affairs, O3b

13:10 – 14:10

Lunch

14:10 – 15:20

Session 7: Connecting the unconnected: Spectrum policies to help bring affordable connectivity to all

According to ITU figures, at the start of 2016, more than 250 million people in Latin America still did not have any access to the internet, and against this backdrop, the delivery of low cost and sustainable connectivity to all citizens remains a key priority for regulators throughout the region. Finding the right technology mix that delivers this in both an affordable and efficient manner is key to the solution, and this session will offer delegates the opportunity to hear from representatives from 3 key sectors on the role that their industry can play in being part of the solution, before a discussion on best-practice and the best way forward.

Moderator: Joaquin Restrepo, Head, Outreach and Publication Services Division, International Telecommunications Union

14:10 – 14:25

Presentation: Developing the footprint of mobile networks

Celedonio von Wuthenau, Director, LAT Government Relations, Nokia

14:25 – 14:40

Presentation: Whitespace and dynamic spectrum access

Amer Hassan, Principal Program Manager, Partner Engineering and Industry Alliance , Microsoft

14:40 – 14:55

Presentation: Connecting the 'Other 3 billion' - Spectrum policies for affordable conectivity

Suzanne Malloy, Vice President Regulatory Affairs, O3b

14:55 – 15:20

Room-Wide Discussion

15:20 – 15:45

Panel Discussion - Thinking Point... Illegal use of spectrum frequencies: tackling pay TV signal theft in Latin America

Pay-TV signal piracy is a multi-billion-dollar problem in Latin America and the Caribbean, with about 29% of the approximately 86-million Latin American and Caribbean households with pay-TV served by pirate providers. This conversational-style discussion will focus on the implications of this signal theft phenomenon for users, governments and industry, and the steps that are being taken to tackle it.
Héctor Bude, Chairman, WG for WRC-15 CITEL, Head of Spectrum Management Department , URSEC
Alfonso Lúa Reyes, Deputy General Counsel and Regulatory Affairs, SKY Mexico

15:45 – 16:15

Final Refreshments & Networking Opportunity

16:15 – 16:20

End of conference

**Speaker to be confirmed