Paving the way for Regulatory Innovation in the Wireless Connectivity Sector and beyond
The establishment of the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) by the UK Government marks a significant step towards advancing innovation and economic growth in key technology sectors. Among the various initiatives predating the establishment of RIO which support similar goals, spectrum sandboxes and Connected Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) testbeds stand out as powerful tools for helping to drive regulatory innovation in the wireless connectivity landscape.
Peter Kyle , the Science and Technology Secretary, recently described the launch of the RIO as a big step forward in bringing the UK’s most promising new technologies to the public faster and safely while kickstarting economic growth. He also stated that RIO will ensure UK companies are at the forefront of the next generation of technologies explaining that the RIO aims to speed up approvals, provide regulatory certainty, reduce unnecessary delays and red tape so that businesses and public services can innovate to deliver world class solutions.
The RIO falls within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) but looks at cross-cutting regulatory matters that span the remits of multiple Government Departments, including Transport (DfT) and Health & Social Services (DHSC). The announcement singles out a handful of examples, including CAVs, satellite navigation and communications. Wireless communication technologies and spectrum are key enablers for CAVs and navigation. Real Wireless has been involved in several collaborative projects testing CAVs. The AutoAir Project focused on future wireless vehicle connectivity using both mmWave and sub-6GHz wireless networks, aiming to demonstrate the ability to connect vehicles moving at high speeds and stream data between vehicles and fixed infrastructure at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. AutoAir could also be said to embody some of the same principles as the spectrum sandbox trials e.g. an isolated test environment to prevent the issues that would arise. if the same type of testing was carried out on public roads.
There is also emerging renewed momentum regarding railway connectivity, which our COO John Okas discussed in his recent blog. Beyond the most important question of “who pays”, regulatory innovation needs to be contemplated when considering the most practical, cost-effective solutions, from the use of shared or local access spectrum along railway corridors, to allowing multiple-operator traffic over private rail networks, local access spectrum, national roaming and to the permitted/ringfenced spectrum for railway applications (FRMCS) 1 This indicates cross-cutting regulatory considerations, across DfT and Ofcom.
Although not specifically singled out in the announcement, regulation of spectrum and communications falls within the remit of Ofcom and the DSIT. Spectrum sandboxes, in which Ofcom is heavily involved, can be seen as an early expression of some of the RIO principles and goals. They provide controlled, real-world environments for testing novel spectrum regulation concepts, approaches, methods and frameworks, that are not feasible under current licensing conditions. These innovative testing grounds align closely with RIO’s mission to accelerate technology development and adoption, reduce regulatory barriers, provide new regulatory insight, promote collaboration between all stakeholders and supporting economic growth.
The Real Wireless Spectrum Innovation Sandbox, one of three winners in the recent Spectrum Sandbox competition announced by DSIT, exemplifies how spectrum sandboxes, CAV testbeds and similar initiatives can contribute to RIO’s goals, namely:
- Accelerating Innovation. By exploring how different public and private networks and even different wireless technologies can coexist in the same spectrum bands, the sandbox can accelerate the development of innovative solutions that maximise spectrum efficiency, digital infrastructure deployment and adoption. This aligns with the RIO’s objective of speeding up the development and deployment of emerging technologies.
- Informing Evidence-Based Policymaking. Through practical testing, system simulations, and economic analysis, the Real Wireless sandbox will provide valuable data to inform future regulatory decisions. This evidence-based approach supports the RIO’s goal of updating regulations based on real-world testing and analysis.
- Fostering Collaboration. The sandbox brings together industry, researchers, regulators and policymakers to explore innovative spectrum sharing solutions. This collaborative approach mirrors the RIO’s aim to enhance cooperation between regulatory bodies and stakeholders, potentially leading to more effective and efficient regulatory frameworks.
- Identifying and Addressing Regulatory Barriers. By testing various spectrum sharing scenarios, the sandbox can help identify regulatory obstacles that may impede innovation by users of communication applications and in the wireless sector itself. This aligns with the RIO’s objective of streamlining regulatory processes and reducing barriers to innovation.
- Supporting Key Technology Areas. The focus on spectrum bands crucial for technologies like 5G, Wi-Fi and satellite networks supports RIO’s emphasis on key technology areas, including AI, digital healthcare, satellites, and connected autonomous vehicles, including drones. By optimising spectrum usage, the sandbox can enable advancements in these critical sectors.
- Enabling Economic Growth. The Real Wireless sandbox aims to assess how new regulatory options, such as dynamic sharing of spectrum, could deliver real economic benefits to wireless users and regulators. This directly supports RIO’s overarching goal of boosting economic growth through innovation in the UK’s technology and innovation sectors.
Although the potential benefits of spectrum sandboxes are considerable, it is essential to recognise the challenges they may encounter. These include:
- addressing the costs, complexities, and timelines associated with creating and sustaining extensive test environments and capabilities
- dealing with the lengthy regulatory change processes that can span several years
- understanding the risks associated with such changes in regulatory processes and identifying suitable mitigations
- ensuring equitable access to spectrum resources for all market participants
- balancing economic benefits with the interests of existing spectrum users and considering broader social impact
- navigating the complexities of economic modelling for these advantages
- developing a reliable, trusted, yet cost-effective spectrum management automation framework to support increased spectrum utilisation by a proliferating number of users.
- managing the emergence of AI in spectrum management and the associated regulatory nuances.
As the RIO aims to establish the UK as a frontrunner in global innovation, spectrum sandboxes will prove to be an essential resource in its toolkit. By providing a platform for experimentation, collaboration, and evidence-based policymaking, these initiatives can help shape a more agile and responsive regulatory environment that enables innovation and economic growth, while ensuring efficient and fair use of valuable spectrum resources by an increasing cohort of users.
The success of projects like the Real Wireless Spectrum Innovation Sandbox could pave the way for more widespread use of regulatory sandboxes across various sectors. This approach has the potential to significantly enhance the UK’s ability to adapt its regulatory frameworks to rapidly evolving technologies, ultimately supporting the RIO’s mission to make the UK “the best place in the world to innovate.”
Much like the adventures of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby’s characters in the 1947 classic movie “Road to Rio”, the sandbox is on an exhilarating journey to explore new frontiers in spectrum regulation, with many surprises and twists on the way to reaching its intended goal.
In conclusion, the RIO’s vision, reach and potential for economic impact are quite remarkable in their own right. Looking ahead, the potential synergies that emerge between the RIO and existing sandboxes and testbeds is very promising. As we move forward, it will be crucial for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers to closely engage with the RIO and the sandboxes.
Their work can shape a regulatory landscape that accelerates and derisks innovation, promotes economic growth, and ensures the UK remains at the forefront of technological advancement across numerous sectors, including connectivity. The team at Real Wireless look forward to supporting the RIO’s mission and we trust the communications sector will do the same.