July 2021

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Recent Events

The 33rd APT Standardization Program Forum (ASTAP-33)

7 - 11 June 2021, Virtual Meeting

The 33rd APT Standardization Program Forum (ASTAP-33) was held virtually from 7 to 11 June 2021. The meeting was attended by 189 participants from APT Members, Affiliate Members, and International Organizations.

The ASTAP-33 commenced on 7 June 2021 with the Industry Workshop on “5G & Emergency-communications” which was attended by 142 participants. The workshop conducted two sessions on 5G and Emergency-communications and included ten presentations from P.R. China, Japan, Republic of Korea, and Thailand.

The ASTAP-33 finalized 8 new APT Report, 2 revised APT Report, and 2 Liaison Statement to ITU-T and ITU-D. The meeting also revised the Work Plan and Terms of Reference of three Working Groups of ASTAP.

The next meeting of ASTAP (ASTAP-34) will be held next year and feature a one-day Workshop combining Industry Workshop and Standardization Workshop to be held prior to the ASTAP-34.

Click here for more details.

APT Web Dialogue “Spectrum Management: Key Issues and challenges in relation to the allocation and licensing of spectrum for 5G
(SM01-01)” : 16 June 2021

This first web dialogue in the Spectrum Management series was a big success with active participation of over 160 APT members.

The speaker, Mr. Scott W. Minehane, Managing Director of Windsor Place Consulting and a well-known expert with in-depth knowledge on the topic, provided extensive information on key issues and challenges in various spectrum bands identified for 5G, covering Optimal spectrum bands for 5G–low band, mid-band and high-band; Provision of 5G in legacy bands – DSS; need for larger contiguous blocks of spectrum consistent with 5G NR; as well as Questions including technology neutrality, Need for a separate 5G license?; Need for co-ordination with spectrum used for other services–satellite, broadcasting etc.; Examining shared/non-licensed IMT spectrum, and addressing COVID-19 pressures.

For detailed information about the upcoming APT Web Dialogues, please visit https://aptwebdialogue.site/home.

APT Web Dialogue  “Spectrum Management: Exploring key regulatory strategy and policy issues (including roadmap) in relation to 5G spectrum (SM01-02)”: 30 June 2021

Following the previous episode (SM01-01), this episode of the APT Web Dialogue on Spectrum Management series tried to find out the strategies to address the challenges of allocation and identification of spectrum for 5G and how to develop a roadmap to address the spectrum demand for 5G.  

The web dialogue was actively attended by over 150 APT members. The speaker, Mr. Scott W. Minehane, shared information and views on topics including Need to undertake re-farming to ensure 5G spectrum availability e.g. C-Band, 700 MHz; Making spectrum available for 5G as part of IMT Spectrum Roadmap Ensuring 5G competition – SWNs, infrastructure sharing, etc.; Possible license conditions applying to 5G spectrum – coverage, QoS, etc.; TDD spectrum – need for synchronisation and determined frame structures; What does making spectrum available for 5G mean for legacy 2G/3G switch-off?; Possible reservations of spectrum for enterprises/private 5G networks?; and Ensuring 5G handset availability and affordability.

For detailed information about the upcoming APT Web Dialogue, please visit https://aptwebdialogue.site/home.

The 1st Meeting of the APT Preparatory Group for PP-22 (APT PP22-1)

1 July 2021, Virtual Meeting

The 1st Meeting of the APT Preparatory Group for PP-22 (APT PP22-1) was held virtually on 1 July 2021. The meeting was attended by 118 participants from APT Members, Affiliate Members, and International Organizations.

The meeting elected Ms. Caroline Greenway (Papua New Guinea) as Chairman of APT Preparatory Group for PP-22, and elected Mr. Tang Zicai (People’s Republic of China), Mr. Alireza Darvishi (Islamic Republic of Iran), and Mr. Sung Joon Choi (Republic of Korea) as Vice-Chairmen of APT Preparatory Group of PP-22. The meeting also appointed Office Bearers for Working Groups of APT PP-22.

The meeting finalized the Structure, Working Method and Work Plan for the APT Preparatory Group for PP-22. The 2nd Meeting of the APT Preparatory Group for PP-22 (APT PP22-2) will be held during Jan/Feb 2022.

Click here for more details.

APT Web Dialogue “Blockchain Trends and Potential to Boost Business Integrity and SMEs (tech02)” : 5 July 2021

APT, in collaboration with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), organized this second episode of the web dialogue under Technology topic to create a comprehensive understanding of Blockchain technology and possible applications to utilize for business units and organizations. The web dialogue was attended by 97 participants from APT members and others.

The speaker, Mr. Iwan Spillebeen, Co-founder, Abalon Labs, provided in-dept information on the topics including Blockchain overview, blockchain vs cryptocurrency, private vs decentralized – choosing a blockchain solution, blockchain & industrial transformation, practical uses of blockchain – tamper-proof mail-in voting and electronic ballots, seamless end-to-end global trade, instant identification validation, and digitized package verification. 

For detailed information about the upcoming APT Web Dialogues, please visit https://aptwebdialogue.site/home.

Upcoming Events

The 21st APT Policy and Regulatory Forum (PRF-21)

19 - 21 July 2021, Virtual Meeting

The PRF-21 will address issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to Pillars of the Strategic Plan of the APT for 2021-2023. PRF-21 will consist of a special Ministerial Session from APT Member Administrations to share insights, experiences, lessons learned, policies being implemented in their countries with regard to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and digital transformation. 

The Forum will also include a special roundtable session among Head of Regulators to share their experiences as well as engage in dialogue to identify the challenging issues and how to enhance cooperation between regulators/policymakers to smoothen the deployment of 5G in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, the Forum will have a business dialogue session which intends to provide a platform for industry representatives to share their views on the strategies to accelerate 5G deployment as well as thematic sessions on OTT and Digital Economy.

APT Web Dialogue “COVID-19 and Cybersecurity:
what's happening and how to respond (policy01)”

21 July 2021, 13:00-14:30 hrs. (Bangkok Time)

Under the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, there are significant changes in the cybersecurity scenes. This APT Web Dialogue focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in cybersecurity. It aims to understand what is happening, share how policymakers/regulators and industry are responding, and discuss possible ways forward in the coming months/years. Following the discussion at PRF-20, this event will be held back-to-back with the 21st APT Policy and Regulatory Forum (PRF-21) during 19-21 July 2021.

APT Web Dialogue  “Spectrum Management: Assignment methods and possible pricing methodologies for 5G spectrum (SM01-03)”

29 July 2021, 13:00-14:30 hrs. (Bangkok Time)

Following the discussion at previous two episodes (SM01-01 and SM01-02), this episode intends to address various issues related to pricing of licenses of spectrum bands for 5G. A number of critical policy and regulatory questions on spectrum pricing will be discussed. Some of the examples from Asia-Pacific and around the world will be addressed as well. Among the topics to be addressed in detail will include:

•      Assessing demand and supply – allocation methods - administrative assignments versus price-based selection (e.g., spectrum auctions)

•      Comparing Auction formats – SMRA, Clock auctions etc.

•      Relevant methodologies/factors to consider in setting reserve prices

•      Key auction success factors– lot sizes, minimum allocations etc.

•      Upfront fees versus annual payments or glide path for 5G spectrum fees

•     Supporting sustainable competition and investment in 5G services

The 18th APT Telecommunication/ICT Forum (ADF-18)

24 - 26 August 2021, Virtual Meeting

ADF-18 will look at policies and efforts to reduce the digital divide in the aspects of affordability and reliability. It will also introduce the current status of the Low Earth Orbit satellite communication industry, which is attracting attention as one of the possible ways to reduce the digital gap as technology advances and discuss its impact in the Asia-Pacific region.

In addition, the forum will consist of sessions to introduce technologies and methods for constructing cost-effective networks, while looking at new technologies of IoT that are continuously evolving in combination with related technologies such as AI, 5G, Bigdata, and sharing successful applications of IoT. The forum will also be a platform to share the outcomes and achievements of the ICT Pilot Projects in rural areas and other ICT projects funded by the Extra-Budgetary Contributions (EBCs). ADF-18 will share the current status and achievements of the projects funded by EBCs from Japan, Republic of Korea and P.R China.

The 28th Meeting of the APT Wireless Group (AWG-28)

6 - 14 September 2021, Virtual Meeting

The APT Wireless Group (AWG) covers various aspects of emerging wireless systems to meet the upcoming digital convergence era in the Asia-Pacific region. It also assists to provide effective radiocommunication solutions and to facilitate the transfer of technology and knowledge. The AWG-28 will report on the progress of its activities and further discuss the relevant topics and issues.

Quick Links to APT Work Programmes and Activities