PTA devises Spectrum Trading Framework

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has devised Spectrum Trading Framework to allow markets to determine the best use of spectrum. The goal of the Telecom Policy 2015 with reference to spectrum is: "Allocation and assignment of spectrum to maximise social and economic benefits derived from the use of this scarce resource". The authority has asked all stake holders to provide their input/comments by December 5, 2016.
Section 8.15 of the Telecom Policy 2015 deals with the subject of Spectrum trading, and states that Spectrum trading will be permitted under specific conditions. Spectrum trading occurs through the outright sale of the rights and obligations or term lease, subject to license conditions and approval by PTA / PEMRA under intimation to FAB. The devised framework provides Spectrum Trading Framework, as per Telecom Policy 2015, to the eligible parties to carry out spectrum trading in Pakistan.
This framework focuses on the following points: Follow the latest approach; let the market forces decide the best use of spectrum. (a) Trading conditions (b) Trading types: (i) outright sale of the rights and obligations (ii) Term Lease (iii) Spectrum swapping
Tradable spectrum in Pakistan and categories of trading are Respective licenses, License holder and Spectrum Chunks. According to the policy framework trading fee (processing + re-issuance fee) should recover the administrative cost. It further states that over riding clause comprised on ensure competition, national security, public health and safety and compliance with national laws and policies. Swapping of spectrum would be two-way trade Framework.
Spectrum may be traded between holders of the same license type only. For example, spectrum trading may take place between WLL licensees or mobile licensees but not between a WLL licensee and a mobile licensee. Spectrum trading will be permitted only for spectrum that has been acquired through a pricing arrangement that represents its market value (ie auction or AIP). Spectrum subject to Administrative Cost Recovery or other forms of nominal pricing will not be traded.
Spectrum will be traded only if the relevant license that contains the spectrum assignment to be traded, permits trading. Spectrum assigned to a licensee without such a permit will not be traded unless Federal Government (MoIT) specifically authorises the trade as being in the public interest.
Following forms of spectrum trading shall be permissible under this framework: an. Outright sale of the rights and obligations (Transfer): The license spectrum holders may transfer all of their license rights and associated obligations to another party who will also be the valid licensee of the same category. Transfers will be of two types permanent, till the remaining term of applicant licensee; or time-limited. A time-limited transfer shall involve reversal of the original transaction by the transferee after the expiry of the time involved. Both parties will enter into contract agreement to be submitted to PTA at the time of application. With an outright or total transfer, the rights and obligations of the transferor will become now the rights and obligations of the transferee.
After such a transfer, the original licensee (transferor) will no longer have any rights and/or obligations under the traded license to the extent of traded spectrum. b. Spectrum Leasing: Leasing is administered by license terms and conditions. A license-holder may grant leases only if the license contains the necessary terms and conditions as provided in this framework. After modification of the license conditions, the licensed spectrum holder shall become eligible to enter into a contract to let someone else to exercise its rights to use the spectrum. With spectrum leasing, the rights and obligations of the transferor will become the rights and obligations of the transferee for the period of lease. After such a transfer, the original licensee (transferor) will no longer have any rights and/or obligations under the traded license to the extent of traded spectrum for the lease period. Sub-leasing to third party is not permissible ie licensee A may lease to B, who cannot sub-lease to C. c. Spectrum swapping: Swapping of spectrum is a two-way spectrum trade between both spectrum licensed holders subject to approval by PTA and FAB.
Interested parties will apply to PTA, under intimation to FAB, on a prescribed form seeking permission for either category of spectrum trading. The application form should be duly signed by the CEO or his/her authorized person. An affidavit shall be submitted in case of authorisation. Depending upon the required category of trade, applicants are required to fill the Application for Spectrum Trading form along with the checklist.
Spectrum holding licenses are allowed to transfer their license rights and obligations to others on terms agreed commercially between them. The following procedure for the transfer shall be followed: a. The license holders shall submit the spectrum trading application form to PTA duly signed by the transferee and transferor. b. The information provided on the form will be assessed and considered whether any additional information is required for grant of consent to the transfer. c. Maximum 75% of total spectrum held by a licensee can be traded. The transferor and transferee both will be in compliance with the prescribed spectrum caps as and when declared from GoP/PTA/FAB. d. The PTA may seek public opinion from all concerned regarding spectrum trading and its impact on competition, national security, public health and safety, compliance with the national laws and policies and compliance with international obligations and international relations. e. PTA may require from interested parties to submit within 10 working days details of any concerns they might have about the proposed transfer. f. PTA will have detailed assessment of whether the proposed transfer raises sufficient competition concerns. g. PTA may require meeting with the trading parties and third parties to discuss issues, if any, related to the trade transfer; h. The proposed transfer or otherwise on the trade shall be properly notified to the concerned quarters. i. In case, the transfer is executed, the transferor and the transferee shall surrender their licenses to PTA and PTA will issue new licenses reflecting the terms of the trade.
The circumstances in which transfers are automatically barred include the following:
a. Any of the transferor or transferee are defaulters of PTA payments and/or roll out obligations; b. In case any of the transferor or transferee have not consented to the transfer in the form; c. In case some legal proceeding are pending against either of the transferor/transferee; d. In case, PTA has not consented to a transfer being made due to any reason and this shall be notified properly by the Authority.
Trading Terms & Price: The trading terms including price are a matter of commercial negotiation between the parties concerned. However, these should comply with all regulatory requirements as set out in the relevant license conditions.
A licensee (in case of being a corporate entity) and is taken over by way of share purchase or, if company sells a business by some other way, will require permission from the Authority do so and a spectrum trade filing with PTA under intimation to FAB shall become mandatory.
PTA shall charge spectrum trade processing fee to recover its administrative costs involved in the processing of the application. The processing fee shall be levied on both transferor and transferee and will be Rs 500,000/- in case of cellular mobile licensees and Rs 100,000/- in case of LL licensees. The transferor shall be responsible to clear all its dues prior to finalising any contract for spectrum trading. After agreement, any dues recoverable up to the effective date of trade shall be the liability of the transferee.
Spectrum trading shall not change the original period of spectrum assignment as relevant to the traded block of spectrum.
Transferee will be allowed to use the spectrum acquired through trading based on technology neutral policy.
The amount received from trading shall become part of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) for the purpose of levy of License fee.
PTA/FAB reserves the rights to revoke spectrum trade in the interest to national security, threat to the competition, hazard to public health and safety, non-compliance with the national laws and policies, international obligations and international relations.