The Guernsey Competition and Regulatory Authority has published a new approach to support future iterations of mobile technology on the Island beyond 4G.
It is consulting industry on a significant shift from the present approach to one that is lighter touch but retains accountability by those seeking to acquire valuable spectrum.
The announcement comes at a time when the Island has available to it a significant amount of additional spectrum to support new developments in the services we use on our devices and the technical features that ongoing innovation in this space brings. With greater emphasis on securing investment in world-class networks that are resilient and can meet the challenges of the modern era, the new approach looks to support States policy, in particular where competition is expected to be greater at the retail level rather than in network infrastructure.
The CEO of the Guernsey Competition and Regulatory Authority (GCRA), Michael Byrne, said: “The demands and challenges of the rapidly developing cyber era are significant for an Island like ours. The ambitions we have as an Island to stay competitive and keep our citizens safe, while promoting investment in our economy, particularly our digital infrastructure, are key factors in designing a regulatory approach that meets those needs. Having taken initial soundings from industry, we are confident that we have achieved the right balance in the new approach we are proposing.”
