A holistic framework for analyzing spectrum licensing models— illustrated by local licensing for 5G and 6G networks

Building on insights from regulation analysis literature, this research proposes a novel holistic framework for analyzing spectrum licensing models and illustrates it with recent local spectrum licensing models that enable the deployment of local 5G and 6G mobile communications networks. The framework consists of three lenses of analysis: focus areas that cover the process, product, and outcomes of regulation; the licensing elements comprising the substance of regulation in question; and the regulatory challenges. By combining these three lenses, the proposed analysis framework offers a clearer view for stakeholders about existing spectrum licensing models. The framework helps to identify potential areas for regulatory improvement related to legal, technical, and economic constraints and to understand the underlying rationale behind different licensing models by linking elements, processes, challenges, and observed outcomes. The illustrative example of local spectrum licensing in the UK shows how the developed framework for analyzing spectrum licensing regulation is applicable to characterizing different spectrum licensing models.