The optimum technology strategy depends upon a company’s existing
assets, the future market, evolutionary pathways to developing standards
and the regulatory environment. Quotient’s staff have supported
clients whose range of applications spans all wireless sectors including
2nd, 3rd and future generation mobile networks, private mobile radio,
microwave links, fixed wireless access systems, broadcasting, aeronautical,
maritime and satellite applications, wireless LANs and personal area
networks.
Quotient has an intimate understanding of sector-specific deployment
constraints, and where there may be opportunities for improvement.
Our awareness of emerging technologies, our ability to translate
these into constructive plans, and our understanding of the business
environment means that Quotient can work with all businesses to define
the optimum course forward.
Telecommunications is a vibrant industry and new ventures in service
provision and equipment development are frequent. As part of this
process, those backing new ventures need to be sure that the technology
has the potential claimed by its proponents.
Technical due diligence is required by many players in the telecommunications
industry. To perform it well requires a profound understanding of
the technology and its practical relationship with the market and
the cost base of the operation.
Quotient’s approach to technical due diligence is to assess:
- The standard of deployment (from initial definition of design
guidelines, to rollout, commissioning, optimisation and expansion)
- Degree of future proofing (platform and service flexibility,
capacity provision and future migration path)
- Service capability and its fit with marketing plan
- The build and cost forecast and its fit with market assumptions
and business plan
- Resources, tools and skill set
- Strengths and weaknesses relative to the competition
- Achieved performance
We deliver insight into the current status and capability allowing
clients to better appreciate value and risk.
All participants in the wireless industry need to understand the
value of spectrum: regulatory authorities need to allocate spectrum
to the most valuable uses, operators need to understand its value
before any purchase or sale under a spectrum trading regime or bidding
at auction, and financial institutions need to understand spectrum
value as a company asset. Establishing a good understanding of the
value of the spectrum for different uses and applications is a prerequisite
for any policy decision.
The value established for spectrum depends upon whether it is to
support public policy (informing allocation and assignment decisions)
or the maximisation of private returns (guiding decisions on purchase
and sale of spectrum).
Quotient’s approach to spectrum valuation may be based on:
- Enterprise value
- Marginal values
- Alternative methods of delivering the services
- Opportunity costs associated with spectrum use
The issue of valuation is complex, comprising actual costs and shadow
valuations. We have the analytical capability, economic understanding,
industry awareness and technical expertise to establish the most
authoritative view possible of spectrum value.
All regulatory organisations,
large and small, face an ever changing and increasingly complex
set of issues in the management of spectrum. Advances in technology
and reducing costs are driving greater use of radio for commercial
and business applications. Wireless communications, in particular,
is a vital component in the development of a vibrant telecommunication
sector which, in turn, is a key enabler of both economic development
and social welfare enhancement.
The result is a growing demand for
frequencies from public telecommunications operators, private network
operators, broadcasters and private users, more complex sharing
issues, and over crowding in some bands. However, it is important
to meet these new demands whilst respecting the needs of public service
organisations, including security and military users. Quotient’s consultants
have the experience to help your organisation meet these challenges
through:
- Aligning spectrum management policies with national objectives,
and ensuring that the National Frequency Allocation Plan reflects
these objectives and expected future developments
- Modernising spectrum
management regulations, processes and procedures to match the
new demands
- Identifying resource and skill issues, and providing training
- Advising on and assisting with the procurement of appropriate
automated spectrum management and monitoring systems
- Assisting with the introduction of market-based spectrum management
methods such as spectrum auctions and spectrum pricing mechanisms
- Maximising knowledge transfer to staff and managers
Quotient recognises that conditions differ
from country to country and delivers solutions that match the specific
local needs, capabilities and budgets.
With the implementation of any regulatory policy, it is of interest
to understand to what degree the objectives will be met, at what
cost to players in the telecommunications industry, and any consequential
impact on other sectors. In addition, it is valuable to know how
much the policy will cost the taxpayer, the costs of regulation and
any impact on resource requirements. All of these are important issues
when introducing regulatory policy and require a structured and thorough
analysis of not only the central issues, but also peripheral and
unintended effects.
In undertaking regulatory impact assessments Quotient:
- Takes a thorough and comprehensive approach
- Draws upon its wide experience working for many administrations
across the world
- Covers all aspects of technology, markets, economics and strategy
- Delivers soundly researched and evidence based conclusions
Quotient will help you establish robust policy with a clear understanding
of risks and risk mitigation strategies.
Independent audits and benchmarking can be a powerful tool for ensuring
optimum network performance and solving particularly intractable
problems. This may involve assessment of the design rules, procedures,
tools, resources, skills, training and quality systems, the benchmarking
of performance at multiple levels, and review of network configuration.
To perform the task well requires excellent knowledge and experience
in the sector, analytical rigour and effective interpersonal skills.
Quotient’s consultants have the interdisciplinary skills to
investigate and establish the factors that constrain network performance
and to develop practical solutions. Quotient’s approach and
interpersonal skills facilitate ‘buy-in’ to the solutions – thereby
maximising the long-term gains that can be achieved
Preparing a successful licence application can be a major task.
In the case of a beauty contest extensive documentation is often
required. As a minimum this will necessitate the development of a
comprehensive business plan along with nominal service and network
deployment plans.
In the case of spectrum auctions, a clear business plan and a proper
valuation of the spectrum, backed up by sound deployment and financial
planning, is a prerequisite to a decision to bid. In addition, a
full understanding of the auction process and of the practical application
of game theory is essential to the development of a robust bidding
strategy.
Quotient has the experience and multi-disciplinary skills to support
your licence application. Whether it be understanding the regulatory
environment, lobbying the administration, preparing bid documentation,
or developing a bid strategy, we provide the essential expertise
you need.
Radio spectrum is a finite and often scarce resource and most wireless
communication systems are designed to operate in the presence of
some interference. The need to increase utilisation, however, and
spectrum liberalisation measures have the potential to create additional
interference problems.
Whether your concern is change of spectrum use following a spectrum
trade, sharing between services, co-existence between technologies,
or operation in licence exempt bands, understanding the interference
environment is essential.
Quotient can quantify the impact of interference in technical, performance
and economic terms. We can identify appropriate mitigating actions
and develop co-existence criteria.
Major decisions and projects often have to be justified on the grounds
of having a net economic benefit. This may be for the benefit of
an individual private organisation or in the case of regulatory policy,
a nation state or regional block. The key to performing an effective
cost/benefit analysis is to ensure that all items are included, both
direct and indirect, and that the resulting assessment is representative.
- Direct project or policy related costs
- Indirect costs (such as those resulting from impacts on other
industry or service sectors)
- All service related benefits (intended and unintended)
- Costs savings (enhancements to efficiency, staff reductions)
- Synergy with other services and operational
activities
To perform cost/benefit analysis well
requires experience, sources of data and a thorough analytical
approach to ensure all items are captured.
Quotient’s approach
to cost/benefit analysis not only provides a thoroughly researched
assessment, but also provides clarity and insight, delivering understanding
of the main drivers of cost and the real benefits.
A great deal of core regulatory policy is formulated in consultation
with industry. This can be open consultation, for example, using
a factual paper to educate and promote debate, or it can be a more
limited consultation with a specific group of stakeholders.
Whether the consultation is open or private, national or international,
Quotient’s approach will ensure that it is effective and efficient.
Quotient’s approach to consultation is to:
- Develop a structured consultation process
- Utilise our extensive contact database where necessary
- Provide effective supporting documents (factual and unambiguous)
- Use our excellent communications skills to engage in constructive
dialogue
Our objective is to obtain a wide diversity of views, interpret
the underlying issues facing stakeholders, and achieve consensus
amongst participants in the consultation process.
Quotient Associates
Limited is an independent consultancy founded by an established
team of strategic consultants, providing services to all players
within the communications industry. We have the experience and vision
to ensure that technology is applied most effectively to the benefit
of your business.
Our in-depth understanding of technology
and standards, our practical experience of network deployment,
and our appreciation of the business drivers means that we are
able to provide soundly based advice to operators, governments, vendors,
financial institutions and others in the telecommunications world.
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