The benefit of allocating 1.4 GHz band for suplemental downlink (SDL) in Indonesia from the viewpoint of mobile network operator

Abstract

It was estimated that Indonesia would suffer spectrum deficiency around 500 MHz by 2020 caused by the rapid growth of mobile data traffic. This paper aims to predict the maximum benefits of allocating 1.4 GHz band (1452–1492 MHz), also known as L-Band, from the viewpoint of mobile network operator (MNO). The analysis is carried out by calculating avoided new sites as the impact of 1.4 GHz allocation, during 2020–2029. We found that the maximum benefit will be gained when only two operators, the operator with the largest number of subscribers and the operator with the least of spectrum, occupy 1.4 GHz band spectrum of 30 MHz and 10 MHz, respectively.