Spectrum efficiency through data: A methodology for evaluating local licensing strategies

The emerging demand for localized private networks tailored to specific and diverse use cases has increased interest in developing local spectrum licensing approaches that differ from traditional broad-coverage schemes. There is a significant need for forward-looking quantitative studies to guide technical decisions and ensure that licensing conditions align with overarching goals, such as supporting high spectrum reuse in potentially dense network deployments. To address this gap in the research literature, a novel data-driven methodology is introduced to evaluate the potential effectiveness of local spectrum licensing schemes from a regulatory perspective. This methodology utilizes real-world data to simulate prospective local deployment scenarios, capturing critical geographic details such as high-demand market areas, realistic industry locations, and high-resolution clutter information. The practical application of this methodology is demonstrated through a case study focused on the 3.9 GHz band in Canada, highlighting the importance of incorporating contextually relevant geospatial datasets to better inform local licensing regulations.