System and method for transferring spectrum use rights
The present disclosure describes systems and methods that facilitate the transfer rights associated with spectrum between parties. Access to spectrum for wireless communications may be transferred from a spectrum holder to a spectrum user while minimizing their role in submitting regulatory agency compliance filings. As a result, parties may transfer spectrum with relative ease, with faster transaction time and lower expense. This leads to more efficient use of the spectrum.
1. A computer implemented method of transferring rights associated with spectrum, comprising:
receiving, by an automated spectrum exchange server system, a description of spectrum that is available for sublease from a spectrum holder;
wherein the spectrum description includes geographic information, frequency information and time information;
creating, by the automated spectrum exchange server system, a sublease agreement between the spectrum holder and a spectrum intermediary for the described spectrum;
wherein the spectrum intermediary is a different party than the spectrum holder;
apportioning, by the automated spectrum exchange server system and to a spectrum user radio equipment, an amount of the described spectrum;
wherein the spectrum user radio equipment is operated by a different party than each of the spectrum intermediary and the spectrum holder;
wherein the spectrum user radio equipment creates a sub-network within confines of the created sublease;
wherein the spectrum user radio equipment conducts wireless communications over the sub-network and in the apportioned amount of the described spectrum; and
granting, by the automated spectrum exchange server system and to the spectrum user radio equipment, access permission to the apportioned amount of the described spectrum;
providing, by the automated spectrum exchange server system and on behalf of the spectrum intermediary, electronic control over the spectrum user radio equipment to conduct the wireless communications;
assigning, by the automated spectrum exchange server system, a spectrum-related variable under which the spectrum user radio system is to engage in wireless communications;
creating, by the automated spectrum exchange server system, a spectrum certificate that contains the assigned spectrum-related variable; and
issuing, by the automated spectrum exchange server system and to the spectrum user radio equipment, the spectrum certificate; and
wherein the spectrum certificate electronically binds transmissions of the spectrum user radio equipment.
2. The method of claim 1 , submitting, by the automated spectrum exchange server system to a governing regulatory agency, a regulatory agency report with data regarding transmitter locations for radio equipment of the spectrum user radio equipment that operate under the granted access permission.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the spectrum-related variables of the spectrum certificate that electronically binds transmissions of the spectrum user radio equipment include a time window, a frequency-based spectral mask, a geography-based emission mask and a transmit power limit.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the described spectrum is apportioned from a larger spectrum holding of the spectrum holder.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising validating the described spectrum, with the automated spectrum exchange server system, by determining that there are not regulatory or prior spectrum allocation hindrances to a spectrum user's ability to use the described spectrum.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the access grant is made by matching, with the automated spectrum exchange server system, a request from the spectrum user radio equipment for spectrum to operate a wireless application with the subleased spectrum.
7. A system for transferring rights associated with spectrum, comprising:
a processor;
a memory that stores executable code when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform the steps of:
receiving a description of spectrum that is available for sublease from a spectrum holder;
wherein the spectrum description includes geographic information, frequency information and time information;
creating a sublease agreement between the spectrum holder and a spectrum intermediary for the described spectrum;
wherein the spectrum intermediary is a different party than the spectrum holder;
apportioning to a spectrum user radio equipment, an amount of the described spectrum;
wherein the spectrum user radio equipment is operated by a different party than each of the spectrum intermediary and the spectrum holder;
wherein the spectrum user radio equipment creates a sub-network within confines of the created sublease;
wherein the spectrum user radio equipment conducts wireless communications over the sub-network and in the apportioned amount of the described spectrum;
granting to the spectrum user radio equipment, access permission to the apportioned amount of the described spectrum;
providing on behalf of the spectrum intermediary, electronic control over the spectrum user radio equipment to conduct the wireless communications;
assigning a spectrum-related variable under which the spectrum user radio equipment is to engage in wireless communications;
creating a spectrum certificate that contains the assigned spectrum-related variable;
issuing to the spectrum user radio equipment, the spectrum certificate; and
wherein the spectrum certificate electronically binds transmissions of the spectrum user radio system.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the code also contains logic to submit a regulatory agency report to a governing regulatory agency with data regarding transmitter locations for radio equipment of the spectrum user radio system that operate under the granted access permission.
9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the spectrum-related variables of the spectrum certificate that electronically binds transmissions of the spectrum user radio equipment include a time window, a frequency-based spectral mask, a geography-based emission mask and a transmit power limit.
10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the described spectrum is apportioned from a larger spectrum holding of the spectrum holder.
11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the code also contains logic to validate the described spectrum by determining that there are not regulatory or prior spectrum allocation hindrances to a spectrum user's ability to use the described spectrum.
12. The system of claim 7 , wherein the code also contains logic to match a request from the spectrum user radio equipment for spectrum to operate a wireless application with the subleased spectrum to grant the spectrum access.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising submitting, with the automated spectrum exchange server system, a regulatory agency filing for the sublease to a regulatory agency that governs use of the described spectrum.
14. The system of claim 7 , wherein the code also contains logic to submit a regulatory agency filing for the sublease to a regulatory agency that governs use of the described spectrum.