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Report for the Danish Business Authority (DBA)
2011/2012 upgraded cost model –
final version
Reconciliation paper for the calculation of
actual operator costs
17 July 2012
Ref: 19176-144
.
Ref: 19176-144 .
Contents
1 Introduction 3
2 Model calibration 5
3 Model reconciliation 7
3.1 Unit capital costs of equipment 9
3.2 Asset price trends 10
3.3 Asset lifetimes 11
3.4 Top-down capex 12
3.5 Top-down opex 13
4 Cost optimisation 14
5 Updates to calibration and reconciliation of the cost model 16
5.1 Updates related to calibration in the 5.0vD model 16
5.2 Updates related to reconciliation in the 5.0vD model 17
5.3 Updates to the 5.0vR model 19
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version
Ref: 19176-144 .
Copyright © 2012. Analysys Mason Limited has produced the information contained herein
for the Danish Business Authority (DBA). The ownership, use and disclosure of this
information are subject to the Commercial Terms contained in the contract between
Analysys Mason Limited and the DBA.
Analysys Mason Limited
St Giles Court
24 Castle Street
Cambridge CB3 0AJ
UK
Tel: +44 (0)845 600 5244
Fax: +44 (0)1223 460866
www.analysysmason.com
Registered in England No. 5177472
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 3
Ref: 19176-144 .
1 Introduction
In early 2011 the Danish Business Authority (DBA) contracted Analysys Mason Limited („Analysys
Mason‟) to undertake a significant upgrade of the original mobile long-run average incremental cost
(LRAIC) model (hereinafter referred to as „the original mobile LRAIC model‟ or „the v4 model)
used by the DBA to set the prices for mobile termination in Denmark between June 2008 and
November 2011.
The mobile LRAIC model was originally constructed in 2007/2008 and version four of the model
was released for consultation in June 2008. The DBA has since updated the original mobile LRAIC
model on an annual basis. The first version of the “upgraded cost model” („the 5.0vD model‟) was
completed in November 2011.1 On 14 December 2011 the DBA issued this model to the Danish
mobile operators for consultation, followed by the revised version of this cost model (“the 5.0vR
model”), released to industry for consultation in April 2012. In July 2012, the DBA issued the final
version of this cost model (“the 5.0vF model”) to industry.
The upgraded cost model contains calculations of the network drivers and deployments, and
reasonably reflects the level of the Danish operators‟ actual network deployments over the period to
the end of 2010. It also includes a network costing calculation for a generic operator.2]
The 5.0vF model used the inputs and calculations from the DBA‟s 2011 pricing decisions on the
market for voice call termination on individual mobile networks (Market 7) as a starting point.3 At
the same time, the DBA received top-down information from the four mobile operators in Denmark
(TDC, Telenor, Telia and Hi3G) covering their actual network and expenditures to the end of 2010.
This document describes the calibration and reconciliation of the actual operator calculations for
TDC, Telenor, Telia and Hi3G for the years 2007–2010, which has been finalised for the 5.0vF
model:
calibration has been undertaken to ensure the network design algorithm was capable of
reflecting the actual network deployment of the mobile operators
reconciliation was undertaken to examine the expenditure levels, identify differences and
resolve discrepancies between top-down and bottom-up costing approaches (where cost
information existed for both bottom-up and top-down models).
For details of the calibration and reconciliation of the model undertaken for the years prior to 2007,
please refer to the reconciliation paper4 released with the v4 model on 16 June 2008. As far as
1 http://www.itst.dk/tele-og-internetregulering/smp-regulering/engrospriser/lraic-1/lraic-priser/mobil/2011.
2 This calculation is described in Section 4.2 of the model documentation.
3 Available at http://www.itst.dk/tele-og-internetregulering/smp-regulering/engrospriser/lraic-1/lraic-priser.
4 The public version of the previous reconciliation paper was released on 16 June 2008– http://www.itst.dk/tele-og-
internetregulering/smp-regulering/engrospriser/filarkiv-engrospriser/lraic/lraic-processer/lraic-mobil/endelig-model-og-prisafgorelser/Reconciliation%20paper%20Public_160608.pdf
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 4
Ref: 19176-144 .
possible, the calibration and reconciliation exercises undertaken to arrive at the 5.0vF model have
only been designed to affect the years after 2006.
This document includes references to confidential information. In the public release of this
document, confidential information has been replaced by the scissor symbol (‘’).
In order to undertake the reconciliation, the 5.0vF model is calculated using different settings to
those used when calculating the proposed cost result. Figure 1.1 below outlines how certain
parameters must be set up. These are selectable from the CTRL worksheet in the 5.0vF model.
Parameter For reconciliation For the proposed cost result5
3G coverage cell effective radii
implemented
Linked operator number Linked operator number
Cost of working capital Reconciled costing (no working
capital)
Including working capital allowance
Include 3G licence fees? No Yes
WACC adjustment to costs Reconciled costs (no WACC
adjustments)
Cost trends adjusted for WACC
Cost optimisation
(Sheet )
Reconciled Optimised
Figure 1.1: Parameter set-up configurations for reconciliation and for the production of a cost result [Source: Analysys Mason]
The 5.0vF model is set up with a different choice of parameters since the working capital allowance
does not appear in the actual operational expenditure (opex) of the mobile operators, and also
because reconciliation of the 3G licence fees is unnecessary.
The remainder of this document is laid out as follows:
Section 2 describes the model calibration process
Section 3 describes the model reconciliation process
Section 4 describes the cost optimisation applied to
Section 5 describes key changes to the reconciliation since the original mobile LRAIC model
reconciliation.
5 Full details are given in Section 3.5 of the model documentation.
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 5
Ref: 19176-144 .
2 Model calibration
All four mobile network operators in Denmark supplied a reasonably detailed set of network
deployment data with which to calibrate network deployments in the bottom-up calculations within
the upgraded cost model. In addition, all the network deployment data from the original calibration
is still available and so was also used.
In some cases, the data was available over a range of time periods – with the majority of data having
at least 2006 and 2010 data points. This helps to provide a further cross-check on the suitability of
the model algorithms in reflecting the dynamic effects occurring in the mobile networks.
Item TDC Telenor Telia Hi3G
Sites
Base transceiver station (BTS)
NodeB
Transceiver (TRX)
Backhaul links
Base station controller (BSC) or
radio network controller (RNC)
Mobile switching centre (MSC)
Backbone
BSC/RNC or MSC ports
Home location register (HLR)
Switching sites
Figure 2.1: Scope of top-down network deployment data provided by the mobile operators for years 2006–2010 [Source: Operator data]
Note that exact calibration (i.e. no divergence from supplied operator data in all years) was not
undertaken. This is because such an exercise would be unduly complicated, would result in a vastly
expanded model for very little increase in understanding, and it would only affect the model results
negligibly.
It is also worth noting that the calibration of the upgraded cost model was undertaken to minimise
changes to modelled years before 2007, and so to not significantly affect the calibration of the
original mobile LRAIC model. The 5.0vF model reflects the status of network deployment
reasonably accurately for each mobile network operator as of 2010, as shown below in Figure 2.2.
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 6
Ref: 19176-144 .
TDC Telenor Telia Hi3G
Top-
down
data
Bottom-
up model
Top-
down
data
Bottom-
up model
Top-down
data
Bottom-
up model
Top-
down
data
Bottom-
up model
Sites
BTS
NodeB
TRX
BSC
RNC
2G MSC
3G MSC-S
MGW
Figure 2.2: Asset calibration for the modelled year 2010 [Source: 5.0vF model, operator data]
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 7
Ref: 19176-144 .
3 Model reconciliation
Reconciliation of the bottom-up calculations within the upgraded cost model, as distinct from
calibration, is the process of comparing bottom-up expenditures of the model with top-down (actual)
expenditures submitted by the mobile operators. This reconciliation process can take into account
the breadth of expenditure information in the upgraded cost model:
unit capital prices of equipment
price trends
asset lifetimes
top-down capital expenditures (capex)
top-down opex
WACC.
The range of information provided in response to the data request issued to the Danish mobile
operators in June 2011 is presented below in Figure 3.1.6
Item TDC Telenor Telia Hi3G
Unit capital prices
Price trends
Asset lifetimes
Capex Yes Yes Yes Yes
Opex Yes Yes Yes Yes
Figure 3.1: Provision of reconciliation data [Source: Analysys Mason]
Accordingly, Analysys Mason‟s approach to reconciling the cost model utilised different methods in
each of these areas, as described below:
Unit capital prices
of equipment
The existing unit capital prices were in most cases kept unchanged from
the original mobile LRAIC model. The costs of equipment supplied by
were used as the basis of a check on the assumed capital prices for the
period 2007–2010. The two exceptions were the costs of owned site
acquisition and third-party site acquisition. In the original mobile LRAIC
model, for some (but not all) operators the costs of these two types of site
were set to be equal. In the 5.0vF model, the cost of owned site
acquisition has now been set higher than that for third-party site
acquisition in all cases.
Where new assets have been added to the 5.0vR model, the equipment
prices submitted by and international benchmarks (e.g. the unit costs
6 During the development of the original mobile LRAIC model, operators provided top-down data up to the end of 2006.
As part of the development of the 5.0vD model, data was requested for the period 2007–2011. This data was then used in conjunction with the data prior to 2006, in order to extend the reconciliation from 2006 to 2010.
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 8
Ref: 19176-144 .
in PTS‟s (the Swedish regulator) mobile LRIC model)7 have been used as
the basis of the direct equipment price for all operators. No new assets
have been added in the 5.0vF model.
Where operators, or benchmarks, have not provided necessary equipment
prices, Analysys Mason has developed its own estimates. In most cases,
these estimates were cross-checked (in aggregate) with the resulting top-
down cost data to ensure validity for the Danish context.
In addition to direct equipment prices, mobile operators undertake a wide
range of indirect capital investments – incremental upgrades, tools,
facilities, ancillary equipment, civil works, etc. These indirect costs do
not have a standard list price per unit, and therefore are usually only
identifiable from detailed asset register manipulation, business
plan/budgets or through top-down comparison. We have left the indirect
mark-ups used for the assets unchanged from the v4 model. For the new
assets (Ethernet backhaul, high-speed packet access (HSPA) upgrades
etc.), we have primarily used the cost model recently developed by PTS
in Sweden as a benchmark. None of these assets has a mark-up for
indirect costs in the PTS model and no data was provided by operators to
allow estimation of indirect mark-ups for these assets. Therefore, in the
5.0vF model, the indirect mark-ups are assumed to be zero.
We note that no operators provided unit prices for the operating costs of
assets.
Asset price trends The information on asset price trends supplied by operators concerned
capital equipment prices. To validate the existing annual price trends in
the model, the information provided by the mobile operators along with
Analysys Mason‟s estimates from other public mobile long-run
incremental cost (LRIC) models were compared.
Following this, a top-down comparison of capex and opex was
undertaken, applying cost trends between 2006–2010 to ensure that the
2006 unit prices had reach appropriate levels by 2010, based on the
information provided by .
Asset lifetimes The model uses economic lifetimes to drive the replacement of network
assets. The economic lifetimes in the original mobile LRAIC model were
based upon a number of information points:
typical mortgage durations in Denmark
economic lifetimes applied by the mobile cost model
7 http://www.pts.se/sv/Bransch/Telefoni/SMP---Prisreglering/Kalkylarbete-mobilnat/Gallande-prisreglering/.
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 9
Ref: 19176-144 .
Analysys Mason‟s estimates of the economic lifetime of network
elements in the absence of replacement, driven by accounting rules,
technology upgrade or service enhancement.
Although the model contains „accounting lifetimes‟ for reference, both
the reconciliation and the proposed cost result use „economic lifetimes‟.
In this way, assets are only replaced after their estimated useful life,
rather than after their average accounting lifetime.
For the 5.0vF model, no existing assets had their lifetimes revised. For the
new assets added to the model, economic lifetimes consistent with similar
existing assets were used.
Top-down capex We have been able to compare capex calculated by the model directly (in
nominal terms) with the data provided by all four operators. This was
performed at an aggregate and sub-category level in order to compare the
capital investments associated with each operator‟s business.
Top-down opex Due to the lack of bottom-up information on opex per network element
from the mobile operators, we have checked the total opex levels in the
model for each operator according to reconciliation with the categorised
top-down data.
Each of these areas is discussed in greater detail below.
3.1 Unit capital costs of equipment
The capital equipment cost for each network element was initially set in the reconciliation of the
original mobile LRAIC model, with values derived according to:
direct equipment prices from the price list information submitted by the mobile operators
the identification of additional indirect capital investments from the top-down accounting
information.
However, the upgraded cost model contains a number of entirely new assets in the asset list. To derive
unit costs for the entirely new assets, a similar process was undertaken as in generating the original asset
costs. Both the direct equipment prices from and international benchmarks (e.g. prices in PTS‟s
mobile LRIC model)8 were used as the basis for equipment prices.
Figure 3.2 below shows those assets in the upgraded cost model that have either been modified or are
entirely new. A color-coding system is used to illustrate the sources of information used to calculate
them.
Figure 3.2: Direct equipment prices [Source: 5.0vF model]
8 http://www.pts.se/sv/Bransch/Telefoni/SMP---Prisreglering/Kalkylarbete-mobilnat/Gallande-prisreglering/.
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 10
Ref: 19176-144 .
The colour-coding system used in Figure 3.2 is explained below.
Colour Description Figure 3.3: Colour scheme used in cost base inputs [Source: Analysys Mason]
Calculated from the bottom-up costs supplied by the
operator9
Based on bottom-up costs supplied by another operator
Derived from international benchmarks
Derived from actual top-down expenditures
Unit cost not required for that case
3.2 Asset price trends
In reconciling the asset price trends in the upgraded cost model, it was decided to consider the trends
after 2006 in two separate parts, namely the trends from 2006–2010 and the trends in the long term.
We describe these considerations separately below.
3.2.1 Price trends between 2006–2010
The price trends in the upgraded cost model are designed to capture real-world reductions (or
increases) in the costs of network equipment. supplied unit capital cost information for
2008-2010. Therefore, it was possible to derive a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between
the modelled 2006 asset costs and the 2010 asset costs provided by (in 2006 real terms DKK).
These CAGR values are shown below in Figure 3.4, compared with the cost trends assumed in the
v4 model for 2006-2010.
2006–2010 v4 model
capex cost trends
CAGR Figure 3.4: Comparison of the 2006–2010 capex cost trends to CAGRs derived using ’s modelled 2006 costs and ’s 2010 data [Source: 5.0vF model, operator data]
Sites 1%
BTS -6% to -5%
TRX -8%
Carriers -7%
BSC -6%
RNC -5%
As can be seen above, the operator data indicated several instances where a more aggressive
decrease in unit costs had been experienced than was forecast in the v4 model. In addition to this
bottom-up mapping of unit costs, a top-down reconciliation with each operator was also undertaken.
In this exercise, capex and opex trends were adjusted to generate appropriate levels of annual
expenditures in the period 2007-2010, as discussed further in Sections 3.4 and 3.5 below.
In order to minimise changes to the modelled expenditures prior to 2006, as far as possible only
price trends from 2006 onwards were adjusted.
9 Some of the bottom-up costs have also been blended with benchmarks from other models, where available.
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 11
Ref: 19176-144 .
3.2.2 Long-term cost trends
Both submitted information on the price trends applying to capital equipment. This data was used
in combination with the long-term price trends from the v4 model to inform an updated long-term
trend, as shown in Figure 3.5.
Real-term long-term,
from the v4 model
(1993–2010)
real-term average
costs changes (2001–
2007)
real-term average
costs changes (2008–
2010)
Bottom-up, real-term
long-term, forecast
(2010 and after)
Sites 1.1% 0.75%
Towers –2.1% –2.1%
BTS –5.7% to –5% –8.0%
NodeB –2.1% –5.5%
TRX –7.8% –7.0%
Channel kit (CK) –6.1% –5.5%
BSC –6.1% –8.5%
RNC –5.1% –7.0%
Figure 3.5: Comparison of real annual average price trends [Source: 5.0vF model, operator data]
In comparing the data on price trends submitted by the operators to that in the bottom-up model, it
can be observed that:
The historical price trends from the v4 model are generally less negative than both trends,
with the difference to being highlighted in the original reconciliation, whilst the data was
not available at the time. This difference may be one of the reasons for necessity of the larger
cost trends observed from 2007 to 2011.
The price trends in the upgraded cost model are likely to apply identically to all mobile
operators. This is because it is assumed that all Danish mobile operators are under the influence
of the same real-term changes in equipment (hardware, software, etc.) and local (wage, site
acquisition, etc.) costs.
The basis for revising a long-term trend in the model using the data provided was to use the average
of the original value and the values derived from data provided by . The values used in the 5.0vF
model are shown in the grey column in Figure 3.5 above.
3.3 Asset lifetimes
Each operator submitted accounting lifetimes for network assets. Analysys Mason‟s manipulations
to arrive at average accounting lifetimes were provided to the mobile operators as part of the
development of the original mobile LRAIC model. Economic asset lifetimes were also originally
calculated for each network element. This economic lifetime was assessed as the replacement
lifetime of assets in a steady-state environment, i.e. one in which services, network asset releases and
equipment replacements are predictable and stable in the long term. They were based on
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 12
Ref: 19176-144 .
characteristics of the Danish market (e.g. typical mortgage durations) and the economic lifetimes
used by Ofcom (UK) and PTS (Sweden).
Additionally, in the original mobile LRAIC model, economic lifetimes were limited to a maximum
of 20 years to reflect a conservative view of long-lived assets. This principle has been maintained in
the 5.0vF model.
When determining the lifetimes for the new assets added to the 5.0vF model, values from existing
equivalent assets have been used, or benchmarks from other mobile cost models where this was not
possible.
3.4 Top-down capex
All four operators submitted categorised top-down capex. These actual data points were used to
assess the degree to which the direct bottom-up equipment prices managed to capture the levels of
expenditure actually accumulated by the mobile businesses.
The majority of new data received from operators was given in the format as outlined in the operator
data request. These categories where mapped to the existing broad capex categories, as shown in
Figure 3.6, so as to expand the previous reconciliations to 2010.
Data request TDC Telenor Telia Hi3G
Radio network
Last-mile backhaul
BSCs/RNCs
Transmission, excl.
backbone
Switching
Backbone
transmission
Other core
infrastructure
Indirect network
costs
Non-network costs
Business
overheads
Figure 3.6: Broad capex categories; note that the number of categories provided varies by operator [Source: Analysys Mason]
The aggregated direct bottom-up equipment prices, including both direct and indirect costs, have
been reconciled against the actual top-down expenditures given by operators. The cumulative capex
was compared as this removes possible timing effects from the expenditures. Figure 3.7 below
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 13
Ref: 19176-144 .
shows a comparison of the modelled cumulative capex versus the actual cumulative capex for each
operator.
TDC Telenor Telia10
Hi3G
Top-
down
Bottom-
up
Top-
down
Bottom-
up
Top-
down
Bottom-
up
Top-
down
Bottom-
up
Cumulative capex
to end 2006
% difference
Cumulative capex
to end 2010
% difference
Figure 3.7: Cumulative capex comparison for modelled direct and indirect expenditures (nominal DKK million) [Source: 5.0vF model, operator data]
3.5 Top-down opex
Given the limited availability of bottom-up unit opex applicable to the Danish mobile network
operators, the level of opex in the upgraded cost model has been set according to the available top-
down data. A comparison of total opex for the four mobile operators for both 2006 and 2010 is
shown below in Figure 3.8.
TDC Telenor Telia Hi3G
Top-
down
Bottom-
up
Top-
down
Bottom-
up
Top-
down
Bottom-
up
Top-
down
Bottom-
up
Total opex, 2006
% difference
Total opex, 2010
% difference
Figure 3.8: Comparison of total opex (nominal 2006 DKK million) [Source: 5.0vF model, operator data]
As is the case with capex, there have been no revisions made to the indirect opex mark-ups.
Similarly, there have been no indirect mark-ups derived for the new assets, due to lack of available
data. Instead, the direct cost is assumed to capture all associated operating costs for the asset.
10
In the development of the original mobile LRAIC model, did not provide a full-time series of in-year investments for
its historical investments. As an alternative, the present value of capex was calculated instead for the purposes of reconciliation instead.
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 14
Ref: 19176-144 .
4 Cost optimisation
In this section we revisit the cost optimisation previously applied to . We have compared the costs
calculated across TDC, Telenor and Telia in order to ascertain where network and costing differences
exist. Figure 4.1 shows the components of total cumulative economic costs (sum of capex and
opex over time) calculated with the unit costs applicable to each mobile operator. In this comparison
it is important to observe that the inventory of assets being considered in each case is identical; the
only difference is the unit capex and opex assumed.
Figure 4.1: Network costs under different unit cost situations [Source: 5.0vF model]
We note that this comparison still raises questions about the expenditure allocation provided by ,
since:
The last-mile access backhaul layer of the network exhibits a significant and material difference
when compared to costs calculated according to the cost bases of the other operators.
The proportion of capex, and hence termination costs, contributed by the appears high compared
to Analysys Mason‟s experience of this part of the cost base in similar cost models, and is
significantly higher than for the other Danish mobile operators.
fully reconciled expenditures are calculated using the following unit prices:
unit capex (1992) = direct capex (1992) plus indirect costs
unit opex (1992) = × unit capex (1992).
Based on our comparison between the mobile operators, we consider that costs in the 5.0vF
model should still be reduced by an indirect cost multiplier and a unit opex multiplier. This level of
unit costs for can therefore be considered fully optimal for the purpose of wholesale mobile
termination regulation in the Danish context.
When undertaking this analysis for the 5.0vD model, it was observed that Figure 4.1 showed a
significant change in the economic cost within “other core infrastructure” and “backbone
transmission” when using the cost base of Operator 1 (). The reason for the difference in
backbone transmission was that the unit opex for the “National site-site circuit switched backbone
distance (SDH STM1)” was almost an order of magnitude higher for than the other operators.
We reduced this level in the 5.0vD model, producing closer agreement for this category. This is also
accounted for in the opex reconciliation in Figure 3.8, and does not significantly affect the opex
reconciliation for . The reason for the difference in other core infrastructure (which can still be
seen in Figure 4.1 above) is primarily the higher costs assumed in the cost base for the voicemail
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 15
Ref: 19176-144 .
server and the billing system, compared with the other operators. We have not revised these inputs in
the calculation in the model, although this can be investigated further.
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 16
Ref: 19176-144 .
5 Updates to calibration and reconciliation of the cost model
This section describes some of the key changes to the model as a result of the calibration and
reconciliation of the actual operator calculations for TDC, Telenor, Telia and Hi3G for the years
2007–2010.
Section 5.1 describes updates made related to the calibration of modelled assets
Section 5.2 describes updates made related to the reconciliation of modelled expenditures
Section 5.3 describes modifications made as a result of deriving the 5.0vR model
Section 5.4 describes modifications made as a result of deriving the 5.0vF model.
5.1 Updates related to calibration in the 5.0vD model
Choice of 3G cell
radii used for
calibration
In the original reconciliation, the effective cell radii implemented for 3G
coverage was assumed to be „Draft v2 voice, outdoor‟. When either
calculating a cost result, or undertaking calibration/reconciliation, this input
is now set to „Linked operator number‟.
The reason for using „Draft v2 voice, outdoor‟ radii in the v4 model was that
urban indoor cell radii, as used in the cost result at the time, caused a rapid
deployment of sites, with the look-ahead effect in the model leading to 3G
costs being incurred in 2006 and 2007. In addition, 3G coverage was too
limited in order to adequately calibrate the 3G coverage inputs by operator
in the model.
In 2011, following four more years of evolution in the 3G networks in
Denmark, these 3G coverage inputs can now be more accurately calibrated.
This means that it can now be considered reasonable to use these radii
during calibration/reconciliation, thus aligning the 3G methodology with
that used for 2G.
Updated traffic
measures
The various proportions of daily traffic in the busy hour were updated with
more recent data for each operator. Although this affects the model results
prior to 2007, none of the parameters had changed significantly, meaning
that any differences to the calibration prior to 2006 were not substantial.
In addition, operator information was used to populate the 5.0vD model
busy-hour parameters for both Release 99 and HSPA.
Updated site splits The split of sites by owned tower, third-party tower and third-party rooftop
sites was updated for 2010 and 2011 using operator data. The number of
2G/3G indoor sites and repeaters in tunnels were also updated for each
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 17
Ref: 19176-144 .
operator.
Updated BSC/RNC
capacities
To update the BSC and RNC capacities in a similar fashion as described by
operators in their data submissions, a BSC and RNC „upgrade path‟ was
defined. This functionality is intended to represent the fact that both BSCs
and RNCs are available in a range of step-wise capacities, with operators
tending to deploy a mixture of capacities. Therefore, the capacity used in the
model each year becomes a weighted average of the capacity options.
Updated other
asset capacities
In addition to updating the BSC and RNC capacities, other assets‟ capacities
were revised only where necessary. Examples of such revision are the HLR
capacity for and the capacity of the SMS centre (SMSC) throughput for
.
Updated some
utilisation factors
During the calibration, some of the operators‟ utilisation factors were
updated. This was mostly related to 3G assets. Where utilisation factors
varied over time, such as that for the BSC, they were updated for the years
2007-2010.
Other updates In addition to the above, various smaller updates were made:
To capture a roll-out of HSPA across the network, the minimum speed
deployment for high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) for each
geotype was calibrated with operator data. Minimum speeds were
usually set so that the urban geotypes had equal speeds to, or faster than,
the suburban geotypes, which in turn had equal speeds to, or faster than,
the rural geotypes. The HSUPA grade deployed was then that
corresponding to the ladder of HSDPA speed deployed.
The percentage of pre-existing 2G sites available for 3G upgrade was
adjusted to match the data submitted by the mobile operators.
Call attempts per successful call and average call durations were checked
against the new operator information and adjusted where appropriate.
5.2 Updates related to reconciliation in the 5.0vD model
Choice of 3G cell
radii used for
reconciliation
This change, as described above, is also used to reconcile expenditures.
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 18
Ref: 19176-144 .
Used modelled
lifetimes rather
than accounting or
economic lifetimes
for reconciliation
We have used the modelled lifetimes for reconciliation rather than using
purely economic-based or purely accounting-based asset depreciation
lifetimes. We believe this is reasonable since we are modelling replacement
capex in the upgraded cost model, which should reflect the lifetimes of
assets enduring in the network, rather than when they are fully depreciated.
Revised unit capex
for existing assets
In response to data submission that the type of sites being purchased
change in value over time, site assets were further split down by geotype to
allow for their unit costs to vary by geotype. For the 5.0vD model, the unit
cost of a site is assumed to be the same in all four geotypes, which is
consistent with the v4 model.
The unit capex for owned sites and third-party sites has also been updated so
that the former has a higher unit cost than the latter for all operators (in the
original v4 model, these were set as equal for some operators).
Following the investigations in Section 4, unit opex for the “National
site-site circuit switched backbone distance (SDH STM1)” asset was
reduced to a level closer to that of the other operators.
Added unit costs for
new assets
New assets were added to the upgraded cost model including HSPA,
Ethernet backhaul, and an Ethernet backbone. The unit costs for these new
assets were calculated using a blend of benchmarking from other cost
models and cost data submitted by .
Revised 2006–2010
capex trends
The cost trends between 2006 and 2010 were revised, as described in
Section 3.2.1. To capture operator unit cost changes over this time,
significant negative cost trends had to be applied to many assets.
While the cost trends are more negative than usual, it is felt that in this
instance they are appropriate as they are only applied for a small number of
years. They are also indicated as appropriate in order to get closer top-down
reconciliation with actual opex. The long-term trend is more conservative
than these short-term reductions. In addition, both the mobile cost models
developed by Ofcom (in the UK) and ARCEP (in France) have precedents
for large negative trends in this time period.
Revised long-term
capex trends
The long-term capex trends were revised as is detailed in Section 3.2.2,
using operator data from , as well as international benchmarks.
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 19
Ref: 19176-144 .
Revised 2006–2010
opex trends
The opex cost trends between 2006 and 2010 were revised during the top-
down opex reconciliation to capture annual operator opex over this period.
To achieve similar opex charges as seen in operator data, significant
negative cost trends had to be applied to some of the asset classes, though as
with the capex trends this is felt to be reasonable over the short time period.
As is the case for capex, there are also precedents for negative price trends
(in real terms) from the models developed by both Ofcom and ARCEP.
Revised long-term
opex trends
The majority of long-term opex trends remained as in the original
calibration. New cost trends were added for new assets according to
benchmarks, or to be consistent with existing assets in the same asset class.
Adjustments to
operator data
Data supplied by operators was adjusted prior to calibration to ensure the
accuracy of the comparison. The key adjustments are listed below:
„indirect network‟ capex in 2010 was assumed to be the same as
in 2009, as otherwise there was a significantly inflated capex in
2010
„network transmission‟ opex in 2010 was assumed to be the
same as in 2006 to take into account having internalised
transmission costs
„interconnect‟, „handsets‟ and „depreciation and amortisation‟ opex
values were excluded from reconciliation data
the 2009 and 2010 „business overheads‟ capex for was assumed
to be the same as in 2008, to remove effects of
„non-network costs‟ were excluded from ‟s opex to better
correspond to its previous submission; „capitalised indirect network
costs‟ were included in the capex reconciliation.
5.3 Updates to the 5.0vR model
Adjusted
radii/SNOCC
values
The 3G SNOCC values in the model were adjusted for each operator to be
slightly more accurate. In addition, where 3G 2100MHz and 1800MHz
SNOCC values had been previously adjusted for calibration, these were
returned to the original calculated values.
2011/2012 upgraded cost model – final version | 20
Ref: 19176-144 .
Recalibrated 2G
base station assets
The model was adjusted so that operators which use 900MHz as their
primary spectrum (including the generic operator), had their secondary
1800MHz spectrum coverage profiles de-activated. This means that any
sites using 1800MHz spectrum are now fully traffic-driven.
As a result of these changes to the SNOCC, the 2G network asset calibration
for all three 2G operators had to be recalibrated. This was achieved by
modifying the BTS utilisation, the TRX utilisation and the “Proportion of
capacity driven additional sites by spectrum type.”
Revised long-term
opex trend for site
assets
The opex trend from 2010 onwards for site assets was revised from 0% to
0.45%, based on data from Danmarks Statistik.
Updated unit costs
for two operators
For , several asset unit capex costs were updated using recently supplied
data. In addition, the cost trends for Indoor_BTS, Tunnel_BTS and
NodeB_indoor were modified to retain reconciliation.
5.4 Updates to the 5.0vF model
Revised long-term
opex trend for site
assets
The cost trend for all site rental type charges were adjusted to follow a 3%
nominal cost trend (converted into real terms using the model‟s inflation
forecast).