Release 11 is a suite of documents aimed at helping policy makers and service providers unlock the benefits of new deployment models and shared infrastructure

SCF, the global trade organization committed to fostering sustainable digital transformation across industries, enterprises, and communities, has launched SCF Release 11 which aims to help policy makers and service providers unlock the socio-economic benefits of new deployment models and shared infrastructure.

This release comprises a suite of four documents offering a strategic blueprint aimed at harmonizing and advancing the architectures, business models and regulatory frameworks for shared infrastructure.

SCF’s Chief Strategy Officer Simon Fletcher said: “The expansion and diversification of the service provision ecosystem plays a pivotal role in advancing the digital aspirations of various stakeholders, including national policymakers, local authorities, enterprises, and communities. However, outdated regulations hinder progress. Modernizing regulatory frameworks is crucial to harness the ecosystem’s potential for socio-economic advancement.

“Additionally, clarifying the advantages and opportunities associated with sharing business models and standardizing the technologies and architectures associated with sharing promotes scalability, efficiency, and global best practices, fostering innovation and growth in the communications service provider landscape.”

Release 11 makes the case for a cohesive and globalized approach to infrastructure sharing, addressing critical facets of technology, regulation, and collaboration. SCF’s latest publications represent a proactive strategy aimed at realizing a practical, commercially viable, and sustainable approach to infrastructure development. Key highlights include:

1. Digital Transformation for Municipalities: SCF240 presents a succinct guide tailored for municipalities, empowering them to expedite the deployment of vital cellular connectivity and broadband services within their communities.
2. Delivering consistent regulation for an evolved service provider ecosystem: SCF241 identifies 13 regulatory challenges confronting service providers and policy makers, and how such challenges might be addressed. It describes SCF’s regulatory priorities and roadmap going forward with a goal of reducing regulatory fragmentation and leveraging global best practice.
3. Neutral hosts value proposition: SCF248 clarifies the practical and commercial benefits of the neutral host business model. The paper examines the advantages for various stakeholders, including national governments, mobile operators, commercial property owners, municipalities, and regulators. By fostering collaboration and streamlining infrastructure sharing, neutral hosts contribute to economic growth, technological innovation, and inclusive connectivity, ultimately aligning the interests of governments, businesses, and citizens.
4. Neutral host requirements: Architectures: SCF244 explores various established and emerging multi-operator architectures, highlighting the trend towards deeper levels of infrastructure sharing. Key themes include the benefits of collaboration, challenges in harmonizing diverse sharing models, and the importance of promoting industry-wide best practices and efficiency.

Sue Monahan, CEO of Small Cell Forum, commented, “We stand at a pivotal juncture in the evolution of connectivity, where the imperative for sustainable digital transformation has never been more pressing. With SCF Release 11, we present a holistic approach that brings together technology and regulation, offering actionable insights and recommendations to maximise commercial benefits and reduce unnecessary fragmentation.”

The release of these documents signifies a significant step towards fostering collaboration between industry and policymakers, underlining the pivotal role of shared infrastructure in realizing national and local digital transformation ambitions.

The suite is now available for download, free of charge, via the SCF website, with ongoing initiatives poised to drive further progress in these critical areas.