e-LICENSING

This module enables the processing of a frequency e-license authorization. It includes a customizable e-Licensing feature which allows external operators to submit applications for spectrum licences via an online portal. The e-Licensing module integrates with Spectrum-E^©’s BRE-engine, which features the business-process rules for processing data for the process workflows. These workflows support the radio spectrum services managed by the spectrum management system, including the controls and validations for each field and web-form associated with each business process.

The diagram above describes a typical interaction between an external business user and a government-side end-user. This interaction aims to process an application to authorize a request for spectrum usage, type approval, user registration, etc. The e-Licensing module allows the regulator via a web portal, to facilitate and automate this process either on a locally hosted implementation, cloud service delivery or hybrid-cloud implementation.

The Spectrum-E© e-Licensing module includes a Business Rule Engine (BRE) with more than 300 business rules relevant to the processing of spectrum management related applications. The BRE and the system workflows are both highly customizable. The BRE rules can also be accessed through the Spectrum-E© API.

The first step automatically verifies the identification numbers match those stored a separate registry of authenticated companies and individual users. This registry connects to Spectrum-E© through a web service. NB. a separate user/company registry does not need to be implemented, only where a national government has a pre-existing legacy registration system for individuals and companies that wish to do business with that nation’s federal government.

The second step to verify an external user’s access to the system via an internal validation process. The system analysts charged with reviewing incoming requests can choose to deny the incoming requests if they are deemed suspicious or if they require further information, such as supplemental documentation to verify the identity of the individual.

The Spectrum-E© e-Licensing module offers full Create, Read, Update, Delete (CRUD) functionality through web-form data entry or electronic upload of an XLSX or CSV file. The system’s BRE is engaged in an automated field validation process to ensure that the information being submitted is free from obvious data entry errors. The typical types of requests supported include:

• New frequency authorizations
• Modification to existing frequency authorizations
• Cancellation of existing frequency authorizations
• Change of company name
• License/Authorization transfers
• New Equipment Type Approval authorizations

Once the automated validation application is submitted, the application can no longer be edited unless to cancel the requests. Analysts then log into the window to conduct user account history and technical analysis on the requests. The system includes a manual verification check-list for the analyst to review and mark off to validate whether the system meets the basic administrative requirements. Technical parameters of the request are sent to the Technical Analysis module to perform the corresponding propagation, interference and frequency assignment. The Network Management page, offers a variety of propagation and interference studies which can be performed, including electromagnetic compatibility analyses and automated frequency assignments. After external reviews are complete, the draft Resolution along with an invoice for the fees owed is sent to the external user. Finally, once the invoice has been paid and the ITU-notifications are successfully coordinated, a final analyst can approve the draft Resolution and the external user can view the approved authorization in the system.