It's front of mind here at PolicyTracker for two reasons: not only has upcoming spectrum release been dominating the policy agenda, it is also the subject of our next training course, the Spectrum Auctions Masterclass, on 10-14 January 2011.

In most countries the biggest opportunity for decades is just around the corner: a chance to buy prime UHF spectrum vacated by the switch to digital TV. Add to this the upcoming sales of 2.6GHz and the need to refarm the GSM bands and you have a policy conundrum with no simple or universal answers.

The Spectrum Auctions Masterclass offers hands-on experience of designing and conducting different types of auctions using the latest web-based software under the guidance of a former FCC auctioneer. Leading academics will also analyse the economics of auctions and the best approaches to spectrum valuation.

To see the full agenda please download our brochure or to find out more please feel free to contact us.

As ever, there are plenty of articles about spectrum auctions in this month's PolicyTracker: please take a trial of the only newsletter devoted to spectrum management by clicking on the links below or downloading the PDF of our printed edition.

regards

Martin Sims, Managing Editor, PolicyTracker

PS: don't miss our special report on M2M Communications: does the internet of things need its own dedicated bands?

What's new this month?

GSM refarming

Danish refarming and auctions create level playing field — by Michael Newlands  

African operators launch pioneering UMTS900 services — by Michael Newlands

World's first LTE 1800 network launched in Poland — by Michael Newlands

French UMTS 1800 pilot has implications for UK operators — by Michael Newlands

Digital dividend

Operators watch and wait as Ofcom juggles hot potato — by Michael Newlands

PMSE industry protests over compensation package — by Michael Newlands  

Portugal and Italy move towards switch-off — by Jonathan Watson

More spectrum not necessarily the answer for mobile operators — by Michael Newlands

Spectrum auctions

Singapore’s second 3G auction planned for November 15 — by Michael Newlands

Thai 3G auction poised to go ahead on September 20 — by Michael Newlands

Unbowed Mexican regulator allows auction results to stand — by Michael Newlands

US lawmakers introduce proposal for spectrum incentive auctions — by Dugie Standeford

M2M communications special report

Smart metering and smart grids dominate M2M space — by Michael Newlands

Does M2M need its own spectrum? — by Michael Newlands

Battle to provide communications network for UK smart grid — by Michael Newlands

Other articles

Operators have high hopes for new mobile TV standard — by Michael Newlands

Brazil plans LTE rollout in time for 2014 World Cup — by Michael Newlands

Ofcom tests Olympic spectrum requirements — by Dugie Standeford

Countries debate radiocommunication and policy matters before ITU conference — by Scott Billquist, Geneva correspondent

Broadcasters want more certainty for electronic newsgathering operations — by Scott Billquist, Geneva correspondent