What went wrong in the UK?

Editorial: lessons from UK's refarming failure 

Only a couple of years ago Ofcom led the field with its plans to liberalise the GM bands and auction the digital dividend and 2.6GHz. Sadly its efforts have come to nothing: with a general election looming the necessary legislative measures didn't get through parliament quickly enough.

The plans for spectrum release have been shelved and could be abandoned if, as expected, a new government is returned to office.

 

What went wrong? Who is to blame? Governments need to stand firm behind regulators threatened with legal action rather than starting the consultation process all over again, argues our Managing Editor, Martin Sims, in this months editorial 

What happened this month?

UK refarming

UK government drops spectrum reform proposals — by Michael Newlands

The UK Labour Party has abandoned attempts to get a special instrument (SI) authorising spectrum reform through parliament before the pre-election recess.

T-Mobile/Orange ordered to sell 1800 MHz spectrum to single buyer — by Michael Newlands

The European Commission has released further details of the spectrum-related conditions related to the merger of the UK operations of T-Mobile and Orange.

Attempts to block UK spectrum legislation rest on disputed claim — by Michael Newlands

As mobile operators lobby UK ministers and parliamentarians to block the government’s proposed spectrum modernisation programme, doubts are cast on their basic premise for objecting.

Auctions and trades to set the framework for UK spectrum — by Michael Newlands

If the British government-sponsored spectrum modernisation programme manages to get through the legislative process and possible legal action, it will result in a liberalised spectrum market driven by the laws of supply and demand.

Passage of UK spectrum proposals depends on the Tories and BT — by Michael Newlands

The UK government's plans for digital mobile spectrum look unlikely to be included in the normal business of this parliament but could get agreement in a special “unfinished business” session if they get multi-party consensus.

UK Government makes decision on mobile spectrum — by Michael Newlands

Ministers have announced that they are backing a package of measures very similar to that suggested by the UK regulator some years ago. The 2.6 GHz centre band is to be auctioned as soon as possible.

LTE  in TDD

Satellite and aeronautical interests disagree over changes to coordination procedures — by Scott Billquist, Geneva Correspondent

Stakeholders are divided on whether new approaches are needed to ease the deployment of aeronautical services by the mobile satellite community

Time division variant of LTE faces its first test this summer — by Michael Newlands

The world’s two biggest telecoms markets, China and India, may see the first rollout of time division duplex (TD)-LTE as early as 2011 when frequency division duplex (FD)–LTE is only starting to gain traction.

Green light for Indian 3G auction on April 9 — by Michael Newlands

This time it seems almost certain the Indian 3G and BWA auctions are finally going ahead following numerous postponements over the past two years, with the government having released a list of qualified bidders.

EU and ITU call on Iran to stop satellite interference — by Scott Billquist, Geneva Correspondent

In a highly unusual move European foreign ministers and the Radio Regulations Board have demanded action after repeated complaints from broadcasters.

World's first "smart city" wireless network launches using TV white spaces — by Scott Billquist

Local officials say the network is a "model for public-private partnerships"

Switzerland tries to gauge demand for digital terrestrial television — by Scott Billquist, Geneva Correspondent

The Swiss regulator, Ofcom, has opened a consultation to assess how many of the non-public broadcasters want to provide DVB-T services.

Border issues with Russia hampers use of digital dividend band — by Dugie Standeford

Under pressure to free up the 800 MHz band for wireless services, some European countries are still trying to resolve interference problems with Russia. The RSPG wants the EU to play a larger role in negotiations.

Spectrum policy: no change is not an option says Neelie Kroes — by Nathalie Vandystadt, Brussels’ correspondent

Commissioner Kroes used the Spectrum Summit to make a commitment to greater flexibility and greater competition

German court throws out attempts to block auction — by Michael Newlands

A bid by Germany’s two smallest mobile operators to halt the planned April 12 superauction of 340 MHz of spectrum in four bands has failed.

Fear of regional lag dominates first EU spectrum summit — by Dugie Standeford

There may be different views on the future of EU spectrum policy but summit participants agreed on the need to stop the region falling behind the US and Asia

US “cash for your spectrum” scheme moves off the drawing board — by Dugie Standeford

FCC proposals for “incentive” spectrum auctions in which licensees voluntarily give up their spectrum for sale has been welcomed but experts say the devil is in the implementation details.

"Spectrum Dashboard" launched by US regulator — by Michael Newlands

US telecoms regulator the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released a beta version of a user-friendly online spectrum information system featuring licensing data, information, maps and analysis.

Time is running out to tackle satellite's spectrum shortfall, insiders say — by Scott Billquist, Geneva Correspondent

International scientific and technological bodies as well as some countries are raising concerns about mobile satellite allocations being suggested for consideration at WRC-12

Dutch 2.6 GHz auction attracts nine entrants — by Michael Newlands

Thanks to restrictions which ensure the bulk of spectrum is reserved for newcomers to the local telecoms market, the upcoming Dutch 2.6 GHz auction has attracted nine bidders.

FCC publishes national broadband plan explaining how to free up 500MHz — by Dugie Standeford

Reaction to the spectrum plan has been generally positive, but one FCC commissioner has raised concerns about damaging the public interest.