Headlines

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

Poland has become the fourth country with a commercial LTE launch and the first in the world to use the 1800 MHz band for 4G services. TeliaSonera has commercially launched LTE in Norway, Sweden and Uzbekistan at 2.6 GHz.

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

Singapore’s telecoms regulator, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), has published a set of auction rules and put back the auction date for a second batch of 3G spectrum by one month to November 15.

Slovenians and Austrians consider network sharing — by Jonathan Watson

Slovenian regulator APEK has begun negotiations with the Austrian regulator on infrastructure sharing, according to the GSM Association.

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

An October ITU treaty conference may update the intergovernmental organisation's basic mandate on use of frequencies above 3000 GHz, cybersecurity, radiocommunication services and elected leadership.

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

Following a period of uncertainty after Mexico’s recent PCS and AWS spectrum auction, regulator Cofetel has confirmed the results despite vigorous opposition from incumbents and various politicians seeking to have the auction overturned.

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

A UMTS trial scheduled to be conducted in the 1800 MHz band in France this November will be watched with interest both by operators and regulators, particularly in countries such as the UK, where operators are licensed at either 900 or 1800 MHz.

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

Advances in technology have made the European Commission back away from its previous full-on support for the DVB-H mobile TV standard - to the extent it is now “highly interested” in the results a trial of new solution, IMB.

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

Brazil has become the first major country in the Americas to break step with the US bandplan at 2.6 GHz. In line with Europe and much of the rest of the world, it has chosen ITU Option 1 instead.

PMSE industry protests over compensation package — by Michael Newlands

Lobbyists from the programme making and special events (PMSE) sector are accusing the UK government of exploiting technicalities to avoid paying compensation to companies being evicted from the channels they use.

Ofcom tests Olympic spectrum requirements — by Dugie Standeford

Field tests at several sporting events show plans to manage spectrum needs during the 2012 London Olympics are on track, the UK regulator says. Part of the spectrum will come from the 2.6 GHz band, which is due to be auctioned by the end of 2011.

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

Mobile operators should be changing their business models and making use of new technologies to get the most out of their spectrum holdings, rather than pressing for the release of more spectrum, argue a telecoms consultant and an advocate of femtocells.

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

The UK coalition government’s first attempt to address the thorny issue of spectrum reform appears to have gone down better with stakeholders than the previous government’s proposals, although there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

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

Portuguese regulator Anacom has approved the Portuguese government's proposed schedule for analogue switch-off (ASO) in the country. In Italy, the president of the regulator thinks ASO could be achieved by next year.

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

Which spectrum bands and technologies are to be used to provide communications for the UK’s proposed smart grid are yet to be decided, but energy regulator Ofgem has released a detailed prospectus and consultation designed to provide some answers. Our special report on M2M communications concludes with a case study of policy development in the UK.

Does M2M need its own spectrum? — by Michael Newlands

In the second part of our special report on machine to machine (M2M) communications we examine whether the sector can continue to thrive in the unlicensed bands and a mish-mash of other allocations or whether it needs its own dedicated spectrum.

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

In the first of a three part special report on machine to machine (M2M) communications we examine how the agenda is being driven by environmental and energy conservation issues.

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

The “Voluntary Incentive Auctions Act of 2010," introduced on 27 July by US House of Representatives Members Rick Boucher, a Democrat, and Cliff Stearns, a Republican, aims to help the Federal Communications Commission free up 500 MHz of new spectrum over the next ten years.

Auction leaves Mexican 3G incumbent with new challengers — by Michael Newlands

Mexico now has three nationally-licensed 3G operators following an auction of excess 2.1 GHz spectrum, breaking the monopoly of the country’s dominant MNO, Telcel.

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

Greater certainty on spectrum that can be used for electronic newsgathering, outside broadcasting and production is needed to spur the confidence of regulators and manufacturers producing equipment, European broadcasters say.

New rules to allow UMTS900 devices but not networks — by Michael Newlands

Ofcom has revised a consultation document which gave the impression an EU Directive allowing UMTS in the GSM bands would become UK law by November.