Headlines

UK’s first mobile TV spectrum up for auction in 2007 — by Martin Sims

Ofcom has put forward proposals for auctioning L-band, which is expected to generate substantial interest because of the amount of spectrum available (40 MHz) and its ability to deliver mobile TV services.

Commission admits defeat — by Martin Sims

The European Commission has accepted that it can’t get regulators in the Radio Spectrum Committee to agree on EU-wide access to the 2.5 GHz band for technologies like WiMAX.

The Commission answers PolicyTracker’s questions on 2.5 GHz — by Martin Sims

The full text of the responses from InfoSoc and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding.

Impasse reached on network emissions standard — by Martin Sims

In what is being viewed as a bid by the European Commission to remove any obstacles to the rollout of broadband, work on a network emission standard has been suspended until “new technology” is in place.

Time to call the lawyers? — by Martin Sims

Are there grounds for legal action over the allocation of the 2.5 GHz band? Elements within the 3G and WiMAX communities both believe they have a case, but lawyers are more sceptical.

Intelligent Cars sans spectrum on track for collision — by Martin Sims

Tell the world you have a technology that will save lives and you’ve got a successful press campaign but given existing spectrum constraints can safety in the Intelligent Car ever be guaranteed?

Europe divided, Asia takes the lead — by Martin Sims

Does it matter that the dream of allowing alternative mobile broadband services across Europe in the 2.5 GHz band has been thwarted yet again? South Korea may soon give us the answer.

European Commission lends strong support to RFID tags — by Martin Sims

Another step towards an Orwellian world or an aid to better customer relations?

A clear picture has yet to emerge — by Martin Sims

The broadcasting, wireless and mobile sectors are all keen to make use of the digital dividend but their plans are being frustrated by the difficulties of predicting which frequencies will be released in which countries.

Digital dividend: non-broadcasters could face a long wait — by Martin Sims

The forthcoming ITU Regional Radio Conference of 2006 may herald the dawn of TV’s digital era but electronic communications services - not classified as broadcasting – may not get access to the coveted broadcast bands for several years.

2.5 GHz stalemate continues — by Martin Sims

A compromise proposal which would have allowed WiMAX and other services in a section of the 2.5-2.69 GHz band currently reserved for IMT-2000 technologies has failed to gain sufficient support.

Underwater wireless: a new regulatory frontier — by Martin Sims

Taking a traditional approach to standards could undermine the fledgling underwater wireless industry, warns a company involved in the sector.

VoIP mobiles could be target for new US spectrum tax — by Martin Sims

The White House hopes to make $3.6Bn from a spectrum usage tax which seems to target WiFi or WiMAX enabled phones. We say “seems” because clarity is very hard to come by...

Editorial: the genie is out of the bottle — by Martin Sims

The Cable & Wireless/Libera deal in the UK is the EU's first spectrum trade and is a powerful boost for the liberalision camp.

Regulators look set to accept compromise on 2.5 GHz — by Martin Sims

With those countries firmly opposed to technology neutrality digging in their heels finding the middle ground seems the likely solution to the long running dispute over allocation of this 3G expansion band.

Ofcom gives green light to EU’s first spectrum trade — by Martin Sims

The first “pure spectrum” trade has gained regulatory approval heralding a new policy era for the whole of the European Union.

Indecision forces UWB developers into technologically difficult territory — by Martin Sims

Continuing disagreement over the prevention of interference in the lower bands is driving developers towards the 6-9GHz bands despite the difficulties this poses for chip design.

First spectrum trade shows value of new policy says leading expert — by Martin Sims

Professor Martin Cave, widely regarded as the founding father of spectrum trading in the UK has welcomed a ground breaking agreement between two companies to transfer their fixed wireless access licences.

EU's first spectrum trade is agreed — by Martin Sims

More than a year after the UK became the first EU member state to comprehensively introduce spectrum trading the first deal has been agreed and is now awaiting regulatory approval.

Prime mobile spectrum to be auctioned in UK — by Martin Sims

Ofcom, the unitary regulator set up in 2003, has announced its first spectrum auction.