The usefulness of auctions is a perennial problem in spectrum management. This question emerged in last week's book launch for The Debates Shaping Spectrum Policy, and in a new country profile now available for Spectrum Research Service subscribers. Everyone seems to agree that auctions are good at revealing how much… Read more...

Unlike many countries, the head of the US regulator for commercial spectrum, the FCC, is directly appointed by the President. This means that each change of Administration results in a new Chair. The last Chair, Ajit Pai, took an energetic approach to spectrum management. He quickly implemented the 600 MHz… Read more...

The C-Band, comprising frequencies around 3.5 GHz, are widely considered crucial for 5G networks. Canada's nationwide operators, only able to bid on a limited portion of the 3450 - 3650 MHz, competed aggressively this Summer and ended up paying an average of $2.61/MHz/POP, a new record for the band. The… Read more...

The use of spectrum auctions was once a black-and-white issue but is now more shades of grey. For over a decade auctions have been the predominant method of assigning spectrum because they incentivised spectrum efficiency whereas beauty contests often ended in legal challenges. But in many countries policy priorities have… Read more...

For the past decade auctions have been the default assignment mechanism for mobile licences but there is growing concern about their use. Can they deliver wide high speed mobile coverage with its associated economic benefits? Some administrations think not: France is allowing operators to avoid auctions if they improve coverage… Read more...

Our country Research Notes have been updated and now include population density maps. Population density is a crucial factor for most wireless services: it determines how many people can receive them and so the economic viability of a product or the cost of reaching most of the population. The population density maps,… Read more...

For the past quarter century, Europe’s approach to spectrum has been founded on the belief in auctions. But this week we reported on a Paris seminar which showed that industry is open to new approaches.  Being innovation-led is a laudable goal. The UK, for example, has recently debated whether it would… Read more...

Will 2018 will be remembered as the year when auctions passed their peak? Or maybe government and regulators are simply learning how to blend financial requirements with other criteria in more creative ways when they award spectrum? India, for example, noted for repeat auctions and eye-watering reserve prices, appears to be… Read more...

Although 26 GHz is a long term prospect for the development of new mobile services in Europe, the region’s immediate hopes are pinned on two bands: 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz. Read more...