Apple and Amazon stake claim to a wide range of spectrum resources

Amazon and Apple may both be more recent arrivals on the spectrum policy stage but their priorities are quite different as our two new Research Notes explain.

Amazon is focussed on the unlicensed spectrum on which its devices, services and fulfilment centres rely. But it also has interests in drone and autonomous vehicle delivery systems as well as private IoT networks and mobile satellite communications.

In contrast, Apple has a more diverse strategy, supporting balanced spectrum policies that bring more licensed and unlicensed spectrum into use under flexible licensing frameworks. Following the Apple patents trail reveals a myriad of wireless technology-related angles including interest in License Assisted Access technologies, autonomous vehicles and AI/VR headset technology.

The new Research Notes on Apple and Amazon’s spectrum policy positions are available as part of our Spectrum Research Service.

Highlights include:

• Amazon’s and Apple’s contrasting views on unlicensed and mobile allocations in 3.5 GHz and associated bands.
• Approaches to licensing in the 6 GHz band.
• Target bands for Amazon’s drones service and Apple’s autonomous car initiative
• Apple’s and Amazon’s approach to mmWave spectrum
• Amazon’s view on satellite services in 17.7-30 GHz
• Both companies’ use of temporary licenses and experimental licences.

By Dianne Northfield