by Dianne Northfield
Both 3GPP and the ITU are progressing agendas to identify spectrum for satellites and other non-terrestrial networks. 3GPP Release 19 anticipates adding spectrum in the Ku-band, while WRC-27 will consider several new mobile satellite service ranges, including spectrum for satellite direct-to-device connectivity. Read more...
by Dianne Northfield
Meta Platforms, formerly Facebook, is a key supporter of unlicensed spectrum, notably in the 6 GHz and 60 GHz bands. The company is also a keen advocate of spectrum sharing for multiple use cases. Read more...
by Dugie Standeford
The mobile industry's drive to build out networks continued apace in 2023. While the main focus remained on 5G rollout, some telcos are still expanding their 4G LTE and even 3G services. Interest in open radio access networks (Open RAN), particularly around standalone (SA) networks, increased, as did 6G-related activities.… Read more...
by Dugie Standeford
Japanese mobile operator SoftBank is part of the SoftBank Group. It says it is "embarking on a new stage of the Information Revolution with a 'Beyond Carrier' strategy" and that it is determined to position itself at the forefront of a society that co-exists with AI. Read more...
by Dugie Standeford
Operators around the globe are now frenetically engaged in building out their networks, 4G as well as 5G. Interest in open access radio networks (Open RAN) continues to grow, although not all of the players we surveyed have embraced it—or 6G—yet. Read more...
by Dugie Standeford
Japanese operator SoftBank is a segment of the SoftBank Group, which describes itself as a "capital provider driving the Information Revolution". It says it has been at the forefront of key technical shifts, from computers to the internet and from broadband to smartphones. Its focus now is on the "next… Read more...
by Dianne Northfield
Despite the demise of Loon's balloons in January 2021, industry and government support for the development of High-Altitude Platform Stations, or HAPS, continues. There is broad interest in this connectivity solution; a new layer or architecture – between terrestrial and satellite networks – to deliver commercial communications services, particularly in… Read more...
by Dianne Northfield
The International Telecommunications Union explicitly recognises High-Altitude Platform Stations, or HAPS, as an application of a service and has progressively identified a range of spectrum bands for use by HAPS in the fixed service and by HIBS in the mobile service. WRC-23 is particularly focused on examining new spectrum resources… Read more...
by Dianne Northfield
High-Altitude Platform Station, or HAPS, systems represent a new layer – between terrestrial and satellite networks – to deliver commercial connectivity solutions. Management systems for the coexistence of multiple different platforms in the stratosphere is making very slow progress and in the absence of a regulatory framework, operation of HAPS… Read more...
by Dugie Standeford
As the world begins to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, mobile operators have turned their attention back to network-building. There is also an increased focus among some on open access radio networks (Open RAN), as well as on 6G-related activities. Read more...