Countries in Africa continue to implement unlicensed 6 GHz policies in the 5925-6425 MHz range, while the Ivory Coast, Namibia, Burundi and Mauritania are planning to implement licensed policies for Upper 6 GHz spectrum. Meanwhile, both South Africa and Zambia are considering both unlicensed and licensed policies in the upper… Read more...

While WRC-23 identified portions of the upper 6 GHz band for IMT, there is emergent consideration of sharing between Wi-Fi and IMT in the range. Spectrum sharing is also under investigation between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks underpinned by the need for 6G to be sharing native by design. Read more...

WRC-27 is set to consider three spectrum ranges for IMT identifications. All three ranges house a number of incumbent users – notably satellite, fixed and military and other critical services  – and are subject to extensive usage in many nations. The prospects for IMT sharing of the bands are uncertain… Read more...

Countries in Africa continue to implement unlicensed 6 GHz policies in the 5925—6425 MHz range, while the Ivory Coast is considering licensed upper 6 GHz spectrum. While nations in the Americas have typically implemented unlicensed 6 GHz policies, there is also recent interest in licensed upper 6 GHz spectrum in… Read more...

As nations around the world continue to implement and plan unlicensed (and now licensed) 6 GHz policies, significant variance in policy approaches persists. This relates to targeted frequency ranges, permitted modes of operation and technical conditions for unlicensed operations, along with varied policy implementation mechanisms. Read more...

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...

Industry consolidation is opening up a multi-orbit strategy for satellite operators, while regulators continue to grapple with satellite-direct-to-device service as more companies are attracted to it. WRC-23 saw a split in the satellite industry between GEO and LEO operators over interference. Read more...

Nokia places a great emphasis on the need for spectrum harmonisation for mobile broadband communications. It argues that priority should be given for exclusive licensing and high-power use of spectrum, followed by shared licensing models. It supports a fair balance and sharing of the 6 GHz band between licensed and… Read more...

Cisco supports spectrum policy approaches that are balanced regarding unlicensed 6 GHz across the entire band, as well as the need to identify and assign more spectrum for 5G and future generation networks. Cisco also supports locally licensed spectrum for use by private networks. It argues that policymakers should implement… Read more...

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...