While no spectrum for 6G has yet been identified at either the international or national level, some telecoms equipment vendors have begun to propose specific bands for 6G. A diverse range of spectrum bands will be considered, including sub 1 GHz and potentially Terahertz spectrum. Read more...

Many 5G policy visions are described as piecemeal, uncoordinated and lacking in actionable measures. 6G policy planning is different. In learning from the past, a number of countries are seeking to develop more integrated and comprehensive strategies, drawing on a diverse range of stakeholders and leveraging cross-border partnerships. Read more...

As the world looks beyond 5G to 6G, standards development activities are spread across a large number of organisations. 6G technology is underpinned by geo-political tensions and there are growing concerns about standards fragmentation, prompting calls for tighter integration and coordination between international, regional and national standards bodies. Read more...

There has been significant uptake of B5G (beyond 5G) and 6G R&D initiatives in many countries, along with a growing pool of regional and cross-border collaborations. Many of these initiatives involve diverse stakeholder participation and long-term funding models focused on building broad 6G ecosystems. Read more...

The proliferation of a diverse range of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), particularly those operating at low-altitude, is challenging traditional air traffic management systems where traditional airspace classifications and rules of flight do not map to drone operations. Read more...

Spectrum allocated for satellite services and/or mobile broadband are increasingly being considered for UAS. In 2022, battle lines are forming between supporters and opponents of WRC-23 satellite allocations enabling beyond line of sight C2 link for UAS. Read more...

Several international and national bodies are working to provide protected aviation spectrum for use by safety critical applications. Read more...

Flying at very low-altitude, small drone operations have generally relied on the use of unlicensed, unprotected spectrum resources. This framework is neither appropriate nor sustainable for the burgeoning low- to medium-altitude Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) sector. In 2022, two key barriers to UAS take-off remain – the feasibility of UAS… Read more...

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...

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...