Austria expects to start auctioning spectrum for 5G in autumn this year. In 2018 and 2019, the plan is to award frequencies in the 700 MHz, 1500 MHz, 2100 MHz and 3.4-3.8 GHz bands. Read more...

Japan will be hosting the Olympic Games in 2020 and the country plans to use the event as a showcase for new technologies such as 5G. As a result, both its government and its operators are very active in testing the technology. Read more...

The Brazilian regulator is one of many worldwide to have launched a consultation on using the 3.5 GHz band for 5G. However, it intends to focus on LTE-A in the band first. The regulator has also said that 5G auctions will be held after 2020, once global terms on bandwidth… Read more...

German mobile operators are currently planning to deploy 5G in the 700 MHz band, which was auctioned in June 2015. They also expect to make use of spectrum in and surrounding the 3.5 GHz range. However, none has announced any firm 5G targets, or said much about 5G trials outside… Read more...

UK regulator Ofcom and the UK's four mobile network operators are actively preparing for the 5G era. However, Ofcom's plan to auction the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz bands could be held up by legal action. The 700 MHz band is due to be auctioned (lawyers permitting) by 2020. Read more...

After what seemed to many like a long delay, Canada is now preparing to follow the US in auctioning spectrum in the 600 MHz band. Its government also launched a consultation this year on using spectrum in some higher bands for 5G. Read more...

Swedish regulator PTS has been planning to assign the 700 MHz to mobile operators for some time but suffered a setback in late 2016 when the award was delayed due to "security concerns". However, it now seems to be back on track and the authority is also planning to assign… Read more...

The French telecoms carrier is focused on 5G, with its immediate priorities to ensure effective, coordinated rollout of 700 MHz and 3.6 GHz spectrum. For its expanding 4G networks, Orange is lobbying on refarming and license renewal issues. Read more...

US and Mexican operator AT&T is investing heavily in expanding its network capacity and in securing the spectrum needed to meet its long-term needs. It is also shifting spectrum used for 2G to its 3G and 4G networks as it moves toward 5G. Read more...

Deutsche Telekom's new strategy is to become Europe's leading telecoms provider. Its spectrum priorities remain focused on, among other things, spectrum for 5G, longer licence terms in Europe and more flexibility in spectrum use. Its US subsidiary, T-Mobile, won 45 per cent of the 600 MHz spectrum sold in the… Read more...