The Vodafone Group's mission is to "connect for a better future," according to its 2020 annual report. It wants to connect over 250 million people to its next-generation networks by 2025 and is "investing significantly" in network infrastructure and coverage. Vodafone is a key player in the move toward Open… Read more...

Granted a 5G commercial licence in June 2019, China Mobile is now focused on strengthening and updating its existing businesses, exploring new growth areas and adding value to mobile customer services through such things as smart home operations (5G+). As of June 2020, it had 947 million mobile customers, with… Read more...

Japanese operator SoftBank's priorities revolve around creating a "world where all things, information and minds are connected." It remains focused on high-altitude platforms for the Internet of Things and 5G, but is also investing in artificial intelligence (AI), augmented and virtual reality, robots and other cutting-edge technologies. Read more...

Telefonica Group is upgrading its 4G and 5G networks and continues to add to its spectrum portfolio. A key focus now is Open RAN networks for 5G deployment. Read more...

Verizon was the big winner in the 2020 Federal Communications Commission's 3.7 GHz (C-band) auction, boosting its sub-6 GHz holdings by 120 percent. The spectrum will be a "critical component" of its 5G strategy, but the operator is also interested in 6 GHz and 3.45 - 3.55 GHz. Read more...

Unlike their counterparts in most countries, Russia’s operators are to start developing 5G services with the use of the 4.8 - 4.99 GHz band which is likely to delay the technology’s rollout in the market. As the 3.4 - 3.8 GHz band will continue to be used by the Russian… Read more...

High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) are currently positioned as a complement to both terrestrial and satellite networks, but will they ultimately compete more directly with traditional operators? For at least one player in the market this will not be the case, as Alphabet’s Loon solar-powered balloons prove to be unviable. Read more...

What are the global trends in refarming legacy bands to use for 4G or 5G?  Some operators have already switched over, but for others their strategy has to accommodate the use of 2G for M2M services. Read more...

Vertical industries seeking to gain 5G connectivity are facing a complex and disparate international policy environment. Approaches range from no specific spectrum for verticals; to Germany’s reserved frequencies; the UK’s embrace of sharing; and the CBRS system in the USA.  Read more...

This Tracker shows which operators have announced sunset dates for their 2G and 3G services. Read more...