France's four main mobile network operators (MNOs) have all started testing 5G in the 3.5 GHz band, and consultations are underway on the 26 GHz band. The government's "new deal" with the MNOs has been hailed as an innovative way to improve 4G coverage. Consolidation remains a strong possibility. Read more...

While no major spectrum auctions have taken place during the last twelve months, UK’s regulator Ofcom has made available a significant amount of frequencies through various methods like spectrum sharing or licensed-exempt regimes. Read more...

French carrier Orange's 4G reach makes it the leading operator in terms of customers in "seven of our eight operating countries in Europe," with 207 million mobile customers worldwide, according to its 2018 annual report. It aims to maintain that same position with its 5G network, building on its 2015… Read more...

Telefonica Group has strongly criticised spectrum auction designs in various countries, claiming that any focus by regulators beyond efficient spectrum allocation and maintaining strong mobile competition risks hampering 5G rollout. Its 5G initiatives include projects for the banking sector, connected cars and TV broadcasting. Read more...

América Móvil provides telecommunications services in 25 countries in the Americas, Caribbean and Central and Eastern Europe. It wants to boost its position in integrated telecoms services in Latin America and the Caribbean while growing its subscriber base in other parts of the world. The company is building out its… Read more...

The Russian authorities are aiming to release 5G spectrum, but the country’s leading mobile operators are yet to agree on whether to establish a joint venture to develop the necessary infrastructure. The outcome of their negotiations will most likely define the mode of spectrum distribution that will be adopted by… Read more...

5.9 GHz is used for Intelligent Transport System communications (ITS) in a number of nations. Regulators are considering whether the band can be shared between ITS and unlicensed wireless services and between competing ITS technologies that are not interoperable. Safety-critical ITS use of 5.9 GHz will demand robust and proven… Read more...

Numerous regulatory, technical and standards activities are focused on unlicensed use of 6 GHz spectrum. Wi-Fi and cellular operators are interested in exploiting opportunities in the band. In Europe, the focus is on 6 GHz sharing studies, coexistence conditions and preliminary standards development. Policy planners will also look to developments… Read more...

Regulators are examining evolving spectrum management tools – database-driven spectrum assignment and interference management, coupled with spectrum sensing capabilities – to facilitate spectrum sharing. Policy planners must closely monitor developments in this space and consider adapting sharing models in accordance with national and band-specific conditions. Read more...

There is no globally harmonized spectrum for IoT, and there is no indication that this situation will change. IoT spectrum considerations therefore remain in the hands of national regulators. Read more...