This note looks at agenda items contained under Chapters 4, 5, and 6 of the Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM) report, focussing on additional spectrum for the control and tracking of satellites; protecting data uplinks from ocean buoys and weather stations; accommodating the new Global Maritime Distress Safety Systems; and making an amateur… Read more...

This concluding Research Note on WRC-19 explains the priorities of the regional bodies and how this is leading to consensus in some areas. It also explains the implications of a few bands being studied across several agenda items. Read more...

Talk of a merger between US carriers T-Mobile and Sprint came to nothing but stimulated lots of discussion about how much spectrum they would have to give up. This made us wonder: do merging operators always have to give up spectrum? How do competition authorities decide how much divestiture is… Read more...

Despite better than expected revenues, the prices paid in Ireland suggest that operators regard 5G bands as a welcome addition rather than a prerequisite for a new era of mobile services. 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...

Like the UK, France currently has four main mobile network operators - Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free - and their attempts to consolidate have come to nothing so far. The regulator, ARCEP, recently announced plans to release spectrum in the 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands for 5G. The… Read more...

5G trials are to launch in five Italian cities in 2018, with several operators planning to launch a commercial service by 2020. Most of the country's 5G efforts are focused on the 3.4-3.8 GHz band. Read more...

Poland’s telecoms regulator UKE is in talks with its counterparts in Russia and Ukraine on releasing spectrum for 5G in the 700 MHz band, but its priority is to assign the 2.3-2.4 GHz and 3.4-3.8 GHz bands for 5G rollout. Read more...

Spain's regulator has launched a public consultation on 5G as part of its preparations for the next generation of mobile networks. Mobile operators have also started testing the technology that is expected to be a part of 5G. Read more...