In 1961 the USSR launched the 'space race' by successfully sending Yuri Gagarin to space, and back. Sixty years on, we are again in another 'space race'. But aside from competition to put actors into space the current race is not between Roscosmos and NASA, but is between a plethora… Read more...

Being a confusing subject, spectrum managers often resort to talking about frequencies as if it is land. This is intuitive because many spectrum policy concepts apply to real estate too. A usage right can be thought of as owning land, while technical limits on usage resemble planning permission rules. It… Read more...

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many holiday-makers to cancel foreign holidays and stick to domestic "staycations". But two billionaires in the last month have foregone foreign trips altogether and chosen "space tourism" instead. Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos trips to space are emblematic of wider excitement about the satellite industry. Back… Read more...

The hopes for radical change in the relationship between mobile and satellite are largely vested in the new generation of Low earth orbit (Leo) satellites. But how many Leo satellites have launched? How much will the constellations cost? What services will they offer? Which spectrum bands will they use? How… Read more...

The next generation of low Earth orbit (Leo) satellites may have fascinated the business community but they are a long way from offering commercial services, as our latest research shows. History may not be on their side but there is no need for despair. Read more...

Mobile and satellite have always been colleagues as well as competitors but the balance seems to be shifting in favour of cooperation. There are frequent complaints about mobile encroachment into satellite spectrum but in the background MNOs like Rakuten and Vodafone are hoping that satellite can move beyond occasional provision… Read more...

Now in its fifth edition the PolicyTracker Spectrum Handbook is the leading resource for sector professionals seeking to understand the current status and future directions in mobile, satellite and unlicensed spectrum. The 222 page report is based on wide-ranging interviews with key industry professionals from vendors, operators, OTT players, national… Read more...

The satellite industry's worst fears did not materialise at WRC-19 and it declared itself pleased with the result. Existing services gained some protection against 5G in 26 GHz and 40 GHz but not in exactly the way the sector had hoped. There was good news for satellite in 28 GHz:… Read more...

Spectrum managers from all countries and industries are currently gathered at the Egyptian beach resort of Sharm El-Sheikh to amend the Radio Regulations, the treaty governing the international use of spectrum. The satellite industry is perhaps more dependent on global harmonisation than any other, and its spectrum policy advocates are… Read more...

With four months to go until WRC-19, what agreements have been reached and what proposals are facing the most opposition? The answers are in PolicyTracker's new WRC-19 Briefing. The ITU World Radiocommunication Conferences are very important, setting the pattern for how spectrum will be used globally. National representatives have been in continual… Read more...