The growth of NGSO satellite filings at both the ITU level for access to spectrum and orbital slots and NGSO license and market applications in the US are challenging erroneous satellite operator claims of priority access to spectrum resources. Instead, the ITU rules confer a right to priority for interference… Read more...

SpaceX's Starlink is one of the leading constellations of non-geostationary (NGSO) low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. In doing so, it is traversing a complex array of international and national regulations while at the same time amassing approvals to use spectrum across a range of bands. Starlink is not only competing… Read more...

Satellite operators continue to lobby for adequate measures to protect incumbent services in existing bands. With a view to full integration of satellite technologies and services into emerging 5G networks and support for non-terrestrial network solutions, in recent years the satellite community has become more actively involved in ITU 5G… Read more...

EchoStar Corporation continues to lobby for more spectrum resources for satellite services – both fixed and mobile – and more balanced spectrum policies. It is also focused on the full integration of S-Band satellite services into emerging 5G networks and places priority on the inclusion of non-terrestrial networks in the… 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...

Although the 2019 World Radio Conference did not decide to study 7 GHz and 8 GHz spectrum for identification for IMT (mobile broadband) services, the mobile industry continues to lobby for shared access to the 7125 - 7750 MHz and 7750 - 8500 MHz ranges, or parts thereof. Read more...

There is growing interest in commercial use of spectrum above 90 GHz but availability is a confused picture. This diagram and explanatory note identifies the split between active and passive services as well as highlighting which frequencies are being studied by regulatory bodies and research projects. Read more...

A number of recent technology, standards and regulatory developments have elevated discussions around the use of terahertz spectrum for commercial fixed and wireless communications. The current focus of research and regulatory activities is on the lower end of the terahertz range – 300-450 GHz – where technologies have evolved to… Read more...

A puzzling and unexpected issue made its way into WRC-19 discussions – the use of International Mobile Telecommunication systems for fixed wireless broadband in the frequency bands allocated to the fixed service on primary basis. The WRC-19 Resolution is short on specifics and raises more questions than it answers. In… Read more...

A lack of national-level spectrum policy is stymieing the development of the commercial drone industry. This is despite the progressive identification of spectrum for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) at the international-level and ongoing innovation supporting innumerable use cases for commercial drones. In this second note of a two-part series on… Read more...