While the pandemic has unsurprisingly delayed a range of activities from France’s 5G auction to meetings of the ITU, many countries see spectrum as a key element of their response to an unprecedented situation.  Read more...

France has said it is ready to start auctioning 3.5 GHz spectrum, although the award procedure will not conclude until June 2020.  Read more...

The head of French regulator Arcep has suggested that the country may opt for a sharing regime in the 26 GHz band, in which verticals will be able to gain access to spectrum.  Read more...

PolicyTracker has interviewed Sébastien Soriano, head of French regulator Arcep.  Read more...

France’s regulator Arcep has revealed its plans for assigning spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band. It has decided to go ahead with a mixed assignment format whereby some of the spectrum is auctioned to the highest bidder and some is assigned directly to mobile operators.  Read more...

French regulator Arcep is offering temporary licences in the 26 GHz band to companies willing to create "open-access" trials, available for third parties.  Read more...

Recent outcomes in European 5G auctions have raised alarms in the telecoms industry and spectrum assignment processes as we understand them today could soon be a thing of the past.  Read more...

Under the 5G "roadmap" announced on 16 July, France plans to find more spectrum for 5G networks, promote the development of new uses, support the deployment of 5G infrastructure and ensure transparency and dialogue on 5G rollouts. Read more...

In what may be the first use of blockchain for spectrum management, the Agence National des Fréquences (ANFR) and start-up Blockchain Partner are preparing a limited trial of the technology using frequencies at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and in other bands. Read more...

NTT Docomo, KDDI and Softbank have cautioned against an over-reliance on bid size when making spectrum awards, as the Japanese government mulls a shake-up in frequency assignments. Read more...