Granted a 5G commercial licence in June 2019, China Mobile is now focused on strengthening and updating its existing businesses, exploring new growth areas and adding value to mobile customer services through such things as smart home operations (5G+). As of June 2020, it had 947 million mobile customers, with… Read more...

Japanese operator SoftBank's priorities revolve around creating a "world where all things, information and minds are connected." It remains focused on high-altitude platforms for the Internet of Things and 5G, but is also investing in artificial intelligence (AI), augmented and virtual reality, robots and other cutting-edge technologies. Read more...

US and Mexican operator AT&T won 80 MHz of C-band spectrum in the 2020 FCC auction and plans to start deploying it by the end of 2021. It remains focused on expanding connectivity, with 5G a key priority. Read more...

NTT DOCOMO is Japan's largest telecommunications company, now serving over 80 million customers, as of its 2020 annual report, with advanced wireless networks, including a nationwide LTE network and an LTE-Advanced network. It plans to roll out 5G networks in the 2020s. Read more...

Deutsche Telekom's long-stated goal has been to be the "leading European telco," an aim not only achieved but surpassed despite the "difficult market environment and the negative impact of coronavirus," management board chairman Tim Höttges claimed in the company's 2020 annual report. And, following its merger with Sprint, US subsidiary… Read more...

Telefonica Group is upgrading its 4G and 5G networks and continues to add to its spectrum portfolio. A key focus now is Open RAN networks for 5G deployment. Read more...

Verizon was the big winner in the 2020 Federal Communications Commission's 3.7 GHz (C-band) auction, boosting its sub-6 GHz holdings by 120 percent. The spectrum will be a "critical component" of its 5G strategy, but the operator is also interested in 6 GHz and 3.45 - 3.55 GHz. Read more...

Unlike their counterparts in most countries, Russia’s operators are to start developing 5G services with the use of the 4.8 - 4.99 GHz band which is likely to delay the technology’s rollout in the market. As the 3.4 - 3.8 GHz band will continue to be used by the Russian… 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...

Poland’s regulator UKE is aiming to auction 5G spectrum this year after its previous attempt was canceled in 2020. But the rollout could be delayed by the lagging legislative work on amending the law on the National Cyber-Security System, inefficient cooperation with industry players, and lack of understanding with neighbouring… Read more...