Regional and national 6G roadmaps are seeking to align with the ITU’s IMT-2030 (6G) framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, along with standards developments as they progress in 3GPP. In 2024, national agendas are moving from concepts and visions to more concrete and directional strategies. While many of… Read more...

There is continued growing momentum in the assignment of spectrum for private networks, with 53 nations in all regions of the world now actively planning and implementing policies for localised spectrum use across an array of spectrum bands. Read more...

Several nations in the Americas that have assigned spectrum for private networks are now planning to assign additional spectrum resources across a growing array of spectrum bands targeted for local use in the region. Brazil, Canada, Colombia and the US are also pursuing new spectrum sharing frameworks for third party… Read more...

While different stakeholders continue to lobby for and against spectrum set-asides for private networks, PolicyTracker’s updated private networks benchmark shows that a growing number of policy planners around the world are assigning dedicated spectrum resources. This Research Note highlights different stakeholder positions on set-asides and examines the policy objectives driving… Read more...

The past 12 months has seen the leading economies wrestling with a new policy issue—satellite direct-to-device services—as well as assigning mid-band spectrum and finalising positions on 6 GHz. Read more...

With the re-merger of EchoStar and US-based DISH Networks, EchoStar is now a licensed operator of terrestrial and fixed and mobile satellite service networks, commanding a large pool of mobile and satellite spectrum. In addition to its GEO satellite fleet, with a new satellite launched in June 2023, EchoStar is… Read more...

Canada typically auctions licensed spectrum on a regional basis, most recently in the November 2023 award of spectrum in the 3.8 GHz range. It has opened the full 6 GHz band for unlicensed use and is implementing a non-competitive licensing (NCL) framework across several bands in support of localised private… Read more...

Brazil typically licences auctioned spectrum on a regional basis and has identified multiple spectrum bands for use by private networks. Most recently, regulator Anatel has earmarked 4.9 GHz for 5G and is developing its assignment approaches for reclaimed 700 MHz spectrum and unsold spectrum. The regulator is also consulting on… Read more...

In 2024, the focus of US spectrum policy is on building the country’s spectrum pipeline through the implementation of a National Spectrum Strategy. The Federal Communication Commission’s spectrum auction authority lapsed in March 2023. In its absence, the Commission is examining alternative means of assigning resources held in its spectrum… Read more...

The mobile industry's drive to build out networks continued apace in 2023. While the main focus remained on 5G rollout, some telcos are still expanding their 4G LTE and even 3G services. Interest in open radio access networks (Open RAN), particularly around standalone (SA) networks, increased, as did 6G-related activities.… Read more...