Mobile network operators around the world are teaming up with satellite companies such as SpaceX (Starlink), AST SpaceMobile and Lynk Global to develop direct-to-device (D2D) services based on licensed mobile spectrum. D2D-IMT promises service continuity in places beyond the reach of terrestrial mobile networks, such as in remote and mountainous… Read more...

Commercial service in the Citizens Broadand Radio Service (CBRS) band started in early 2020, initially limited to the unlicensed GAA (general authorised access) part of the band. PALs (priority access licensees) were permitted to start using their licences in April 2021. Read more...

In 2017, the Federal Communications Commission created the rules that govern the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) in the US. Since 2023, the US regulator has proposed several changes to those rules to create "CBRS 2.0". Read more...

While dynamic spectrum sharing is a subject of intense discussion and examination in regulatory, research, technical and industry fora – it remains a concept "with potential" with no generalised technology and band-agnostic practical solutions on the horizon. Progress is slow and the prospects and processes for a shift from static… Read more...

Current spectrum sharing frameworks have limitations. The challenges associated with present-day spectrum sharing are manifold. They span technical, economic, regulatory, political and national security dimensions that are exacerbated by strongly opposed views for or against sharing. Read more...

There is ongoing momentum around the world as regulators continue to earmark unlicensed or lightly-licensed frameworks spectrum for shared use by localised private networks. The same holds true for unlicensed 6 GHz policy implementations and expanded sharing arrangements in the lower 6 GHz range. A more recent development pertains to… Read more...

While WRC-23 identified portions of the upper 6 GHz band for IMT, there is emergent consideration of sharing between Wi-Fi and IMT in the range. Spectrum sharing is also under investigation between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks underpinned by the need for 6G to be sharing native by design. Read more...

WRC-27 is set to consider three spectrum ranges for IMT identifications. All three ranges house a number of incumbent users – notably satellite, fixed and military and other critical services  – and are subject to extensive usage in many nations. The prospects for IMT sharing of the bands are uncertain… Read more...

The mantra of spectrum management is the efficient use of scarce radio frequency resources. Over recent years, a number of regulators have sought to enable third party access to unused or under-utilised licensed spectrum resources. Notable examples of this activity are found in the UK, Australia and in several nations… Read more...

Spectrum stakeholders around the world continue to examine spectrum-sharing frameworks across both unlicensed and licensed ranges and between public, commercial and private users under an array of sharing scenarios. Spectrum sharing is a broad term that encompasses multiple domains, modes of use and users and design and technical parameters. Progress… Read more...