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...

While led by the US, many nations in Europe, and to a lesser degree the Asia Pacific, have moved to ban equipment from Huawei and ZTE. Many of these actions fall short of outright bans, although measures such as strict security requirements and increased government intervention powers effectively constitute de… Read more...

This table shows the actions taken against Huawei in 40 countries. 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...

The satellite industry entered WRC-19 with trepidation but declared itself satisfied with the result. Fears over 5G interference have receded, helping them pursue another key policy goal: being part of the emerging eco-system for the new mobile generation. The conference also finalised a momentous change - bringing competition to safety at… Read more...

Fears about the global economy are at a ten-year high but the new generation of satellites is bucking the trend, as shown in the latest edition of the PolicyTracker LEO satellite tracker. Read more...

This Tracker summarises progress in the deployment of next generation low earth orbit (Leo) global satellite systems. The first table covers mobile broadband projects and the second charts progress in offering other services such as IoT and earth observation. Read more...

COVID-19 has placed unprecedented demand on wireless networks with changes to traffic patterns, bandwidth consumption and user connectivity requirements that will endure beyond the pandemic. Against this background, the response of a number of spectrum regulators has been agile and innovative. COVID-19 has turned traditional spectrum assignment mechanisms on their… Read more...

Increased demand for spectrum and a desire to use it more efficiently; as well as the emergence of new technologies and recognition of the limits of liberalisation have combined to give spectrum sharing a new importance. Read more...