When there is cleared spectrum to award, the default process is now the auction. It has been widely used for some 30 years and is generally agreed to be the least bad way to distribute spectrum when demand exceeds supply. But is this still true?  Read more...

Spectrum availability is a key factor among countries wishing to "win" the race to 5G. All of the major economies are planning spectrum awards, and the choice of band and auction design is unique to each situation. While some countries emphasise speed to market, others emphasise competition between mobile operators,… Read more...

UK regulator Ofcom has set new annual licence fees for 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum and is seeking feedback on what fees UK Broadband should pay for its 3.4 GHz and 3.6 GHz spectrum. Read more...

With the US government partially shuttered due to a funding dispute, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) suspended most operations on 3 January. Some spectrum auction activities, however, are still running, including work related to the broadcast incentive auction.  Read more...

China's mobile operators continue to be very active in preparing for 5G and hope to launch services by 2020. China continues to promote TDD technologies and is considering allocating 4.5 GHz for 5G Read more...

Mexico’s telecoms regulator, the IFT, is seeking comments on a study it has compiled on spectrum efficiency metrics. Read more...

Brazil is still planning to award spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band for 5G and to award the 700 MHz spectrum that was left unsold after an auction in 2014. It does not support the use of the 28 GHz band for 5G. Read more...

France's four main mobile network operators (MNOs) have all started testing 5G in the 3.5 GHz band, and consultations are underway on the 26 GHz band. The government's "new deal" with the MNOs has been hailed as an innovative way to improve 4G coverage. Consolidation remains a strong possibility. Read more...

Japan will be hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020 and the country plans to use the event as a showcase for new technologies such as 5G. Japan is one of the countries interested in using 28 GHz for 5G, even though the band was not selected for further… Read more...

PolicyTracker's Research Service provides population density data in our database and this is shown in maps for the major economies. The list of maps and their notable features is contained in this Research Note.  Read more...