Sweden’s regulator PTS has assigned 700 MHz spectrum amid controversy, and has plans to assign 2.3 and 3.4-3.8 GHz spectrum for 5G. Spectrum will be available for commercial 5G launches in Sweden in 2020. Read more...

Italy has completed a multi-band auction in low-, mid- and high-frequency bands, 700 MHz, 3.6-3.8 MHz and 26 GHz, and has become the first nation in Europe to assign and define rules for the use of spectrum in all three pioneer 5G spectrum bands. Read more...

The Indian operator is frequently name-checked as a model for successfully breaking into a mobile market with its straight-to-4G, data-only strategy. But Reliance Jio Infocomm looks like a one-off: finding another visionary, billionaire backer like Mukesh Ambani, willing to invest a significant chunk of his capital in spectrum and infrastructure… Read more...

Small cells are central to many 5G business cases. Regulatory conditions related to small cells will impact operator investment plans, costs and deployment timeframes. Based on an extensive literature review, there is surprisingly limited evidence of national regulations specifically addressing small cells. 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...

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...

With the 600 MHz incentive auction now complete, US regulator the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is trying to accelerate the development of 5G. Read more...