Defence ministries around the world control a significant amount of spectrum. Thanks to advances in spectrum sharing, there is an opportunity to share some of these frequencies with commercial users, particularly from the mobile industry. But are defence users willing allies? Read more...

PolicyTracker’s 2023 country profiles cover Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Sweden, the UK and the US. In this overview we analyse their spectrum release plans; approach to 6 GHz; policy on private networks; and plans for 6G. Read more...

Amid the woes of the "Big Tech" companies in 2022, including wide-scale layoffs and project scale-backs, in 2023, Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft continue to advance spectrum policy agendas across an array of spectrum bands and sectors. Spectrum sharing and unlicensed spectrum are high on the spectrum policy agendas of… Read more...

Microsoft is continuing its march into both the 5G (including private 5G) and telco spaces. In addition to its long-standing support for unlicensed spectrum and spectrum sharing, Microsoft has upped its stakes in the satellite sector, meaning that its interest in spectrum availability for satellite operators also becomes a policy… Read more...

Now present in 54 countries, Starlink is a high-speed, low-latency broadband network using NGSO LEOs to provide broadband connectivity globally. Starlink satellites are using spectrum resources in the Ka- Ku- and V-bands. Starlink also has plans to use E-Band spectrum for communications between satellites and gateways and V2 Mini satellites.… Read more...

Amazon’s Project Kuiper’s first-generation LEO constellation will use frequencies in the Ka-band to provide fixed and mobile satellite services (MSS and FSS). Amazon is also seeking permission from US regulator the FCC to use V- and Ku-band spectrum. In February 2023, Amazon received final approval from the FCC for its… Read more...

After decades of developing and operating its geosynchronous orbit-based satellite services business, Telesat has commenced the development of a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and integrated terrestrial infrastructure known as Telesat Lightspeed. Ka-band spectrum is of particular importance to both Telesat’s GEO and LEO programs. It also plans… Read more...

EchoStar Corporation is a global provider of satellite communication solutions through its Hughes Network Systems, EchoStar Satellite Services and EchoStar Mobile business segments. In 2023, EchoStar is focused on its S-band expansion plans, IoT, hybrid satellite-terrestrial solutions and the upcoming launch of its Jupiter 3 satellite planned in Q2 2023. Read more...

As we near WRC-23, vendor positions on IMT and mobile-related Agenda Items vary – particularly in relation to the 6 GHz band and bands identified for IMT studies and consideration at WRC-23. As vendors contemplate 6G, they are also laying out future spectrum priorities. Meanwhile, Apple, Qualcomm and Samsung have… Read more...

Apple argues that regulators should adopt a "balanced" approach in assigning both licensed and licence-exempt spectrum. It supports unlicensed use of the entire 6 GHz band. Apple is also moving into the satellite connectivity space through an agreement with Globalstar. Read more...