Luxembourg-based Cube Infrastructure Managers could receive €100m from the European Investment Bank for helping to invest in connectivity projects across the EU. Read more...

Romania’s telecoms regulator has released its action plan for 2017 which states that it will launch consultations on awarding spectrum for broadband services in the 450 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 1500 MHz, 2600 MHz and 3.4–3.8 GHz bands. Read more...

PolicyTracker has put together a selection of the best 5G comments we heard last year. You'll find no references to the fourth industrial revolution, game-changing innovation or the ever-rocketing data demands of the mobile industry. However, we hope it provides a snapshot of policymakers' and industry views as they evolved… Read more...

The European Commission had proposed making BEREC an EU institution, but the body has responded by saying this could create more cost and bureaucracy while also possibly restricting the independence of national regulators. Read more...

In an apparent change of strategy for Dutch spectrum auctions, the Minister for Economic Affairs Henk Kamp has proposed attaching coverage obligations to licences assigned in the country's 700 MHz auction. Read more...

New Zealand's regulator is inviting feedback on the draft version of its plan for 2017-2021. The document provides an overview of the areas of growth and development in spectrum management, reviews emerging wireless technologies impacting on the use of spectrum and outlines the RSM work programme for 2017-2021. Read more...

Orange's senior executive VP for innovation, marketing and technologies says the industry needs to offer "emblematic" services if it is to convince customers that 5G is worth buying. Meanwhile, the head of the Commission’s connectivity unit has revealed details of CEPT’s study schedule for 3.5 GHz. Read more...

New Zealand's spectrum regulator says it is monitoring international developments in sharing approaches, but thinks enough spectrum is available in the country for the time being. Read more...

The Belgian regulator BIPT has launched a consultation on possible uses for the E-GSM-R band, either for railways or Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The 870-876 MHz and 915-921 MHz bands are currently not in use in Belgium, although they are used in neighbouring countries such as Germany and Luxembourg… Read more...

PTS is carrying out a feasibility study on the use of 2.3 GHz (2300-2400 MHz) for mobile broadband. The regulator cites "international developments and a well developed ecosystem around the band" as supporting its view that the band should be made available to mobile operators. Programme making and special events… Read more...