Microsoft remains a strong supporter of unlicensed spectrum, but favours a balanced policy that promotes the availability and efficient use of both licensed and unlicensed spectrum. Its unlicensed spectrum priorities are TV white spaces, millimetre wave, 6 GHz and 5 GHz. Read more...

China Mobile continues to operate the world's largest 4G network by number of subscribers, and now also provides Voice over LTE services in more than 300 cities. Under its "Big Connectivity" strategy it is focused on becoming a leader in the rollout of 5G technologies and standards. Read more...

German mobile operators are currently planning to deploy 5G in the 700 MHz band, which was auctioned in June 2015. They also expect to make use of spectrum in and surrounding the 3.5 GHz range. However, none has announced any firm 5G targets, or said much about 5G trials outside… Read more...

UK regulator Ofcom and the UK's four mobile network operators are actively preparing for the 5G era. However, Ofcom's plan to auction the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz bands could be held up by legal action. The 700 MHz band is due to be auctioned (lawyers permitting) by 2020. Read more...

Like the UK, France currently has four main mobile network operators - Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free - and their attempts to consolidate have come to nothing so far. The regulator, ARCEP, recently announced plans to release spectrum in the 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands for 5G. The… Read more...

5G trials are to launch in five Italian cities in 2018, with several operators planning to launch a commercial service by 2020. Most of the country's 5G efforts are focused on the 3.4-3.8 GHz band. Read more...

India's huge potential as a 5G market looks likely to remain untapped for some time. Operators are still struggling to improve access to 4G and few 5G tests are under way. Read more...

After what seemed to many like a long delay, Canada is now preparing to follow the US in auctioning spectrum in the 600 MHz band. Its government also launched a consultation this year on using spectrum in some higher bands for 5G. Read more...

Poland’s telecoms regulator UKE is in talks with its counterparts in Russia and Ukraine on releasing spectrum for 5G in the 700 MHz band, but its priority is to assign the 2.3-2.4 GHz and 3.4-3.8 GHz bands for 5G rollout. Read more...

Spain's regulator has launched a public consultation on 5G as part of its preparations for the next generation of mobile networks. Mobile operators have also started testing the technology that is expected to be a part of 5G. Read more...