There is ongoing momentum around the world as regulators continue to earmark unlicensed or lightly-licensed frameworks spectrum for shared use by localised private networks. The same holds true for unlicensed 6 GHz policy implementations and expanded sharing arrangements in the lower 6 GHz range. A more recent development pertains to… Read more...

WRC-27 is set to consider three spectrum ranges for IMT identifications. All three ranges house a number of incumbent users – notably satellite, fixed and military and other critical services  – and are subject to extensive usage in many nations. The prospects for IMT sharing of the bands are uncertain… Read more...

Nokia prioritises harmonised spectrum for 5G and beyond. While Nokia is not opposed to unlicensed use of the lower 6 GHz range, it argues that regulatory decisions on the upper 6 GHz band should be deferred until after WRC-23. Nokia sees WRC-23 as a key juncture in the identification of… Read more...

Qualcomm regards 5G and Wi-Fi networks as complementary, requiring additional spectrum – both licensed and unlicensed. It stresses the need for additional lower mid-band spectrum for mobile services, while it supports the unlicensed use of the entire 6 GHz band. In January 2023, Qualcomm announced its plans to move into… Read more...

Meta Platforms, formerly Facebook, is a key supporter of unlicensed spectrum, notably in the 6 GHz and 60 GHz bands and for dedicated use by private networks. It is also a keen advocate of spectrum sharing. Read more...

Google has extensive experience in cloud-based spectrum sharing in the CBRS 3.5 GHz band and is now positioned as an automated frequency coordination (AFC) system operator in the 6 GHz band in the US. The company is a key supporter of unlicensed mid-band spectrum, along with unlicensed 60 GHz. As… Read more...

AFC, or automated frequency coordination, will enable spectrum sharing in the 6 GHz band starting in North America, with the prospect of appearing in other regions as well as other bands. Read more...

This research note examines the current status of different approaches to spectrum sharing. Its focus is on policy approaches that target the use of spectrum in a given band on both an intra-operator and intra-service basis. Read more...

Commercial service in the CBRS band started in early 2020, initially limited to the unlicensed GAA (general authorised access) part of the band. Priority access licensees were permitted to start using their licences in April 2021. Read more...

Intel considers that Wi-Fi is both critical and complementary to licensed 5G/IMT-2020 services and it supports unlicensed policy approaches for 6 GHz and 60 GHz spectrum. Intel supports flexible-use spectrum allocations which facilitate current and future innovation. Read more...