by Dianne Northfield
In 2026, vendors are focused on advancing their agendas for the future use of Upper 6 GHz spectrum and shoring up their positions on key IMT and satellite-related WRC-27 Agenda Items. While vendors typically agree that 6G will use existing and new spectrum resources, their positions vary on current and… Read more...
by Dianne Northfield
Cisco supports multiple spectrum management models, including licensed, lightly licensed, unlicensed and shared spectrum, to meet the diverse needs of different users and use cases, including IoT and private networks. While supporting the allocation of new frequencies to mobile services, Cisco strongly advocates for the use of the upper 6… Read more...
by Dianne Northfield
Samsung supports a wide range of spectrum, including low-, mid- and high-band, enabling tailored 5G deployments for different environments and operator requirements. It prioritises the availability of full-power, licensed spectrum suitable for wide-area mobile broadband networks. Samsung argues that additional spectrum assignment to support both licence-exempt and licensed mobile spectrum… Read more...
by Dianne Northfield
Qualcomm argues that additional spectrum for both exclusively licensed 5G and 6G operations and unlicensed use cases is needed to support growing demands and generational mobile technology advances. It considers that the emergence of 6G opens the door to transformative opportunities across all spectrum bands — low, mid and high… Read more...
by Dianne Northfield
Nokia prioritises the release of individually licensed spectrum for high-power terrestrial mobile operations with nationwide usage rights. It also supports innovative spectrum management through policies supporting managed shared spectrum, unlicensed spectrum and spectrum for use by vertical industries. Nokia urges regulators to defer decisions on Upper 6 GHz sharing until… Read more...
by Dianne Northfield
With interests in both 5G/6G and Wi-Fi connectivity, Intel has a long history of supporting spectrum allocations for use by both licensed (e.g., 5G/6G) and unlicensed (e.g., Wi-Fi) technologies. Given the global unlicensed equipment ecosystem, Intel argues that countries should aim to make bands like the 5925-7125 MHz range available… Read more...
by Dianne Northfield
Microsoft has a "multi-technology and multi-frequency approach" which translates to interests in spectrum across a wide range of bands. Microsoft is also a strong supporter of unlicensed and shared spectrum policies. In February 2026, Microsoft announced a new collaboration with SpaceX’s Starlink combining low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity with community-based deployment… Read more...
by Dianne Northfield
PolicyTracker’s private network benchmark now includes nine countries in the Americas that have assigned or plan to assign spectrum for use by private networks, representing 13% of all benchmark countries. Read more...
by Dianne Northfield
While dynamic spectrum sharing is a subject of intense discussion and examination in regulatory, research, technical and industry fora – it remains a concept "with potential" with no generalised technology and band-agnostic practical solutions on the horizon. Progress is slow and the prospects and processes for a shift from static… Read more...
by Dianne Northfield
Current spectrum sharing frameworks have limitations. The challenges associated with present-day spectrum sharing are manifold. They span technical, economic, regulatory, political and national security dimensions that are exacerbated by strongly opposed views for or against sharing. Read more...