by Toby Youell
US President Calvin Coolidge famously said that "the business of America is business". This is certainly the case for spectrum trading. The United States possesses the only significant spectrum market with any real liquidity. The reasons for this pro-trade culture is subject to debate. Several companies have procured spectrum from… Read more...
by Toby Youell
Globally, similar factors are drive growing interest in private networks. Industry and/or local communities are looking to benefit from wireless technology, and telecom companies are increasingly well-equipped to help them do so. But while the factors driving growth in private networks may be harmonised, the available spectrum is not. According… Read more...
by Toby Youell
Despite all of the controversy surrounding identifying spectrum for mobile broadband above 24 GHz, most of the recent 5G deployments have been in the mid-band frequencies, specially around 3.5 GHz. Earlier this year, acting FCC Commissioner, Jessica Rosenworcel, praised the FCC's pivot from high-bands to mid-bands. But as we document… Read more...
by Toby Youell
The Netherlands' centuries-long taming of the North Sea has made its people expert at civil engineering and social cooperation. But while it may be able to build cities and airports below sea level, it has not been able to solve another problem: how to allow satellite and mobile services to… Read more...
by Toby Youell
A common cliche is that history repeats itself. Radio spectrum, of course, is no exception. A decade ago the digitisation of terrestrial television created a digital dividend: more low-band spectrum available for mobile broadband, particularly for emerging 4G services. This prompted a wave of 800 MHz band auctions. Many countries,… Read more...
by Toby Youell
The C-Band (3.3 - 4.2 GHz) is almost universally acknowledged as the major mid-band 5G frequency. But despite this agreement, there are infinite shades of difference regarding how, and how much of the spectrum is made available. Some countries award the spectrum to mobile operators on a nationwide basis, but… Read more...
by Toby Youell
Unlike many countries, the head of the US regulator for commercial spectrum, the FCC, is directly appointed by the President. This means that each change of Administration results in a new Chair. The last Chair, Ajit Pai, took an energetic approach to spectrum management. He quickly implemented the 600 MHz… Read more...
by Toby Youell
The C-Band, comprising frequencies around 3.5 GHz, are widely considered crucial for 5G networks. Canada's nationwide operators, only able to bid on a limited portion of the 3450 - 3650 MHz, competed aggressively this Summer and ended up paying an average of $2.61/MHz/POP, a new record for the band. The… Read more...
by Toby Youell
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many holiday-makers to cancel foreign holidays and stick to domestic "staycations". But two billionaires in the last month have foregone foreign trips altogether and chosen "space tourism" instead. Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos trips to space are emblematic of wider excitement about the satellite industry. Back… Read more...
by Toby Youell
One of the side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the postponement of many sporting events. The 2020 Olympics, for example, will take place this Summer 2021. Probably. During initial preparations for 5G, both the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo were… Read more...