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Spectrum thoughts
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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…

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…

PolicyTracker’s longest-running course, Understanding Modern Spectrum Management, boasts some of the leading thinkers in the field and the early bird price is available if you book this week. It is…

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…

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…

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…

Innovation often occurs in different places at roughly the same time. Electromagnetic induction, for example, was discovered in both Britain and the US independently in the early 19th century. Frequency-hopping…

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…

Auctions may have become the default way to assign spectrum, but the last quarter saw just as many beauty contests. A total of 11,076 MHz of changed or new entries…

Don't miss our Valuing the Spectrum online course immediately followed by the Spectrum Auctions Masterclass being held in the third week of October. These two-day courses are essential for anyone…

One of the clearest spectrum management trends in the last few years is the allocation of the 6 GHz band for licence-exempt/unlicensed services. With some notable exceptions (such as China),…

The Spectrum Research Service now includes a benchmarking section featuring international comparisons on key policy issues. We start with 6 GHz unlicensed, an area of intense policy activity, following the…

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…

Spectrum managers have typically valued international coordination. Not only do radio emissions not respect borders, but a single country cannot possibly demand enough radio equipment to push down prices to…

What is the best way of ensuring that vertical industries can get access to 5G spectrum? That is a difficult question which may not have a one-size-fits-all answer. Is the…