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...

While WRC-23 identified portions of the upper 6 GHz band for IMT, there is emergent consideration of sharing between Wi-Fi and IMT in the range. Spectrum sharing is also under investigation between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks underpinned by the need for 6G to be sharing native by design. Read more...

The mantra of spectrum management is the efficient use of scarce radio frequency resources. Over recent years, a number of regulators have sought to enable third party access to unused or under-utilised licensed spectrum resources. Notable examples of this activity are found in the UK, Australia and in several nations… Read more...

Countries in Africa continue to implement unlicensed 6 GHz policies in the 5925—6425 MHz range, while the Ivory Coast is considering licensed upper 6 GHz spectrum. While nations in the Americas have typically implemented unlicensed 6 GHz policies, there is also recent interest in licensed upper 6 GHz spectrum in… Read more...

Several nations in the Americas that have assigned spectrum for private networks are now planning to assign additional spectrum resources across a growing array of spectrum bands targeted for local use in the region. Brazil, Canada, Colombia and the US are also pursuing new spectrum sharing frameworks for third party… Read more...

While different stakeholders continue to lobby for and against spectrum set-asides for private networks, PolicyTracker’s updated private networks benchmark shows that a growing number of policy planners around the world are assigning dedicated spectrum resources. This Research Note highlights different stakeholder positions on set-asides and examines the policy objectives driving… Read more...

The past 12 months has seen the leading economies wrestling with a new policy issue—satellite direct-to-device services—as well as assigning mid-band spectrum and finalising positions on 6 GHz. Read more...

Telesat operates a GEO satellite fleet and plans to launch a LEO fleet in mid-2026, with the launch of commercial services planned in 2027. The LEO Lightspeed program has faced several delays although it now appears to be back on track. Ka-band spectrum is of particular importance to both Telesat’s… Read more...

Canada typically auctions licensed spectrum on a regional basis, most recently in the November 2023 award of spectrum in the 3.8 GHz range. It has opened the full 6 GHz band for unlicensed use and is implementing a non-competitive licensing (NCL) framework across several bands in support of localised private… Read more...

Nations in the Americas and Asia continue to implement unlicensed 6 GHz policies. In the Americas, the typical approach is to open the entire 6 GHz band for unlicensed use, whereas nations in Asia are focused on releasing the lower portion of the band from 5925 to 6425 MHz. This… Read more...