Many countries are investing heavily in 6G R&D programmes. R&D agendas are seeking to align with the ITU’s IMT-2030 framework and to feed into the ongoing 6G standardisation process. Many 6G R&D initiatives involve multi-year funding for public-private projects involving multiple organisations focused on building 6G platforms and developing 6G… 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...

Having auctioned multiple spectrum bands for mobile use, in 2024 the focus of policy planning in Italy is on preparing to extend rights of use in the 24.5—26.5 GHz range for wireless local loop (WLL). Decisions made at WRC-23 mean the 470—694 MHz range has been preserved for broadcasting until… Read more...

Vodafone calls itself the largest pan-European and African telecoms company, with 323 million mobile customers according to its FY23 annual report. It operates mobile and fixed networks in 17 countries, with stakes in another five countries through joint ventures and associates. It also partners with 46 countries outside its footprint,… Read more...

Thirty nations have assigned 26 GHz or 28 GHz spectrum or both, with ten of these nations planning further assignments. The majority of these assignments are in Asia (40%) and Europe (35%), although nations in all regions of the world are now looking to award spectrum in these high-bands. Read more...

PolicyTracker’s 2023 country profiles cover Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Sweden, the UK and the US. In this overview we analyse their spectrum release plans; approach to 6 GHz; policy on private networks; and plans for 6G. Read more...

Auction procedures have been used in Italy to assign usage rights for the 3.4 GHz, 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.6 GHz and L-Band and for 5G frequencies – 700 MHz, 3.6 GHz and 26 GHz. In 2023, policy planning is focused on the future use of the lower… Read more...

UK-headquartered Vodafone Group aims to "build a digital society that enhances socioeconomic progress, is inclusive for all and does not come at a cost to our planet". It has 323 million mobile customers and operates in 21 countries. It offers broadband, TV, Internet of Things, financial and other services. Its… Read more...

Upfront payments are criticised as a barrier to infrastructure investment, but what are the pros and cons of taking a staged approach? 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...