Spectrum

Our mission is to ensure mobile operators have timely and affordable access to appropriate spectrum. Without it, mobile operators can’t meet the growing demand for high-speed, mobile broadband services with good coverage in all parts of the world.


5G Spectrum

5G Spectrum – GSMA Public Policy Position
The GSMA’s key 5G spectrum positions focus on the areas where governments, regulators and the mobile industry should cooperate to make this next-generation network technology a success.

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Mobile Networks for Industry Verticals – Spectrum Best Practice
How can governments and regulators develop spectrum policies that support mobile networks for verticals without negatively impacting commercial 5G services? This position paper details best practice.

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3.5 GHz in the 5G Era – Preparing for New Services in 3.3-4.2 GHz
The 3.5 GHz range the closest thing we have today to a globally harmonised 5G band. Therefore, regulators that want to set the stage for successful 5G rollouts should, as a first step, license 80-100 MHz of contiguous spectrum per operator.

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5G TDD Synchronisation – Guidelines and Recommendations
The ultimate performance of 5G depends on many technical and regulatory factors. Focusing on the 3.5 GHz range, the GSMA takes a closer look at why TDD synchronisation is one of these factors, and why it is so important.

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26 GHz and 28 GHz for 5G – The growing momentum behind millimetre wave spectrum
The combination of 5G and millimetre waves pioneer a new level of mobile performance with ultra-high speeds and low latencies. The 28 GHz band is already used for commercial services. For 26 GHz, global identifications at WRC-19 mean regulators can now consider a mobile assignment knowing there will be an ecosystem in place.

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Capacity to Power Innovation – 5G in the 6 GHz Band
The future of 5G depends on access to mid-band spectrum. To secure 5G performance in the long-term more capacity is needed, and 6 GHz is a prime candidate.

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The economics of mmWave 5G
In this study, GSMA Intelligence evaluates the cost effectiveness of deploying millimetre wave (mmWave) 5G solutions in six different scenarios. The results have clear implications; countries that underestimate the role of mmWave in the short term run the risk of finding themselves at a disadvantage.

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Wireless backhaul spectrum – 4G and 5G evolution
High wireless backhaul spectrum prices are a real barrier to 4G and 5G evolution, and this includes improved coverage. For countries that want to encourage the roll out of mobile broadband, reform of backhaul should be a priority.

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5G Backhaul Spectrum – GSMA Public Policy Position
The GSMA’s position paper on spectrum for wireless backhaul highlights how governments and regulators can help drive 5G rollouts in the short- and long term. Important issues include access to new frequencies, licensing conditions, and spectrum prices.

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5G Spectrum – Regional Deep Dives

How spectrum will shape the outlook for 5G in Russia
This deep-dive from GSMA Intelligence examines the outlook for 5G in Russia and sets it against the context of 5G adoption globally. It outlines forecasts for 5G uptake in Russia and the expected economic benefits that 5G will bring to the country.

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Roadmaps for awarding 5G spectrum in the MENA region
This report looks at 5G spectrum needs across the MENA region. It sets out a roadmap and provides recommendations, to help governments and regulators enable 5G in the most efficient way possible.

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5G and the 3.5 GHz Range in Latin America
This report offers and in-depth look at how the 3.5 GHz range can unlock 5G’s massive potential across Latin America. As the region moves forward with licensing the range, it offers recommendations on issues such as spectrum availability and pricing.

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The Impacts of mmWave 5G in India
mmWave spectrum in particular will play a crucial role in enabling the high-speed and ultra-low-latency in India for sectors such manufacturing. Between 2025–2040, GSMA Intelligence estimates that mmWave-enabled will deliver $150 billion in additional GDP for India.

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WRC-23

WRC-23 Overview
WRC-23 is a chance to build on previous conference achievements by identifying spectrum for expanding the availability of affordable 5G services and ensure future growth. This overview look at the Agenda Items that will help make that happen.

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Low-bands at WRC-23
Mobile spectrum capacity below 1 GHz can lower the digital divide between urban and rural areas and help improve digital equality. The future of the range is one of the topics at WRC-23.

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Spectrum pricing and licensing

Spectrum Pricing – GSMA Public Policy Position
In the 5G era, spectrum pricing continues to be a hot topic. In an updated position paper, the GSMA highlights best practice for countries that want to drive affordable world-class connectivity for everyone and everything.

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Mobile Networks for Industry Verticals – GSMA Public Policy Position
The development of new mobile technologies alongside the cloud, big data and machine learning are transforming how vertical industries can operate. This updated position paper looks at how policymakers can play a vital role by managing the spectrum which underpins these developments.

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Impact of Spectrum Prices on Consumers
This report confirms that countries with poor spectrum policies – which either inflate spectrum or delay spectrum assignments – are leading to millions of people being left unable to access mobile broadband services or experiencing reduced network quality.

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Driving the Digital Revolution With Improved Mobile Coverage – GSMA Public Policy Position
Increasing access to the internet is one of the great challenges of our time. The GSMA’s position paper on coverage addresses issues such as spectrum availability and pricing; license terms and conditions; infrastructure sharing; and state interventions.

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Effective Spectrum Pricing in Africa – How Successful Awards Can Help Drive Mobile Connectivity
This spectrum pricing report pricing report takes a look at this important topic in Africa. Spectrum licensing and pricing, in particular, can play a crucial role in accelerating the adoption of mobile services and providing better networks and services for consumers.

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Legacy mobile network rationalisation – Experiences of 2G and 3G migrations in Asia-Pacific
Mobile operators worldwide are exploring opportunities to deploy 4G and 5G technologies by re-using spectrum currently supporting 2G and 3G services. Drawing on experiences from across the Asia-Pacific region, a new report from the GSMA takes an in-depth look at a very important topic.

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Spectrum Sharing

Spectrum Sharing – GSMA Public Policy Position
The GSMA’s updated spectrum sharing positions offer guidance for regulators that want to support innovative and affordable mobile services.

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