Spectrum Blog

Stay informed on the latest Spectrum news and insights from our team of industry experts.

Private Fashion: Vertical Set-Asides Versus Spectrum Capacity for Operators

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Private networks are an integral part of 5G, enabling industrial applications, logistics hubs, local campus networks and many more. However, private networks do not equal private spectrum. Asymmetric carve-outs are an aggressive regulatory tool that has a huge economic cost.

Digital Switchover: Unlocking Additional Low Bands in Emerging Markets

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This article is part of the Spectrum Policy Trends 2023 report. Download the full report for a handy compilation of the top six spectrum policy trends for 2023. Digital switchover (DSO) – the process of moving from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT) ...

New Spectrum for 5G: Adding Up the Mid-Band Maths

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2 GHz of mid-band spectrum will be required per market, on average, by 2030 to ensure the speed and quality of mobile, but there is no easy decision to be made as to how to satisfy that demand.

WRC-23: A Decisive Year for 5G Spectrum Allocation

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The ITU’s quadrennial World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), taking place from 20 November - 15 December, will gather national administrations and telecom industry members to review and update the global use of radio frequencies.

Rwanda reverses decision to depend on a Single Wholesale Network

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Rwanda has reversed its decision to depend on a Single Wholesale Network for 4G, 5G and future technologies, through a new broadband policy which opens the door for better 4G penetration in all parts of the country and the launch of 5G in future.

Digital Switchover in Sub-Saharan Africa

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A successful Digital switchover (DSO) is vital as countries seek to maximise the economic value of their national spectrum assets.

Mid-band 5G spectrum crucial to economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

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Recent data from GSMA Intelligence has shown the importance of mid-band mobile spectrum to the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) economy by modelling the specific economic impact of 5G using mid-band spectrum.

Mid-band 5G spectrum crucial to economic growth in the Asia Pacific

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A recent data from GSMA Intelligence shows, for the first time, the specific economic impact of 5G using mid-band spectrum. The Asia-Pacific region is an early leader in 5G development and will use 5G connectivity as a powerful driver of GDP growth throughout the ...

Chile 6 GHz 5G decision follows global trend

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Chile's Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications has opened the door to using 6 GHz for 5G, reversing an earlier decision to make the whole band (5925-7125 MHz) available for Wi-Fi.

Spectrum roadmaps for 5G: Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam

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A clear spectrum roadmap for 5G, setting out forward-looking plans for spectrum supply and taking account of emerging spectrum needs, technological evolution and international developments, is essential.

5G gets boost in Kenya with successful spectrum assignment

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5G is taking its first steps in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, and with a successful mid-band assignment Kenya is positioning the country as a pioneer. But to maximise 5G’s socio-economic benefits, more spectrum is needed in the coming years. The last couple of years has ...

Successful 5G auction will bring India a bright digital future

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Thanks to a successful multi-band auction, 5G in India has taken a big step forward. The country’s mobile operators have been assigned mid- and high band spectrum to roll-out world-class 5G networks, with innovative services across a range of sectors that will maximise ...

Mobile 360 APAC: Building digital nations through affordable connectivity

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Spectrum was a prominent topic at the recent Mobile 360 APAC event on 2-3 August in Singapore. Participants from governments, regulatory bodies and the mobile industry engaged in lively discussions and exchanged views on the major spectrum policy topics impacting the future ...

The Maths of Mid-Band Spectrum

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Pressure on mid-band spectrum is increasing and governments are looking for answers as to how to satisfy demand for 5G.

Vision 2030: Spectrum Needs for 5G

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As part of our work to provide government and industry with a clear picture of the requirements of 5G, the GSMA has carried out analysis of the spectrum needs across low, mid- and high bands.

Panama reduced the price of spectrum by more than 60%: what does it mean for users?

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Last April, the Panamanian Cabinet Council approved the assignment of additional spectrum in AWS (1710-2170 MHz), a key band for 4G in the majority of Latin America. The body also authorised the National Public Services Authority (ASEP) to adjust the spectrum valuation ...

Mid-band 5G spectrum crucial to economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa

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5G is developing across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The Gulf countries have acted as 5G pioneers and their governments and regulators have awarded 5G launch spectrum for mobile operators to deploy some of the world’s first and fastest 5G networks. Looking beyond ...

Mid-band 5G spectrum crucial to economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean

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5G take-up will accelerate in the second half of the 2020s in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), with mid-band 5G expected to contribute US$41bn to the regional economy in 2030, or 0.50% of GDP.

5G Spectrum roadmaps in Asia Pacific: defining future connectivity through strategic planning

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Mobile’s ability to enhance productivity and develop economic prosperity is constantly evolving. Roughly every 10 years a new generation of mobile technology comes along, bringing fundamental improvements to mobile networks but also new challenges for spectrum management. ...

Mid-band 5G spectrum crucial to economic growth in North America

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North America is an early leader in 5G development and will use 5G connectivity as a powerful driver of GDP growth throughout the decade, reaching US$122bn in 2030.