Iran’s third cellular license awarded for the fourth time

The long-running saga of finding a third cellular operator for Iran has taken a new turn. The license has been awarded to a local company which had previously won it in consortium with an overseas partner only to see it revoked. 

Read the full article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/iran2019s-third-cellular-license-awarded-for-the-fourth-time

Momentum builds for Chinese-backed TDD mobile standard

Commercial and Chinese government interests are ramping up efforts to clear the way for TDD mobile technologies in UHF. Their favoured TD-SCDMA standard should now be available in over two hundred Chinese cities with a drive underway to introduce it in other markets ranging from Korea to Ghana. 

Read the full article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/momentum-builds-for-chinese-backed-tdd-mobile-standard

Understanding Modern Spectrum Management: A five day residential training course 

22 - 26 March 2010, Merton College, Oxford

Revised and updated for 2010!

Download new brochure here: https://www.policytracker.com/UMSM_Mar_10_brochure

New consultation:

Public consultation on the draft RSPG Work Programme 2010 (Dec 21, 2009- Jan 21, 2010) Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG)

Row over German digital dividend auction defused for the time being

The German regulator has agreed to ensure its upcoming auction of former analogue TV spectrum does not harm competition, but the European Commission remains wary. 

Read the full article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/row-over-german-digital-dividend-auction-defused-for-the-time-being

Ministers support next stage of digital dividend harmonisation/Reding gives parting message

The EU Telecoms Council has invited Brussels to produce a technical plan for harmonising the use of mobile services in 790-862 MHz but emphasised the right of Member States to use the band as they see fit. And in an unofficial parting message to her successor Commissioner Viviane Reding has said digital dividend spectrum should be auctioned and made “open access”. 

Read the full article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/ministers-support-next-stage-of-digital-dividend-harmonisation

A date for your diary: 22 - 26 March 2010 

The Understanding Modern Spectrum Management residential training course will be running again at Merton College, Oxford

The programme has been revised and updated for 2010

Download the new brochure here: https://www.policytracker.com/UMSM_Mar_10_brochure

New consultation:

Applying spectrum pricing to the Aeronautical sector (Dec 22, 2009- Mar 22, 2010) Ofcom , UK

Ofcom to create 6.8 GHz block of license-exempt spectrum

UK regulator Ofcom has published a decision to create a large, contiguous block of unlicensed spectrum from 57 to 64 GHz for Fixed Wireless Systems (FWS) despite opposition from some stakeholders. 

Read the full article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/ofcom-to-create-6.8-ghz-block-of-license-exempt-spectrum

France awards fourth 3G license

Despite attempts by the incumbent operators to block the award, France’s fourth 3G license has now been awarded to the only participant in the beauty contest. 

Read the full article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/france-awards-fourth-3g-license

Stockholm and Oslo get world’s first commercial LTE service

Scandinavian operator TeliaSonera has taken the telecoms industry by surprise by launching the first LTE networks, in Stockholm and Oslo, ahead of schedule. 

Read the full article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/stockholm-and-oslo-get-world2019s-first-commercial-lte-service

LTE in digital dividend likely to interfere with cable

As concerns mount over potential interference with cable and digital receivers by mobile applications in the 800 MHz band, the European Commission announced it will launch its own tests to determine the scope of the problem. 

Read the full article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/mobile-in-digital-dividend-likely-to-interfere-with-cable

Enhanced role for Radio Spectrum Policy Group

European telecommunications regulatory reform will boost the profile of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group, incoming Chairman Roberto Viola said. Its top job under the new regime will be to help shape an EU spectrum policy designed to last several years. 

Read the full article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/enhanced-role-for-radio-spectrum-policy-group

Our recent story on the South African 2.6Ghz auction has been updated to include links to the relevant documents from the government's official journal. See last line of article below:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/south-african-hybrid-auction-proposal-needs-reworking-stakeholders-say

Thailand gets 3G Lite as commercial auction is pushed back

After years of edging ever closer Thailand finally has a 3G service, albeit one run by MVNOs over a state-owned network and limited to the capital Bangkok. Plans for auctioning commercial 2.1 GHz licenses are still up in the air. 

Read the full article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/thailand-gets-3g-lite-as-commercial-auction-is-pushed-back-again

South African hybrid auction proposal needs reworking, stakeholders say

ICASA's plan for assigning 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz has been criticized from all sides. Some say a beauty contest would be better while others say the two stage process lacks procedural detail. 

Read the full article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/south-african-hybrid-auction-proposal-needs-reworking-stakeholders-say

Former Competition Commissioner to be in charge of radio frequencies

Neelie Kroes rather than Viviane Reding is set to get the top job in telecoms. The portfolio which includes spectrum will be called “Digital Agenda” instead of “Information Society” 

Read the full article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/former-competition-commissioner-to-be-in-charge-of-radio-frequencies

Current consultations:

Comment sought on uses of spectrum - FCC is exploring market-based mechanisms for broadcasters to contribute excess spectrum to be used for wireless broadband. (Dec 03, 2009- Dec 21, 2009)  FCC , US

Comment sought on competitive bidding procedures for Auction 87 (Dec 01, 2009- Jan 07, 2010) FCC , US

Railways and RFID eye same small block of frequencies

Regulators and standards bodies are considering how to globally harmonise the expanding European RFID industry while helping the railway GSM network cope with interference. Both technologies want to use spectrum around 920 MHz, but sharing may be a possibility. 

Read the full article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/railways-and-rfid-eye-same-small-block-of-frequencies

Current consultations:

Comment sought on competitive bidding procedures for Auction 87 (Dec 01, 2009- Jan 07, 2010) FCC , US

Human EMF Exposure Limit Regulation (Nov 27, 2009- Dec 11, 2009) TRA , Lebanon

Assignment of the Available Frequency Spectrum in the 850 MHz, 900 MHz and 2 GHz Bands (Nov 20, 2009- Jan 20, 2010) OFTA , Hong Kong

Radio Spectrum Policy Group report on "cognitive technologies" (Nov 13, 2009- Dec 28, 2009) Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) , EU

Digital Dividend: Geolocation for Cognitive Access (Nov 17, 2009- Feb 09, 2010) Ofcom , UK

Consultation on a Direction to Ofcom to implement the Wireless Radio Spectrum Modernisation Programme (Oct 16, 2009- Jan 08, 2010) Department for Business, Innovation and Skills , UK

Zain forced to abandon takeover of Palestinian operator

The takeover of Palestinian incumbent fixed-line operator Paltel and its mobile subsidiary Jawwal by the rapidly growing Zain Group of Kuwait has suddenly and unexpectedly been abandoned.

Read the full article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/zain-forced-to-abandon-takeover-of-palestinian-operator