Thursday, May 31, 2007

Decision on WiMAX joining IMT-2000 goes to wire

As the ITU Working Party 8F meeting in Kyoto entered its final day, delegates would not be drawn on what progress, if any, had been made on the contentious question of getting WiMAX admitted to IMT2000.

At the last WP8F meeting in Cameroon in January this year, the pro-WiMAX lobby led by Intel Corp pushed for agreement on the inclusion of IP-OFDMA as a new IMT-2000 radio interface by the end of the Kyoto meeting.

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http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=564

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

MediaFLO presses for technology neutrality in mobile TV

The benefits of letting the market choose the best mobile TV technology are already evident in the US, says the FLO Forum.

The FLO forum which represents companies interested in the Qualcomm-developed MediaFLO technology, have hosted a regulatory seminar in Brussels to present the case for technology neutrality in the introduction of mobile TV services.

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http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=563

Friday, May 25, 2007

Satellite operators fear further UK liberalisation

Industry fears that the UK's plans for an important satellite frequency – due to be finalised in the next few weeks - could drive smaller operators out of the country

The band in question is 28GHz, an essential frequency for satellite broadband providers because it is used as a 'gateway' band to communicate with the satellites. Ofcom regard this as a under-used band which they want to auction in order to ensure the maximum use of the radio spectrum. They want to auction it in two national licences and three near-national licences later this year. It would be part of a series of auctions also including the 10 GHz and 32 GHz and 40 GHz bands, sold as tradeable, technology and application neutral licences with a £50,000 minimum bid.

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http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=562

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Financial institutions have no interest in spectrum trading

Spectrum trading may be the centrepiece of this summer's Framework Review and in place for two and a half years in the UK but still there is no sign of that essential ingredient for a dynamic market – interest from the financial institutions.

One consultant who has a vested interest in seeing a spectrum trading market develop and who did not want to be named, pointed out there is a big difference between wishing for something to happen and making it happen and at the moment the EC and Ofcom are in the wishing stage.

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http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=561

Friday, May 18, 2007

MPs back free market approach to released TV frequencies

An influential committee of the UK Parliament has rejected terrestrial broadcasters' calls to set aside digital dividend spectrum for HDTV but supported action to help wireless microphone users.

Ofcom wants to auction the frequencies released by digital switchover on a technology and application neutral basis. The Culture Media and Sport Select Committee had been lobbied heavily by broadcasters but its report on the <a href= http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmcumeds/509/509i.pdf>New Media and the Creative Industries</a> endorsed Ofcom's approach and concluded that "a persuasive case has yet been made to justify reserving spectrum." (p83)

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http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=560

Thursday, May 17, 2007

EU member states agree to set up improved spectrum database

The Europe-wide online portal giving information about spectrum use and ownership first proposed three years ago will not be complete until 2010

All EU countries will be required to provide detailed information on spectrum licences and the technical requirements for using frequency bands following a Commission Decision published this week. Brussels says this will stimulate investment in the wireless sector by providing a common European portal for information currently held in a variety of formats by national regulators.

Read the full details at:

http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=559

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Consultation: Consultation on RSC Work Programme 2007

The RSC is seeking views on its planned work programme for 2007, which includes harmonisation measures and on-going or new mandates and other issues. Interested parties are invited to comment by e-mailing infso-rsc@ec.europa.eu.

Read the full details at:

http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=558