Consultation: Consultation on candidate bands under consideration at WRC-07 for IMT

Spectrum requirements for the future development of advanced mobile wireless communications systems (or IMT) being discussed at at ITU 2007 World Radio Conference. Ofcom's proposals include: supporting efforts to keep the IMT-Advanced family as open and flexible as possible; making spectrum identified as generic as possible; supporting changing existing identifications from IMT-2000 to IMT to foster greater flexibility.

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http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=521

Consultation: Consultation on mobile television

Prior to offering licences for mobile television this consultation seeks views on spectrum allocation, likely services and the best economic model.

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http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=520

Surge of interest in using 60GHz for in-home devices

The high data rates available at 60GHz are being proposed as the
ideal solution for wirelessly connecting to high definition TVs. But
will this complement UWB or be a competitor?

The unlicensed and lightly-utilised 60 GHz spectrum band is becoming
the focus of increasing attention from the telecoms and consumer
electronics industries, standards bodies and regulators as new
technologies make using it for in-home multi-gigabit wireless
connectivity a viable economic proposition.

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http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=517

Flexibility: what we can do now

Flexibility: what we can do now

A Commission Communication gives a four point plan for implementing technology and service neutrality in the broadcasting, mobile and wireless broadband frequencies as soon as possible.

Having indicated that spectrum will be at the centre of the review of the Framework Directive the European Commission has turned its attention to the immediate future. Any revisions to the Framework Directive won't come into force until 2010 so the Commission has issued a Communication explaining what it intends to do before then to make spectrum policy more flexible.

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http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=516

Consultation: Discussion documents on the award of available spectrum in the 1452-1492MHz band

Comments invited on proposals relating to auction design and
technical conditions for the award of spectrum in 1452-1492MHz (L-band). Substantial interest is expected in the auction as the band can be used for mobile TV.

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http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=513

Replacing the GSM Directive heralds a period of delicate negotiation

Replacing the GSM Directive heralds a period of delicate negotiation

Some European countries are pushing ahead with 2G refarming while those where Hutchinson is a 3G operator fear legal action and wait nervously until next month when an announcement on replacing the GSM directive is expected.

On an Europe-wide basis the European conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) Electronic Communications Committee released an EEC Decision on December 1, 2006, which read, in part: "The frequency bands 880-915 MHz, 925-960 MHz, 1710-1785 MHz and 1805-1880 MHz, in line with the WAPECS concept and as a first step, are designated for terrestrial IMT-2000/UMTS systems, subject to market demand and national licensing schemes".

Read the full details at: http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=512

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MEPs to debate spectrum policy later today

A controversial committee report seen as a crucial test of political
opinion on the spectrum policy proposals contained in the Framework
Review is being discussed in the European Parliament this evening.

The Industry Committee report on spectrum policy has emerged as a key
battleground between liberalisers and broadcasters. The draft version
of the report, produced in November 2006, was supportive of the
European Commission's liberalisation agenda, arguing in favour of
technology and service neutrality as well as spectrum trading.

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http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=510

New initiative expects to release public spectrum within 18 months

Tests are underway in the UK to determine whether commercial
companies can share spectrum currently used by the military and other
public bodies.

New mobile and wireless applications are ever hungry for radio
spectrum. Published in 2005, the UK Treasury sponsored the
"Independent Audit of Spectrum Holdings," which looked at frequencies
held by public bodies like the military. Commonly known as the Cave
Audit, after its author, Professor Martin Cave, it is proving a
catalyst for change.

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http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=509

Preparations for WRC-07 get underway

Mobile players are on the look out for 4G spectrum while satellite
operators are worried about terrestrial operators encroaching into
their territory.

For many in the spectrum management and telecoms sectors, 2007 will
be dominated by the preparations for a single event: the World
Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07). The Conference Preparatory
Meeting (CPM), a key stage in the build-up, begins on 19 February and
will last until 2 March.

Read the full details at:
http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=508

Industry frustration mounts with Ofcom mobile TV plans

The UK regulator has confirmed that a potential single frequency DVB-
H network won't come up for auction for 18 months. Ofcom says this
will give operators the opportunity to bid for larger chunks of
spectrum.

Senior UK industry figures say they are disappointed with regulator
Ofcom's proposal to auction the block of spectrum known as Channel 36
no sooner than mid-2008. In the digital dividend review, published
shortly before Christmas, Ofcom proposes to clear Channel 36 of its
existing use – airport radar – and to auction the spectrum in the
second half of 2008, alongside other spectrum cleared as the analogue
signal is switched off. According to the regulator, this reflects the
time needed for obtaining international agreement for alternative use
of Channel 36 and for moving the existing radar services to new
spectrum.

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http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=506

February printed issue available for download

Our themes this month are the mood at the ITU's biggest spectrum
policy conference for years; progress at the Cameroon meeting on
WiMAX/IMT-2000; and preparations for WRC-07.

There is also in-depth coverage of the MEP's report on spectrum
liberalisation which will be debated in the European Parliament this
month. We talk to Fiona Hall, the MEP who drafted the report, and
Phil Laven, Technical Director of the European Broadcasting Union.

Read the full details at:
http://www.policytracker.com/alerts.php?tact=505