Friday, March 27, 2009

Deal at last on reforming the GSM Directive

EU institutions this week reached tentative agreement which would finally allow the deployment of UMTS and other technologies in the 900 MHz GSM band. UMTS could be given the green light today. 

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Thursday, March 26, 2009

T-Mobile withdraws from UK 2.6 GHz legal challenge

Only one mobile operator, 02, is now pursuing the legal action which has blocked the auction of 2.6 Ghz in the UK. 

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

US cognitive white space access: major hurdles still to clear

Although the rules which allow cognitive access to US TV white space came into effect this month and the companies involved have agreed to set up a database, considerable obstacles remain. Broadcasters have launched an appeal, the mandatory technical standard has yet to be approved and there is no agreed business model for operating the database. 

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Monday, March 23, 2009

Swedish mobile operators reach amicable refarming agreement

Existing 900 Mhz license holders in Sweden have agreed among themselves to give spectrum to Three, which currently only holds 2.1 GHz spectrum. UK operators face an imposed solution unless they agree a similar deal by the end of April.

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Friday, March 20, 2009

28 GHz: spectrum trade a sign of maturing FWA market?

In the UK's first trade involving Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) spectrum for several years, Urban WiMax has bought a Greater London 28GHz license from Red-M. This is the last article in a series examining whether liberalisation has helped this band fulfil its potential. 

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

ICT study and conference for Swedish presidency

Sweden has commissioned a study to identify policy priorities in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) ahead of its presidency of the European Commission, which starts in July 2009.
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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

German government acts to resolve digital dividend dispute

The German Federal Cabinet has unveiled a broadband strategy that includes a compromise on allocation of “digital dividend” spectrum between broadcasters and mobile services. 

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Thursday, March 12, 2009

ITU participants tee-up new work in the science services

New ITU-R studies will focus on space communications and time and frequency information from navigation and satellite systems.

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Tuesday, March 10, 2009

UK call to use military band for IMT attracts interest

Spreading the idea of releasing 4.4 to 5.0 GHz from military use and hurdling NATO concerns could help fulfil government and industry interest in exploiting new spectrum opportunities for 4G and beyond. 

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Friday, March 06, 2009

Trade association formed for owners of liberalised spectrum in UK

The Commercial Spectrum Owners Association will campaign against unnecessary restrictions on spectrum usage and provide its members with a stronger voice in discussions with Ofcom. 

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Thursday, March 05, 2009

Obama nominates old friend to key role as FCC chairman

As had been widely predicted, US President Obama has nominated a key adviser, Julius Genachowski, as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Although the appointment is subject to congressional approval this is expected to be a formality. 

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Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Bumpy ride continues for 3G standards updates in ITU

Although there is now a draft text on the table that would incorporate TDD and FDD variants into the IMT standard ongoing opposition makes a speedy conclusion unlikely. 
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Monday, March 02, 2009

March 2009 printed issue available for download

Our top story this month is the UK move towards harmonising its digital dividend spectrum release with other European countries. While this has been welcomed by the mobile industry it raises new concerns for PMSE users.
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Also in this issue:  
Parliament and Commission push for harmonised digital dividend
The Commission and MEPs try to persuade governments
Regulator’s chairman campaigns for digital dividend spectrum release
EU spectrum advisory group head wants former analogue TV bands released
EU presidency proposes spectrum policy oversight
Member states may be prepared to compromise
UK mobile operators urged to reach GSM refarming agreement
Or the government will step in 
European regulators call for opening up of public sector spectrum
EU Radio Spectrum Policy Group proposes best practices for public sector spectrum
US Digital switchover postponed until June
Qualcomm is furious
UWB adds China to its global footprint
UWB is approved with immediate effect
The case of 28GHz in the UK
A liberalisation success story?