UK unexpectedly set to be one of the first movers on IMT Advanced

The first "true 4G" standard has been set by the ITU and the first equipment ships this week. While the mobile operators are not in a position to take advantage of this, WiMAX operator UK Broadband plans to use its significant spectrum holdings to provide true 4G data capacity in the UK next year.

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/uk-unexpectedly-set-to-be-one-of-the-first-movers-on-imt-advanced

Mobile WiMAX likely to fade away but fixed version forges ahead

Despite a number of high profile setbacks, the WiMAX standard is far from dead. However, it seems increasingly likely that the handful of large-scale mobile WiMAX operations will be a stepping stone for the rapidly developing TD-LTE, which uses the same unpaired spectrum. 

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/mobile-wimax-likely-to-fade-away-but-fixed-version-forges-ahead

Broadband/broadcast fight over digital dividend spreads to Asia Pacific

Asian broadcasters disagree with the conclusions of a report commissioned by mobile operators' association the GSMA which advocates harmonisation of the 700 MHz digital dividend band across the Asia Pacific region. 

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/broadband-broadcast-fight-over-digital-dividend-spreads-to-asia-pacific

Operators sanguine about 2014 launch for LTE in the UK

The UK's mobile operators seem generally comfortable with the delayed release date of 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum announced by regulator Ofcom last week, even though it will probably delay the launch of 4G services until 2014. 

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/operators-sanguine-about-2014-launch-for-lte-in-the-uk

NTIA unveils plans for releasing 500 MHz

Eagerly awaited reports by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) detail how the US will make available 500 MHz of spectrum in the next 10 years, with 115 MHz fast-tracked for use by 2015. But the plan faces many hurdles, not least of which is whether the spectrum to be freed up is commercially useful.

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/ntia-unveils-plan-for-releasing-500-mhz

New Brazilian operators’ association takes legal action over auction

Sinditelebrasil, a trade body set up recently by Brazil's private telecoms operators, is taking regulator Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (Anatel) to court in a bid to change the rules of next month's auction of the one remaining national 3G licence.

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/new-brazilian-operators2019-association-takes-legal-action-over-auction

Cognitive techniques for PMSE offer spectrum solutions

As programme-making and special events (PMSE) equipment is increasingly squeezed out of the 800 MHz band to make way for wireless uses, some believe cognitive technologies can soften the blow. One potential solution may be "continuous phase modulation", which is said to offer digital sound transmission as implementation-friendly as analogue FM. 

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/cognitive-techniques-for-pmse

Armenia to pioneer LTE in the Caucasus

The independent former Soviet republic of Armenia is to become one of the first countries in Europe to launch a commercial LTE service following the recent award of 2.6 GHz spectrum to its leading mobile network operator. 

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/armenia-to-pioneer-lte-in-the-caucasus

Ofcom consults on geolocation issues

The UK regulator plans to enable use of "white spaces" in the 800 MHz digital TV band through the use of geolocation databases. But many questions remain unanswered, not least of which is how much it might cost Ofcom to create and run the databases. 

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/ofcom-consults-on-white-spaces

Minister’s reassurances deflect legal action on refarming

Everything Everywhere, the entity formed from the merger of T-Mobile and Orange in the UK, has withdrawn its threat of legal action following assurances from the Minister for Communications that UK regulator Ofcom's advice to allow quick refarming of GSM spectrum will not prejudice a competition assessment prior to an 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz auction. 

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/minister2019s-reassurances-deflect-legal-action-on-refarming

Danes ready for auctions in 2010 and 2011

The Danish regulator has set two 2010 dates for the auction of liberalised 410 MHz and 450 MHz licences, and is preparing for a 2011 auction of the 800 MHz digital dividend spectrum. 

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/danes-ready-for-auctions-in-2010-and-2011

Spanish mobile operators ask for faster refarming

Two of Spain's main telecoms operators have asked the government to bring forward the refarming of frequencies in the 900 MHz band. 

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/spanish-mobile-ask-for-faster-refarming

Canadian mobile operator calls for faster spectrum release

Canada's mobile operators, like those in other parts of the world, are eager to get their hands on much-needed spectrum.

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/canadian-mobile-operator-calls-for-faster-spectrum-release

Ofcom gets to grips with not-spots

In a new report on mobile "not-spots", UK regulator Ofcom says it will prioritise examining how to improve coverage information so consumers are able to choose the best service provider for their requirements. 

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/ofcom-gets-to-grips-with-not-spots

Australia to launch “world-first initiative” in 2.6 GHz band

Following an intensive consultation process, the Australian telecoms and broadcasting regulator has made a decision on allocation of the 2.6 GHz band that takes into account both international harmonisation and the needs of current occupants.

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/australia-to-launch-201cworld-first-initiative201d-in-2.6-ghz-band