China, Inc thrusts TD-LTE into the international spotlight

Reminiscent of Japan, Inc in the 1980s, the Chinese state and its huge majority-owned businesses are working together to make a major impact on the international stage. An excellent case study in the workings of China, Inc is the staggeringly fast development of the TD-LTE standard.

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/china-inc-thrusts-td-lte-into-the-international-spotlight

Greece looks to profits of refarming to help reduce debt

Greece could earn more than €240 million from refarming GSM spectrum, according to a consultation document released by the country's telecoms regulator the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT). 

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/greece-looks-to-profits-of-refarming-to-help-reduce-debt

FCC mandates LTE in 700 Mhz band

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ordered all public safety mobile broadband networks to use LTE technology in the 700MHz band. According to FCC chairman Julius Genachowski, the move represents a major step toward nationwide interoperability for first responders.

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/fcc-mandates-lte-in-700-mhz-band

South Africa relaunches licensing process

South Africa's long-delayed plan to license 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz spectrum appears to be inching forward again, although the timing and process remain unclear.

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/south-africa-relaunches-licensing-process

French minister wants “second digital dividend”

France's industry minister Éric Besson said earlier this month he wants a second digital dividend to open more spectrum to mobile services, a proposal that will require terrestrial broadcasters to switch to DVB-T2 and MPEG-4 transmission and could put France in a position to lead European and international talks on the subject.

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/french-minister-wants-201csecond-digital-dividend201d

“Business as usual” for PMSE sector during London Olympics

In a statement issued on January 20, UK regulator Ofcom put an end to months of uncertainty by confirming the status quo in the programme making and special events (PMSE) sector would be maintained until after the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/201cbusiness-as-usual201d-for-pmse-sector-during-olympics

Kenya proposes national open access wholesale LTE network

The Kenyan government has proposed a national, open access, wholesale LTE network in the 2.6 GHz band to promote cost-effective spectrum use and keep operators from having to spend money at an auction.

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/kenya-proposes-national-open-access-wholesale-lte-network

Two big winners in Brazil’s latest auctions

The arrival of a new entrant in Brazil's 3G market plus increased spectrum holdings for incumbents are likely to see an acceleration in rollout around the country and better service quality. However, regulator Anatel's belief that prices will fall may be over-optimistic.

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/two-big-winners-in-brazil2019s-latest-auctions

Malaysian mobile operator submits 2.6 GHz business plan

Malaysian mobile operator DiGi Telecommunications has submitted a business plan to the country's telecoms regulator for its proposed use of 2.6 GHz spectrum.

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/malaysian-mobile-operator-submits-2.6-ghz-business-plan

Zain prepares to launch 3G in Jordan

Kuwait-based telecoms operator Zain has confirmed that it plans to launch a 3G service in Jordan as soon as a rival operator's exclusivity deal expires next month. 

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/zain-prepares-to-launch-3g-in-jordan

Spectrum event to be held at House of Commons

The UK's parliament has taken the rare step of organising a pubic event that focuses on spectrum.

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/spectrum-event-to-be-held-at-house-of-commons

Spectrum crunch? What spectrum crunch?

Even though regulators and mobile operators continue to warn more spectrum is needed to deal with exploding demand for mobile Internet access, research firm Analysys Mason argues that claims of an impending mobile data "tsunami" are overblown. 

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/spectrum-crunch-what-spectrum-crunch

UK Parliament backs spectrum reform and legalises refarming

The British Parliament has finally rubber stamped a special instrument (SI) which directs regulator Ofcom to go ahead with a range of spectrum reforms, some of which will await the outcome of a competition assessment. 

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https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/uk-parliament-passes-spectrum-reform-bill-and-legalises-refarming

Peru may get new 3G entrant this month

Peru's long-delayed award of 25 MHz of spectrum in the 1900 MHz band is due to be held by beauty contest on January 13. 

Read the whole article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/peru-may-get-new-3g-entrant-this-month

CDMA operator wins 400 MHz band auctions in Denmark

Pan-Scandinavian CDMA operator Ice.Net won licences in the 400MHz band at two separate auctions in Denmark late last year. 

Read the whole article here:

https://www.policytracker.com/headlines/cdma-operator-wins-400-mhz-band-auctions-in-denmark

Download the January issue of PolicyTracker here:

https://www.policytracker.com/Back issues/PT-Jan-11.pdf