Advanced Television

Spectrum

Trump rescinds FCC Commissioner’s appointment

US President Donald Trump has changed his mind and rescinded the renewal nomination of one of his own Republican commissioners. Commissioner Michael O’Rielly’s 5-year term expired in June 2019. He was originally nominated to the FCC by President Obama in November 2013 and confirmed for his term on the FCC in 2015. In March this […]

August 5, 2020By Chris Forrester

Ofcom confirms 5G spectrum auction plans

UK comms regulator Ofcom has confirmed plans to auction spectrum to help improve mobile broadband and support the rollout of 5G, with bidding set to start in January 2021. According to Ofcom, the auction will increase the total amount of spectrum available for mobile in the UK by nearly a fifth (18 per cent) – bringing […]

August 4, 2020By Colin Mann

SES, Harmonic partner for C-band transition

Video delivery specialist Harmonic is to partner with satellite operator SES for technology upgrades associated with the SES transition plan filed with the Federal Communications Commission on June 19th, 2020. The pair will work together to fast-track this deployment, freeing up spectrum for 5G while simultaneously enabling SES’s C-band customers to maintain the quality and […]

July 28, 2020

Ofcom updates rail connectivity plans

UK comms regulator Ofcom has published updated advice to the Government on the airwaves that could be used to improve broadband for rail passengers. In 2018, Ofcom provided initial advice to the UK Government on how demand for on-board data services for passengers is likely to grow in the coming years; and on the types […]

July 27, 2020By Colin Mann

Estimate: C-band auction to raise $40bn

Mobile data industry management consulting practice The Besen Group has launched a C-Band Spectrum Evaluation Tool for enterprises who are planning to bid at the upcoming FCC C-band auction in December 2020. The Besen Group estimates that the spectrum auction will raise over $40 billion (€34.1bn) with the average cost of $0.46 per MHz-POP for […]

July 27, 2020

Luxembourg taps €41m from 5G auction

Luxembourg has raised more than €41 million from the 4 bidders for the tiny nation’s 5G licences. Overall the new licence holders will pay €41.3 million for 15-year operational licenses in the 3.6 GHz band. Luxembourg’s three main existing operators secured most of the spectrum with Post and Orange each taking 110 MHz each while […]

July 24, 2020By Chris Forrester

FCC kicks off 5G mid-band spectrum auction

The US Federal Communications Commission is beginning its first auction of licences for prime, mid-band spectrum suitable for 5G. The auction will offer county-based Priority Access Licences in the 3550-3650 MHz band, which will encourage the rapid deployment of next-generation wireless networks in the band. The FCC says this is a critical step in freeing […]

July 23, 2020By Colin Mann

Portugal’s DTT migration further delayed

The process of releasing the 700 MHz frequency band, currently used for DTT and essential for the start-up of 5G in Portugal, has been postponed from August 3rd to August 12th. The National Communications Authority (Anacom) said it has been informed by DTT network operator Meo of the need to change the DTT migration timetable […]

July 21, 2020From Branislav Pekic in Rome

Intelsat did pay some CBA dues

Last week it was reported that SES Americom was arguing with Intelsat’s bankruptcy court that Intelsat should pay $1.8 billion in compensation and damages to SES because of an alleged “contract violation” over the pair’s C-band Alliance (CBA) agreement and the clearance of spectrum for 5G. SES Americom is alleging that it and Intelsat had […]

July 20, 2020By Chris Forrester

FCC reveals 5G plan progress

In a blog leaning heavily on analogies with blockbuster movie Top Gun and its ‘Need for Speed’ tagline, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has set out the Commission’s activities in executing the 5G FAST Plan — a comprehensive strategy for advancing American leadership in 5G, as well as updating progress on its forthcoming C-band auction. “We […]

July 16, 2020By Colin Mann