India aims to reclaim spectrum from bankrupt operators India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has stepped up its efforts to reclaim spectrum from bankrupt cellco Aircel, demanding that the firm return its airwaves on the basis that the DoT is owed dues from the defunct provider, notes TeleGeography.
European Commission awaits legal advice on Wi-Fi connected car proposal The European Commission’s plan for a Wi-Fi-based standard for cars endorsed by Volkswagen faces a 2 month delay as EU countries wait for legal advice on the proposal, reports Reuters.
Dutch regulator focuses on net neutrality and infrastructure implications of 5G Dutch regulator, ACM, plans to work on two themes concerning 5G, reports Telecompaper: the application of net neutrality and infrastructure sharing. “A spokesperson for the ACM said the application of net neutrality raises important questions for 5G and infrastructure sharing will become relevant again once operators start rolling out 5G networks.
GSMA criticises European Commission over connected car technology Industry body the GSMA has argued that the European Commission (EC) has ignored innovation and choice after the body backed the adoption of Wi-Fi technology in connected cars over cellular connectivity, notes Mobile World Live.
Kevin Werbach, who was an adviser on telecom policy in the Clinton and Obama administrations, has written in the New York Times about the Trump administration’s short-lived idea for an open wholesale 5G network.
FCC completes first 5G spectrum auction The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has completed its first 5G auction, with a sale of 28 GHz spectrum licences raising $702 million, notes Mobile World Live.
India’s regulator speaks on 5G priorities India can be a frontrunner in deployment of 5G but much will hinge on bolstering investments in fibre infrastructure, which is currently inadequate and trailing countries like China, RS Sharma, chair of India’s regulator, TRAI, has said at a digital summit meeting.
Challenge mounts for FCC’s 5G cell tower rules US regulator, the FCC, has forced local governments to charge a flat fee for 5G cell towers, which has been opposed by everyone except the mobile operators, and has been challenged by new legislation, reports The Register.
ANCOM, Romania’s regulator, has launched for public consultation an “action plan” for 2019, with Sorin Grindeanu, ANCOM’s president, saying: “New challenges lie ahead of ANCOM in 2019, with the organisation of the 5G auction as a main project.
Europe’s communications code gets final approval The European Council has given final sign-off on the EU’s Electronic Communications Code, which imposes price caps, tougher security procedures and spectrum allocation rules that will enhance 5G deployment, notes mobile World Live.
The successful rollout of 5G services relies on timely access to the right amount and type of spectrum in the next year, warns the GSMA in an industry position paper, aimed at influencing the World Radio Communication (WRC-19) conference next year.
US spectrum auction starts slowly The latest US airwave licence auction got off to a modest start with initial bids in the first two rounds totalling just $42 million and about one-third of the licences getting no opening bid at all, notes Fortune.
Bidders announced for US 5G mmWave auction It appears that three of the nation’s largest cable companies are not planning to bid on millimetre-wave spectrum licences in the FCC’s 5g spectrum auction, which starts on 14 November, reports Fierce Wireless.
Governments in Asia can expand the region’s digital economy and unlock further socio-economic benefits for their citizens by removing unnecessary restrictions on the movement of data internationally, according to a report by the GSMA.
The South African government is poised to liberalise radio frequency spectrum by allowing the free trading of spectrum assignments, subject to regulatory conditions, reports TechCentral.
Global mobile trends from the GSMA GSMA Intelligence has published its third annual Global Mobile Trends report. Key takeaways include that the next generation of internet users will be mobile only. By 2025, 3.7 billion people – 72% of the global internet base – will be accessing the internet exclusively via mobile.
Objections made to claims about interference with satellite in the US It’s been four years since US regulator, the FCC, voted to make 100 MHz of spectrum in the 5 GHz band available for unlicensed use, but one incumbent user says it has recently measured a “dramatic rise” in the 5.1 GHz noise level, reports Cablefax.
Bundesnetzagentur (BNetZa), the German multisector regulator, marked its 20th anniversary with an event in Bonn at which Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel gave the anniversary address.
“We started out 20 years ago as a regulatory authority. Today, we are the most important infrastructure authority in Germany,” said Jochen Homann, BNetZa president.
Italy’s 5G auction plans face opposition Italy’s 5G spectrum auction plans have been cast into doubt as reports emerged that broadcasters have launched a legal appeal against rules for vacating the 700 MHz band, while separately the country’s mobile operators were tipped to boycott the whole process, notes Mobile World Live.
GSMA calls European code a ‘political compromise’ Latest comment on agreement on the European Electronic Communications Code come from mobile industry body, the GSMA, which considers it “is a political compromise that fails to confront long term challenges for the European telecoms sector and could hinder deployment of 5G networks in Europe, weakening the region’s competitiveness and harming European citizens.”
Japan Communications says it has received Japan’s first regulatory certification under both the Radio Law and Telecommunications Business Law for an unlicensed LTE (u-LTE) base station – and JCI chairman Frank Seiji Sanda says, “u-LTE is the first step in the obsolescence of legacy mobile operators.”
Four agencies looking to band together to create a combined radar system want more information from commercial spectrum users and the public on their plan for the project, notes FWC.
CCS Insight, a market researcher, has raised its near-term forecast for global 5G connections following “impressive progress” made by the industry over the past six months.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comment on proposed application and bidding procedures for the auctions of the 28 GHz and 24 GHz spectrum bands to promote the development of 5G technology, the internet of things, and other advanced spectrum-based services.
UK regulator consults on 700 MHz and coverage obligations UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has announced a consultation on its plans to introduce coverage obligations as part of the upcoming sale of spectrum in the 700 MHz band, notes TeleGeography.
European regulators body sets out priorities, including 5G and net neutrality The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) has highlighted its focus areas for 2018 – with emphasis on a study on 5G, the latest data on international roaming, and a consultation paper on net neutrality.
India has approved relief measures for the telecoms sector, revising limits on spectrum holdings and allowing operators longer to pay for airwaves won at auction, with a view to freeing up funds for investment, improving ease of doing business and allowing for consolidation in the sector, reports TeleGeography.
The Dutch radiocommunications agency, Agentschap Telecom, has published research on the use of “Li-Fi” – light fidelity – which uses light for wireless communication.
Telecoms and law professor Rob Frieden has written about a US National Security Council initiative that identifies the security and public safety benefits in having a government owned 5G wireless network leased by commercial ventures.
New Government-approved changes will make for a more efficient and transparent management framework in Australia.
TRAI, India’s telecoms regulator, has consulted on a new telecoms policy being formulated by the government to attract $100 billion worth of investment in a sector that's going through consolidation amid intense competition, notes Economic Times.
Bulgaria will focus its attention on speeding up negotiations on the European Communications Code when it takes over the 6 month rotating presidency of the Council of Ministers in January, notes EurActiv.
The Polish senate has passed a law allowing the country’s mobile operators to test new wireless technologies without incurring frequency utilisation fees, notes TeleGeography.
ETNO, the European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association, has issued a strong warning about the direction of the European Electronic Communications Code. It says it is “no ordinary legislation. This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to unlock investment in world-class infrastructure, which is the core of a successful society and economy.
A report for DG Connect at the European Commission examines the approaches used by member states for authorising and assigning spectrum with a view to determining which methods might be most appropriate in the context of future 5G services.
The Swiss Federal Council has adopted a partial revision of the Telecommunications Act (TCA), and the draft legislation will now be dealt with by parliament. The revision covers broadband services that are replacing traditional telecoms services and gives greater weight to consumer concerns, promotes competition and deregulation, and simplifies administration.
EU member states have rejected a European Commission proposal to extend licences for wireless radio spectrum to last at least 25 years – one of the cornerstones of the EU executive’s new attempt to overhaul telecoms law, reports Euractiv.
Singapore launches consultation on regulatory frameworks and policies for 5G Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has launched a public consultation to seek views from the industry and public on the appropriate regulatory frameworks and policies for 5G.
India’s regulator calls for spectrum audit by independent agency The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) wants the government to identify spectrum being held by various departments and agencies for effective commercial application of the scarce natural resource, notes the Economic Times.
GSMA issues report on 5G spectrum auction concerns The GSMA has raised concerns about 5G spectrum auction design “artificially inflating prices, or inefficiently distributing already scarce spectrum resources, which risk harming consumers”. “Auctions can and do fail when poorly designed,” said Brett Tarnutzer, the GSMA’s head of spectrum.
FCC presses ahead with sale of weather forecasting spectrum The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) intends to move ahead with a plan to auction off wireless radio frequencies that scientists say could harm critical satellite data used in weather forecasting, a report in the Washington Post notes.
ACMA Communications report The ACMA Communications report 2017–18 has confirmed the fast pace of changes in Australia’s communications and media landscape.
Five Minutes On...The EU Electronic Communications Code The EU Electronic Communications Code (EECC) is a new directive consolidating and reforming the framework for the regulation of electronic communications services and networks across the EEA. Member states must adapt their existing telecommunications regulations in accordance with the EECC by 2020.
India’s regulator speaks on 5G priorities (Copy) India can be a frontrunner in deployment of 5G but much will hinge on bolstering investments in fibre infrastructure, which is currently inadequate and trailing countries like China, RS Sharma, chair of India’s regulator, TRAI, has said at a digital summit meeting.
Operators file suit against Germany’s 5G terms Deutsche Telekom has become the latest operator to file a lawsuit against the conditions for participating in Germany’s 5G mobile spectrum auction, which is scheduled to take place in the spring, notes TeleGeography.
The FCC has published more on its plans to hold a major 5G spectrum auction in 2019 by adopting new rules that will promote the availability of high-band millimetre wave spectrum for the next generation of wireless connectivity.
India reconsiders annual spectrum usage charges India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is reportedly reconsidering the application of a flat annual spectrum usage charge (SUC) and is expected to contact the law ministry for its opinion on the matter, notes TeleGeography. “SUCs currently vary, with different rates having been set for each auction.
The GSMA, the body for mobile operators, has welcomed the German government’s decision to release the entire 3.4 to 3.8 GHz band (C-band), essential for the future development of 5G services globally. But it warns that some of the currently proposed conditions on the allocation of these frequencies may slow Germany’s 5G future.
The Federal Institute of Telecommunications (Ifetel) in Mexico has authorised the last frequency changes of two digital terrestrial television stations operating in the 600 MHz band, which completes the release of the band, reports Vallarta Daily.
European Commission to back Wi-Fi system for connected cars The European Commission is set to approve rules for the use of Wi-Fi in cars, giving Volkswagen and Renault who have pursued this technology the edge over Daimler and others who invested in rival 5G networks, reports Reuters.
New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has released an issues paper calling for submissions on its initial assessment of the mobile market that is being carried out under Section 9A of the Telecommunications Act 2001.
Deutsche Telekom makes demands about 5G auction Deutsche Telekom has outlined its demands for Germany’s upcoming 5G spectrum auction, rejecting calls for conditions to encourage a new operator or plans for regional licences, notes Telecompaper.
The West Midlands region has been selected to become the home to the UK’s first multicity 5G testbed. The UK government says the multimillion pound trial of high speed connectivity will pave the way for the future rollout of 5G across the UK, making the region the first in the UK ready to trial new 5G applications and services at scale.
Update on the EU Electronic Communications Code (EECC) On 6 June 2018, the EU Council and Parliament reached a political agreement on the EECC. The EU Commission’s legal services will now finalise the text of the EECC to reflect this political agreement. Formal adoption and publication of the EECC in the Official Journal of the European Union are expected in December 2018.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has published a digital report on the future of broadcasting in Canada. The report proposes new tools and regulatory approaches to support the production and promotion of audio and video content made by and for Canadians.
Spectrum sharing news from the US and Hong Kong A US telecoms official has tipped spectrum sharing to play a key role in the government’s plan to alleviate a shortage of available commercial airwaves in the country, notes Mobile World Live.
GSMA finds mobile development lagging in Central America Deployment of 4G is lagging in Central America and the region needs to up its game or risk putting its future economic development at risk, the GSMA has stated in a report.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted a notice of proposed rulemaking to update the framework for licensing educational broadband service (EBS) spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band.
Australia’s ACCC issues final market report The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published the final report of its communications sector market study, which includes 28 recommendations and actions on competition and consumer issues.
GSMA weighs in on Colombia’s regulatory regime The GSMA has put forward a series of regulatory and public policy proposals to boost Colombia’s digital economy ahead of next month’s presidential elections, reports Telecompaper.
The Falkland Islands, one of the more remote territories, now has a communications regulator in place in Susannah Nightingale, who has published the first regulator's annual report.
The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have reached a provisional political agreement on spectrum policy envisioned in the European Electronic Communications Code, including the availability of radio spectrum for 5G by 2020 in the EU, 20 years investment predictability for spectrum licences, and enhanced coordination and peer review of planned radio spectrum assignment procedures.
Susan Crawford, the Harvard law professor and proponent of public telecoms investment, has used her latest column in Wired to attack privatisation of public assets.
Q&A Magnus Ewerbring We asked Magnus Ewerbring, CTO of Ericsson in APAC, for his views on the future of 5G, its relevance for consumers and how networks will be ‘sliced’ to support different applications in the future.
The GSMA has issued a report, “Effective spectrum pricing in Latin America: policies to support better quality and more affordable mobile services”, highlighting that spectrum policies in Latin America are impacting the delivery of quality mobile services to consumers across the region.
Cyril Ramaphosa, the new president of South Africa, included the following in his state of the nation address: “Our prosperity as a nation depends on our ability to take full advantage rapid technological change. This means that we urgently need to develop our capabilities in the areas of science, technology and innovation.
Ofcom’s review of regulatory trends UK regulator, Ofcom, has issued its “International communications market report 2017”, which includes a section on regulatory context.
Optus, Telstra, TPG, NBN Co and Vodafone have all secured spectrum that will help them meet the rising demand for mobile and fixed wireless broadband services.
A fierce debate has gripped Europe’s automobile industry that will shape the future of all cars sold across the region: how to get internet-connected vehicles to “talk” to each other while travelling on the road, reports the Financial Times.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has enacted reforms that it says will better enable providers to invest in next-generation networks. The FCC is also seeking comment on additional reforms, including how the FCC can expedite rebuilding and repairing broadband infrastructure after natural disasters.
The European Council has granted the Estonian presidency a mandate to begin negotiations with the European Parliament on the new European Electronic Communications Code. “Our future is digital, and these rules are key to creating a gigabit society throughout the EU,” said Urve Palo, Estonia's Minister for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has used a “spectrum tune-up” meeting to propose an accelerated process for considering releases in the millimetre wave spectrum for 5G broadband, and has released a consultation paper on the topic.
Mexico’s 2013 telecom reform has brought benefits, spurring competition that has increased access and brought down mobile internet costs from among the highest in advanced economies to among the lowest, according to the OECD Telecommunication and Broadcasting Review of Mexico 2017.
Q & A Howard Symons Partner, Jenner & Block LLP
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