Technology innovations driving new spectrum demand

25.04.2025

Introduction The demand for access to many segments of spectrum is increasing, as new technologies allow a variety of applications to make use of a broader range of frequency bands. For example, International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) applications using the fifth generation of mobile technologies (5G) now compete with incumbent services in low-, mid-, and high-band spectrum. While the most common frequency bands for mobile networks to date have been focused on low- and mid-band spectrum, the launch of 5G networks has increased use of high bands, such as millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum in the 26 GHz and 28 GHz frequency…

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Elements of spectrum management aspects relating to wireless broadband services and trends for upcoming technologies

25.04.2025

The need to manage spectrum at the national level The electromagnetic spectrum is a scarce resource that should be properly managed in order to provide the maximum social and economic benefits to society. Because the supply of usable spectrum is finite, its value is determined by the demand for any given frequency range. Balancing the spectrum demands of various applications is a key role for regulators. The implementation of an effective system of spectrum management includes several aspects, such as: Regulators can achieve these goals by implementing best practices in spectrum management, monitoring, and planning. Effective spectrum management considers the…

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The role of the regulator on national spectrum issues

25.04.2025

Introduction to regulator’s role in national spectrum management In the telecommunication and information and communication technologies (ICT) sectors, having a stable regulatory framework and governance is key for effective regulation. Spectrum management is one of the many functions regulators perform, which may be challenging as new digital technologies and services emerge. To properly face these challenges, it is important for administrations to consider how spectrum issues are addressed in the national government structure. Considering the technical nature of the spectrum management functions, pressure often exists to design regulatory structures and internal procedures to optimize the use of resources available and…

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Use of shared spectrum at the national level

25.04.2025

Types of spectrum sharing licensing regimes Shared access regimes are one way for regulators to open spectrum to more users and to facilitate the use of spectrum bands, especially when an exclusive use is not possible in the short term. Spectrum sharing can either be part of a licensed or unlicensed regime. Under shared access regimes, use is authorized by a license for a set of different types of services or between users, under conditions defined in the license to avoid harmful interference. Under an unlicensed or license-exempt regime, no license is required, and the number of users is not…

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Spectrum pricing and trading

25.04.2025

Introduction In an increasingly digital environment, adequate access to spectrum is key to expanding the deployment and coverage of telecommunications networks and addressing the ever-increasing demand for data services. These networks support a variety of online applications, extending the impact of spectrum management to several sectors of the economy by transforming the way people access resources for health, transportation, education, agriculture, government, and financial services. As a scarce resource, spectrum requires proper management from regulators to ensure equitable access and an interference-free environment among different users and services, as well as to support the introduction and proliferation of new technologies.…

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Overview of national spectrum licensing

25.04.2025

Source: ESA 2013. As a limited natural resource, national administrations manage and assign the use of spectrum within their countries. In order to support the wide variety of different telecommunications services, as well as to mitigate possible unwanted interference, regulators issue national tables of frequency allocations and establish licensing frameworks that govern how spectrum will be awarded in the country. Regulators also intervene to mitigate disputes in cases of harmful interference along national borders. This process includes working with neighboring countries to coordinate spectrum allocations, in accordance with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR), as well as possible…

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Spectrum licensing: local and private networks

20.04.2025

Licensing for local and private networks Photo by ThisIsEngineering from Pexels Different from previous mobile technology generations, the fifth generation (5G) presents opportunities often discussed in terms of the new use cases and applications they enable. This is especially true for 5G usage scenarios for industrial applications, which require high bandwidth and low latency over a small coverage area. In 2023, ITU‑R published a Report on “Applications of the terrestrial component of International Mobile Telecommunications for specific societal, industrial and other usages” (ITU-R 2023) that provides an overall description of the current applications. Some regulators considered offering spectrum to non-traditional…

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Technical standards for upcoming technologies

20.04.2025

Introduction The widespread adoption of wireless technologies at a global scale depends on robust consensus over technical standards as well as on the access to the available spectrum. Technical standards are agreed upon through discussions at different international and regional organizations, as well as standard development organizations (SDO). For example, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) addresses radio aspects in the Radiocommunication Sector and network aspects of the different technologies in the Standardization Sector. Another example, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a group that publishes the specifications for mobile technologies, including those beyond 3G (3GPP 2024). Regulators need to…

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Spectrum management: Guidance on the regulatory framework for national spectrum management

06.03.2025

This article is excerpted from Report ITU-R SM.2093, Guidance on the Regulatory Framework for National Spectrum Management, and is reprinted here with the permission of the ITU. Society’s increasing use of radio-based technologies, and the tremendous opportunities for socio-economic development that these technologies provide, highlight the importance of radio-frequency spectrum and national spectrum management processes. Technological progress has continually opened doors to a variety of new spectrum applications that have spurred greater interest in, and demand for, the limited spectrum resource. Increased demand requires that spectrum be used efficiently and that effective spectrum management processes be implemented. Spectrum management is…

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Navigating Data Governance: A Guiding Tool for Regulators

31.10.2024

Introduction In today’s data-driven world, the importance of robust data governance is more critical than ever. As digital ecosystems rapidly expand, the surge in mobile broadband subscriptions, internet traffic, and the number of internet users, now surpassing 5.4 billion[1], has transformed data into a vital asset. This data—whether generated by businesses, governments, or individuals—fuels innovation, enhances decision-making, and accelerates the digital transformation of economies and societies. However, the immense volume of data being generated, collected, and processed brings with it substantial challenges for regulators. Ensuring the responsible use, protection, and governance of this data is paramount to safeguarding personal data…

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