Spectrum management

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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Spectrum management: Key applications and regulatory considerations driving the future use of spectrum

25.04.2025

Introduction In an increasingly digital environment, adequate access to spectrum is key to expanding the deployment and coverage of telecommunication 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, employment, government, financial services, and entertainment. As a scarce resource, spectrum requires proper management by regulators to ensure equitable access and an interference-free environment among different users and services, as well as to introduce new technologies. Accordingly, there is…

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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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Overview of 6G (IMT-2030)

28.04.2025

Introduction With the promise of ushering in new, innovative use cases and unprecedented capabilities, IMT-2030 represents the next generation of wireless connectivity. As part of the overall International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), 6G technologies were officially named “IMT-2030” during the Radiocommunication Assembly 2023 (RA-23) (ITU‑R 2023a), 6G presents countries and their regulatory bodies with new challenges related to licensing, competition, market impact, and consumer protection. Expected to be launched by 2030, 6G networks remain early in their development though the ITU and countries around the world are actively engaged in research and technology developments. In addition to enhanced connectivity, anticipated applications…

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Satellite direct-to-device services

28.04.2025

Introduction Advancements in satellite-based connectivity have created opportunities for policymakers to address connectivity challenges, particularly in remote or underserved areas. One such innovation is satellite direct-to-device (D2D) communication, enabling direct interaction between satellites and end-user devices such as smartphones. This can be achieved through two primary approaches: utilizing frequency spectrum allocated to the mobile-satellite service (MSS) or frequency spectrum allocated to the land mobile service (LMS), the latter, in particular by the use of the spectrum identified for terrestrial International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT). These technologies are designed to bridge connectivity gaps in urban, suburban, and remote areas, including maritime, aeronautical,…

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Regulation of NGSO Satellite Constellations

28.03.2024

1. Introduction Satellites have played a pivotal role in the connectivity ecosystem since decades. While terrestrial networks address mostly dense urban areas, satellites enable seamless communication across remote and underserved regions. Their ability to provide ubiquitous coverage ensures that even the most isolated areas remain connected, helping to bridge the digital divide. Today, Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) constellations are reshaping the landscape of satellite communications and have become increasingly important for several reasons. First, they offer low-latency, high-speed internet connectivity, particularly critical for real-time applications like emergency alerts and autonomous vehicles. Second, NGSOs are democratizing access to broadband, reaching remote or…

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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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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 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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