Category Archives: Spectrum

Access Licensing Spectrum Framework for Rural and Remote Areas

Access licensing is a new spectrum licensing mechanism that enables a party to obtain a license for spectrum that is not utilized by the incumbent license holder. Canada recently released the framework that governs access licensing. It identified the Cellular 800 MHz and PCS 1800 MHz bands for this licensing framework in designated rural and remote Tier 5… Read More »

Dish AWS Spectrum: The Whole Is Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts

The recent reorganization of the Dish Networks corporate structure raised interest in Dish’s spectrum portfolio. Analysts sought to understand the value of this portfolio in potential asset divestment or as collateral for new debt (see here). In a our new Insight Note, we take a deep dive into the AWS band spectrum holdings of Dish. These holdings combine… Read More »

Recap of the Canadian 3800 MHz C-band Spectrum Auction

The 3800 MHz spectrum auction in Canada concluded with total proceeds of C$2.158 billion (US$1.6 billion) for a nationwide allocation of 250 MHz (link to results on ISED web site). To put this result in perspective, the 3500 MHz auction, which concluded in July 2021, raised C$8.91 billion for a nationwide average of 111 MHz.  The 3800 MHz… Read More »

Highlights of Canada’s New NCL Spectrum Licensing Framework

Canada became the latest country to make spectrum available for enterprise private wireless networks (see here for the global market). Using a 80 MHz slice of C-band spectrum between 3900 MHz – 3980 MHz, enterprises and service providers will be able to apply for a spectrum license under the Non-Competitive Local Licensing Framework (NCL). NCL aims to cater… Read More »

Millimeter Wave Has Failed. Or Has It Really?

Proponents of millimeter wave (mmWave) access technology loud its success by citing the number of completed auctions. Looking at the quality of these auctions reveals a contrasting conclusion: mmWave is struggling to gain the interest of mobile network operators. Except the United States and Australia, the demand for mmWave licenses is low; and operators are not willing to… Read More »

What Spectrum for Enterprise Private Networks Tell Us About Risks and Opportunities

Countries are in process of allocating spectrum for private wireless network, but are they assigning the right spectrum? Most of the allocated spectrum falls in the mid-bands, primarily 3.x GHz, or the millimeter-wave bands (24, 26, 27, 28 and 38 GHz). A close look shows the fragmentation in allocated spectrum which could not be good for economies of… Read More »

Observations on Canada’s 3800 MHz Frequency Spectrum Auction

Update – April 2023. We published a report on the expected valuation of the Canadian 3800 MHz auction. For additional information see here. Canada will auction its 3800 MHz C-band spectrum beginning on October 24, 2023 [see here]. This is very late! The auction includes 250 MHz between 3650 and 3900 MHz. Together with the 3450 – 3650… Read More »

5G vs. Radio Altimeters: A Storm in a Tea Cup?

The row between the wireless and aviation industries on potential interference between 5G and aircraft radio altimeters is sounding like a storm in a tea cup! The genesis of this dispute is a report in October 2020 by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) citing potential interference to altimeters operating in the 4.2 – 4.4 GHz band… Read More »

A Gold Medal in Spectrum Auction Valuation: 3500 MHz Canadian Auction

The Canadian auction for an average of 111 MHz in the 3500 MHz band raised a record setting C$8.91 billion (US$7.16 B). That’s an average of C$2.28/MHz-PoP (US$1.83); or a global record high for this spectrum band. Or, to bring another meaning into this, operators paid C$270 for each mobile subscriber! For another perspective, the US C-band auction… Read More »

Dynamics of the Canadian 5G Midband Spectrum Auction

The market landscape and auction structure make the Canadian 3500 MHz midband spectrum auction an interesting one to watch. The auction will kick off on June 15 to release an average of 111 MHz of which around 50 MHz will be set aside for regional wireless operators. This is relatively small in terms of what 5G requires to… Read More »

FCC C-Band Auction 107 Outcome and Consequences

Update: The assignment phase concluded since I wrote this post. You can download summary of the results by entering your name and email here. The clock phase for FCC C-Band Auction 107 has concluded in 97-rounds raising a record $80.92 Billion. The auction moves to the assignment phase. The proceeds exclude up to $13 B in additional fees… Read More »