Category Archives: Spectrum

Recap of the Canadian 3800 MHz C-band Spectrum Auction

By | December 1, 2023

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.… Read More: Recap of the Canadian 3800 MHz C-band Spectrum Auction »

Highlights of Canada’s New NCL Spectrum Licensing Framework

By | July 31, 2023

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… Read More: Highlights of Canada’s New NCL Spectrum Licensing Framework »

Millimeter Wave Has Failed. Or Has It Really?

By | January 16, 2023

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… Read More: Millimeter Wave Has Failed. Or Has It Really? »

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

By | August 10, 2022

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… Read More: What Spectrum for Enterprise Private Networks Tell Us About Risks… »

Observations on Canada’s 3800 MHz Frequency Spectrum Auction

By | July 6, 2022

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… Read More: Observations on Canada’s 3800 MHz Frequency Spectrum Auction »

FCC Auction 110 3.45 GHz Summary

By | January 16, 2022

Auction 110 [see here] for 100 MHz in 3.45 – 3.55 GHz scored $22.5 Billion in gross proceeds for an average of $0.736/MHz-PoP. AT&T, Dish and T-Mobile won 83% of the MHz-PoP. For details, download the full summary here:

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

By | January 5, 2022

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 –… Read More: 5G vs. Radio Altimeters: A Storm in a Tea Cup? »

Overview of FCC Auction 110 in 3.45 GHz

By | October 4, 2021

FCC Auction 110 for 100 MHz in the 3.45 GHz band is set to start tomorrow (October 5): the third auction for 3 GHz band spectrum in less than two years for a combined 450 MHz. This is a huge amount of spectrum considering previous auctions and holdings. Here, I wanted to share an outline… Read More: Overview of FCC Auction 110 in 3.45 GHz »

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

By | July 30, 2021

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… Read More: A Gold Medal in Spectrum Auction Valuation: 3500 MHz Canadian… »

Dynamics of the Canadian 5G Midband Spectrum Auction

By | June 11, 2021

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… Read More: Dynamics of the Canadian 5G Midband Spectrum Auction »

FCC C-Band Auction 107 Outcome and Consequences

By | January 15, 2021

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… Read More: FCC C-Band Auction 107 Outcome and Consequences »

3.7 GHz C-Band Spectrum Valuation

By | October 1, 2020

We are offering a packaged valuation service for the upcoming FCC 3.7 GHz C-band spectrum auction and the Canadian 3.4 GHz auction. Included with the services is a detailed update of prices for global auctions and operator allocations in mid-band spectrum. Contact me for a quote. Click here to see our 5G midband spectrum valuation… Read More: 3.7 GHz C-Band Spectrum Valuation »

CBRS Spectrum Auction Pricing

By | August 29, 2020

Spectrum Pricing Trends in Millimeter Wave Bands

By | April 23, 2020

Written in collaboration with Martyn Roetter* Countries across the world have been releasing new spectrum for 5G deployments in millimeter-wave spectrum bands (mmWave), while others are planning to do so soon.  Although a few governments have awarded mmWave spectrum via administrative processes at little or no cost to operators (Japan, Hong Kong), in most cases… Read More: Spectrum Pricing Trends in Millimeter Wave Bands »