Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations providing direct to device (D2D) services rely on terrestrial mobile spectrum to operate. This is only possible through an agreement with a mobile network operator, as regulated by national frameworks governing such services. This was the case until recently, when AST SpaceMobile and SpaceX acquired Mobile Satellite Spectrum (MSS)… Read More »
The $23 billion deal announced today between AT&T and EchoStar to transfer EchoStar’s 600 MHz and 3.45 GHz spectrum is far more than just a spectrum transaction. It has several strategic consequences related to market structure that will unfold over the next few months. I’m listing some thoughts here upon announcing this deal today. The… Read More »
Are terrestrial spectrum-sharing frameworks like the FCC’s SCS and ISED’s SMCS failing to provide viable bandwidth, pushing Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) operators to aggressively pursue Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) spectrum for greater independence and scalability? Recent developments suggest that the spectrum battle is shifting from terrestrial networks to orbital assets. There are growing indications that terrestrial… Read More »
This brief post aims to share a couple of data points on enterprise private wireless networks (PWN). The first is from Nokia, which reported 850 PWN customers in its 2024 annual report. Nokia has been reporting the number of PWN clients since 2019, showing a trend of steady growth. The second data point is from… Read More »
The direct-to-device (D2D) satellite communication market is emerging as a highly competitive field, exemplified by the ongoing debates around out-of-band (OOB) power flux density (PFD) regulations. Satellite operators using terrestrial mobile spectrum as a secondary application must adhere to strict PFD limits, which impacts the performance capabilities of D2D services, with significant commercial implications for… Read More »
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has introduced in 2021 a regulatory framework for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Canada, ostensibly aimed at fostering competition. However, while these regulations appear to address some issues, they also introduce significant challenges that may undermine their effectiveness and limit the potential benefits for consumers. Download our… Read More »
The satellite industry has adopted two primary approaches to connecting smartphones to satellites using 5G. The first approach utilizes MSS (Mobile Satellite Service) spectrum, as seen with the Globalstar-Apple collaboration. The second approach employs low-band terrestrial spectrum, such as the PCS band, which is being implemented by SpaceX and planned by startups like Lynk Global… Read More »
Mobile infrastructure capex has declined significantly since the second quarter of 2023, following a wave of spending on 5G, with no recovery yet in sight (see here and here). While the mobile industry has faced such declines in the past, signs suggest that the current weakness could be longer and deeper than previous downturns. The… Read More »
5G positioning and location technologies are the culmination of nearly three decades of advancements in mobile positioning technologies [see here for a very informative description]. What began as regulatory requirement for emergency services has expanded into requirements for positioning services in a host of industry verticals and use cases. To meet these new demands, 5G… Read More »
5G introduces two key technologies that significantly advance active mobile infrastructure sharing opportunities. Firstly, network slicing enables the creation of distinct virtual networks on the same physical infrastructure. These slices offer performance guarantees and ensure that clients receive contracted Service Level Agreements (SLAs), instilling confidence and predictability for both operators and customers. Notably, network slicing… Read More »
Recent announcements from both the ITU-R and 3GPP provide valuable insights into the roadmap for the emergence of 6G technology. Based on historical norms, I anticipate meaningful commercial 6G deployments to commence around 2031. In our Xona Partners Insight Note: Mapping the Road Towards 6G, which you can download below, we delve into the pivotal… Read More »
A spate of recent telecom network failures has emphasized the importance of accessing emergency services, including 911 calling and texting, during network outages. Emergency or disaster roaming enables access to emergency services during such network outages. Most emergency calls are made from cell phones, which in some markets could reach as high as 95% of… Read More »
Two weeks ago, we published an Insight Note to our clients on the neutral host business using Crown Castle (CCI) as an example to highlight the challenges of the small cell hosting model. In our Note, which you can download below, we detailed the most critical challenges associated with small cell deployments. We also answered… Read More »
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 »
The FCC recently released version 2 of the National Broadband Map. It’s an ambitious project that aims to provide information on the available connectivity services at every location in the US. The NTIA plans to use the map to identify unserved and underserved communities to provide funding under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD)… Read More »