Spectrum Policy Podcast
By PolicyTracker
Spectrum policy is about managing the use of the airwaves by mobile phones, satellites and a huge range of other devices ranging from radio telescopes to garage door openers. How can we ensure that all these users get access to the spectrum while bringing the maximum benefits to society? This podcast brings together experts from engineering, economics and policy-making to discuss current issues.
It is brought to you by PolicyTracker, which produces a newsletter, research and training courses on spectrum management.
Spectrum Policy PodcastFeb 20, 2024
WRC-23 Special - How is the ITU defining 6G? (feat. Dean Bubley)
Just ahead of the World Radiocommunication Conference, the ITU approved its IMT-2030 framework. IMT-2030, more commonly known as 6G is the next generation of mobile communications standard.
Using this document as a guide, we speak to outspoken consultant Dean Bubley about 6G and what it may become. Bubley touches on the importance and challenges of indoor connectivity, the prospect of sub-THz spectrum and the three potential paths that 6G development may follow.
WRC-23 Special – What were the key transport-related decisions?
In the third episode of our special series on the World Radio Conference, Access Partnership's Senior Engineering Manager Tural Aliyev explains what impact the some of the key transport-related WRC-23 decisions will have on the transport industry.
Prof. William Webb on his new book "Emperor Ofcom’s New Clothes"
Nearly 20 years ago UK regulator Ofcom adopted the approach that relying on free market forces is the best way to manage spectrum assets and ensure efficient use. Professor William Webb, who at the time was the director of Technology resources at Ofcom was deeply involved in setting this new course for spectrum policymaking.
Today, 20 years later, Webb together with Professor Stephen Temple has taken an axe to this strategy in their new book. In this episode of our podcast, Webb discusses his new book with journalist Richard Haas and explains why it is so critical of the free market spectrum policy policies.
WRC-23 Special - How will the ITU deal with the growth of the satellite industry?
For the coming weeks, PolicyTracker will cover key issues of the Radio World Conference. The second episode of this WRC-23 special discusses issues related to satellite agenda items.
In this episode, we speak to ITU-R vice chair Florence Magnier on some of the major satellite agenda items that will be discussed at the conference.
WRC-23 Special - What are the most contentious IMT issues?
For the coming weeks, PolicyTracker will cover key issues of the Radio World Conference. The first episode of this WRC-23 special features Martin Fenton, Director of Spectrum Analysis at Ofcom and Chairman of ITU-R Study Group 5.
Fenton talks about the Radio Assembly, the upper 6 GHz band, UHF and the future of IMT bands.
Is the 7-24 GHz range the new spectrum battlefield?
While the next generation of mobile technology, or 6G, is only expected to emerge around 2030, the industry is already considering what new spectrum bands could be opened up for mobile use. Some have expressed interest in various bands in the 7-24 GHz range. In fact, there are already proposals to study these bands at upcoming World Radiocommunication Conferences.
However, the 7—24 GHz range is already extensively utilised by incumbents. In particular, the range encompasses many bands that are highly valuable for the satellite industry, including the Ku-band and the Ka-band.
How will regulators decide who needs the spectrum the most, and who can deride the most benefit from these bands? In this episode, we speak to Richard Marsden, senior Managing Director at NERA Economic Consulting in New York about this conundrum.
LiFi – is the industry ready to see the light?
PolicyTracker’s podcast series continues with a look into Light Fidelity (LiFi) technology. Instead of using radio frequencies, this form of wireless communication transmits data through light.
In this episode, PolicyTracker’s Mirva Villa speaks with Professor Harald Haas, who is considered to be one of the LiFi technology’s pioneers. He explains how the technology works and where the industry is headed.
Can WiFi and mobile share the 6 GHz band? (feat. Ofcom)
The 6 GHz band is one of the most controversial issues in spectrum management. At the heart of this issue, there is a disagreement about who needs it most. The mobile industry argues that it is essential for the band to be assigned to mobile operators, while the WiFi industry says they need it.
This leaves regulators in the middle, left to make a decision about who to believe. UK regulator Ofcom thinks it can do both. In this episode, Ofcom’s director of spectrum policy and analysis Cristina Data speaks to PolicyTracker about its proposed “hybrid sharing” solution that would allow both technologies to co-exist in the band.
UK regulator proposes hybrid framework for upper 6 GHz band
News: China first in the world to set upper 6 GHz band aside for 5G and 6G
101: How do international spectrum agreements work? (feat. NTRA)
In November 2023, thousands of delegates will travel to Dubai for the World Radiocommunication Conference. For four weeks they will discuss the future of global communications. What is WRC-23? Why do we need the ITU? What are the key topics that will be discussed in Dubai?
Martin Sims Managing Director of PolicyTracker asks Mohammed A. El-Moghazi, Director of International Policies at the National Telecom Regulatory Authority of Egypt (NTRA) to explain the basics.
The next preparatory event in the lead-up to WRC-23 is the ITU's Global Symposium for Regulators 2023, which will be held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, from 5 to 8 June 2023 in the Tonino Lamborghini Convention Center. The Symposium will have “Regulation for a sustainable digital future” as a key discussion point.
Read more on this topic in Policytracker's guide to WRC-23.
How can spectrum policy address the climate crisis?
The IT sector is responsible for around 2% of global carbon emissions. While various industries are working towards reducing their impact, there’s still a lot of uncertainty about what spectrum regulators can do about the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions.
In this episode of the Spectrum Policy Podcast, PolicyTracker‘s Managing Director Martin Sims and journalist Laura Sear discuss what the industry and regulators are doing about the communications sector’s carbon footprint, and consider whether there is a link between spectrum efficiency and sustainability.
Satellite direct-to-device - What is it and what implications does it have for spectrum policymakers?
A new type of service, satellite direct-to-device (D2D), is starting to take shape. And companies such as Apple and SpaceX are showing an interest. This new technology promises to connect directly to existing smartphones instead of satellite phones or special dishes.
In the latest episode of the Spectrum Policy Podcast, PolicyTracker’s Richard Haas speaks to veteran satellite consultant Tim Farrar about this new trend and considers the spectrum policy implications of re-using terrestrial mobile bands for satellite use, a controversial strategy being considered by various start-ups.
Further reading:
News: US regulator to allow satellite re-use of terrestrial spectrum
News: German regulator raises concerns over AST SpaceMobile’s plans
Research: Overview of the satellite direct-to-device market
Wholesale Mobile Networks - A dying model?
Single wholesale networks (SWNs) once seemed like a “pretty neat idea”. Those who backed the concept claimed it would enable mobile coverage to be achieved everywhere, even reaching those parts of the country where mobile operators feared to tread (as there was no money to be made).
Sadly, things don’t seem to have worked out that way. Almost everywhere that SWNs have been tried, things just don’t seem to have worked out.
Poland has abandoned its plan to adopt the wholesale approach for 5G in 700 MHz and Rwanda's wholesale 4G network will soon be opened to competition. Wholesale networks continue to operate in Malaysia and Mexico, but do these latest setbacks signal the beginning of the end for this approach?
In our latest podcast, we consider whether the concerns which gave rise to single mobile networks are still relevant; whether they are now being met by other policy instruments; and whether this approach has a future in the 5G era.
Further reading:
Research note: Single wholesale mobile networks: a dying model?
News: Rwanda and Poland scrap single wholesale networks
News: New Malaysian PM pledges review of 5G single wholesale network
Spectrum Policy 101 Episode 4: Do 5G and 6G change spectrum policy?
We’ve been promised that 5G will make our devices faster and more efficient. But in order to achieve this, it will need access to significantly more of our airwaves. This episode explores how this new generation of mobile technology intersects with the world of spectrum policy.
Professor William Webb of Access Partnership and Ulrich Rehfuess of Nokia explain which spectrum bands matter for 5G, and debate whether the latest mobile generation has lived up to its promise.
Finally, we look towards the future and explore what 6G could bring. Marja Matinmikko-Blue from Oulu University in Finland outlines the priorities for 6G including an increased focus on spectrum sharing and placing more importance on sustainability targets.
Further reading:
Spectrum 101 - 5G spectrum
Spectrum 101 - Why are 5G verticals important?
Mobile operators say mmWave spectrum vital to meet future demand
Relax 5G rollout requirements if you want to save energy, say French telcos
European Commission takes next steps in 6G research
Spectrum Policy 101 Episode 3: Successes and failures of spectrum liberalisation
By the 1990s many sectors including electricity, airlines and telecoms had been liberalised, moving from government to private control. Spectrum was no exception: rather than governments deciding who could access the airwaves, auctions were increasingly used for mobile spectrum, meaning the licence went to the highest bidder.
But how well has this worked, considering that mobile ownership is no longer a nice-to-have luxury but an essential utility for living and working in the digital age?
To debate this issue we speak to two leading economists, Professor Martin Cave and Professor Gerard Pogorel.
Further reading:
Spectrum 101: The pros and cons of spectrum auctions
Spectrum Audit makes proposals to shift public sector thinking
PolicyTracker marks the 20th anniversary of the Cave review of UK spectrum management
Spectrum assignments need a rethink, say academics
Spectrum Policy 101 Episode 2: Key events which shaped spectrum policy
We have been communicating wirelessly for over 120 years and in this episode, we pick out the developments which mapped the future direction of spectrum policy.
Professor Marc Raboy, author of “Marconi: the man who networked the world” explains the pioneer’s role during the early wireless age.
And Professor Thomas Hazlett, former chief economist at the FCC, walks us through the era of radio broadcasting chaos in the 1920s and the steps that eventually led to spectrum liberalisation.
Further reading:
Spectrum 101: What events have shaped spectrum policy?
Celebrating 100 years of radio broadcasting
Spectrum Policy 101 Episode 1: What is Spectrum Management?
An enormous number of devices use the spectrum, some bring in huge revenues, some are essential for safety of life and others are vital for scientific research.
In this episode, spectrum management expert Richard Womersley and Peter Stuckmann, head of the Future Connectivity Systems unit at the European Commission shed light on the best approaches to regulating this vital resource.
Further reading:
Spectrum 101: Spectrum Management