Spectrum, mobile & wireless update August 2017

U.K. spectrum auction developments: The Telegraph reported that Three is to overhaul its network as demand continues to increase and in preparation for 5G. The Financial Times reported on Three’s call for Ofcom to introduce a 30% cap on the amount of spectrum that any one operator can own in its forthcoming spectrum auction, following Three’s statement criticising Ofcom’s proposals last month. The Telegraph and ISP Review later reported that Three had written to Ofcom threatening a judicial review unless the regulator changes the auction’s rules. ISP Review also reported that EE had launched its own proceedings against Ofcom to fight the restrictions being threatened for the 3.4GHz band, while the Telegraph reported that O2 had backed EE’s challenge.

U.S. spectrum developments: the AIRWAVES (Advancing Innovation and Reinvigorating Widespread Access to Viable Electromagnetic Spectrum) Act was introduced to Congress, proposing the repurposing of spectrum for licensed and unlicensed uses, addressing the need for additional high-, mid-, and low-band, spectrum for commercial use. The Act was welcomed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF).

Also this month the FCC opened a new inquiry into ways to expand opportunities for next-generation services (particularly wireless broadband services) in mid-band spectrum between 3.7 and 24 GHz. And following its allocation earlier this year of $4.53 billion over ten years to support 4G LTE mobile networks in rural communities, the FCC announced a new process for establishing an accurate map of unserved areas eligible for Mobility Fund Phase II funding. Also see commentary from NCTA – The Internet & Television Association on the importance of ensuring spectrum policy is based on the right balance of licensed and unlicensed spectrum; it recommends that the FCC authorise unlicensed use of the 5.9 GHz band, which is critical to supporting Gigabit Wi-Fi, and Maintain its designation of 64-71 GHz for unlicensed use and consider additional high-frequency unlicensed spectrum designations.

The FCC also launched a new inquiry into its annual broadband progress report. The FCC proposes to incorporate both fixed and mobile advanced telecommunications services into its study; one particular aspect on which comments are being sought is whether to deem an area as “served” if mobile or fixed broadband service is available. Also see commentary from FierceWireless.

Other spectrum, mobile and wireless developments this month:

• The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced a package of measures to boost digital connectivity across the capital and tackle London’s areas of poor connectivity, including the appointment of a troubleshooting ‘Not Spot Team’ and proposals to provide mobile coverage on the underground (also see the Telegraph and this previous post).
• T-Mobile U.S. announced it had started deploying spectrum in the 600 MHz band on its LTE network following its acquisition of this spectrum earlier this year. It claimed this as a world first for 4G services in this frequency band.
• Ericsson announced the achievement of speeds of 1.07Gbit/s across Verizon's commercial LTE mobile network in the U.S. in partnership with Qualcomm. Ericsson also announced that total global mobike traffic rose 67% year-on-year and 10 percent on a quarterly basis to over 10 exabytes per month in an interim update to its regular Mobillty Report.