Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) has been deployed to provide broadband access for many years. FWA was mainly used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to provide service in rural areas. Both licensed as well as unlicensed spectrum has been used, often in the 3.5/3.6 GHz range, awarded in many countries on a regional basis to provide…
Johanne Lemay of LYA participated on a panel on Broadband Data Collection at the CCA Mobile Carriers Show in Tampa held on April 12-14, 2022. It generated some lively discussion on broadband subsidies… from maps to auction formats to processes and role of the FCC relative to NTIA and the states. Johanne’s presentation – Best…
The United States government, on November 5, 2021, passed the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684): a major investment in infrastructure across the country to improve competitiveness, reduce inequality and poverty, create good jobs, and grow the economy while making it more sustainable, resilient, and equitable. This $1.2 trillion legislation will invest in…
August 2, 2021 – Canada’s recently completed 5G auction of 3.5 GHz licenses – results announced July 29, 2021 – blasted through the previous high-water market for mid-band spectrum licenses. The total of C$8.91 billion (US$7.13 billion) in revenues for an average of 125 MHz per market in the 3450-3650 MHz range represents a record…
The 3.5 GHz band has been a key focus for licensing worldwide, following its positioning as key mid band spectrum for 5G. Major auction processes have been held in Germany, the UK, Italy – which so far has set the high water mark for valuation at over 50 cents per MHz-pop (US) – Spain, South…
Broadband access in rural areas is costly whether it is fixed or mobile. The low population density often coupled with remoteness make a positive return on investment for providers difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. Subsidies are available to help broadband providers bring their services at an affordable price for those living in rural areas,…
The Canadian telecom industry has been (im)patiently waiting for ISED – the Industry, Science and Economic Development Ministry – to make public key decisions that will shape the deployment of 5G services, and possibly of competition, in Canada for many years to come. Following on the heals of the recently completed 600 MHz auction, it…
Implementation of 5G services will require a trifecta of spectrum bands: low band (below 1 GHz) for coverage particularly in rural areas, mid band (typically 2-6 GHz) for capacity with reasonable coverage, and high bands (mmWave, typically above 24 GHz) for high capacity but with limited range. Worldwide auction activity is starting to reveal the…