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Canada Sets World Record for Prices of Mid-Band Spectrum Licenses

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…

CRTC Applications for Broadband Funding – It’s a GO!

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,…

Will Canada Fire the Starting Gun for 5G Deployment this Week?

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…

5G Spectrum Trifecta Starting to Take Shape

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…

US Launches its First 5G mmWave Auction while Following a Distinctive Path for C-Band: Opportunities and Risks

On November 14, 2018, the FCC launched its first mmWave auction for 28 GHz spectrum, being awarded on a county basis, to be followed quickly by a second auction for 24 GHz spectrum, to be awarded on a PEA basis. Then, mmWave spectrum in the 37, 39 and 47 GHz bands will be awarded via…

FCC Agrees to Streamline Small Cell Planning Procedures

The FCC has adopted new rules that are designed to reduce mobile operators’ costs when deploying small cells. The Commission believes the rule changes could save mobile operators $2 billion in red-tape, which could stimulate another $2.5 billion of additional buildouts. These reforms, approved at the FCC’s September Open Meeting, are part of US policy makers’…