BROWSING: Policy

FCC proposes $12.9 million fine for spoofed robocalls

The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a $12.9 million fine for a robocall operator whose spoofed calls allegedly included conspiracy theories, attempts to influence a jury and racist and anti-Semitic elements. The FCC accused Scott Rhodes (also known as Scott Platek) of sending thousands of...

In Brazil, 5G on hold as spectrum auction is delayed

The delay in the 5G spectrum auction could cost Brazil billions Brazil is proving to be a popular destination for 5G equipment vendors. Both Ericsson and Nokia have demonstrated significant interest in the South American country, with the former announcing plans to invest $238.3 million...

New UK player seeks to broker shared and private networking for enterprises, cities

The Freshwave Group, a new UK network provider, is seeking to combine telecoms expertise and real-estate savvy to plug coverage gaps in public mobile coverage with shared and private networking. It is targeting enterprises and cities, as they seek to leverage new data traffic...

FCC gives CBRS the nod for full commercial deployment

PAL auction scheduled to begin in June The Federal Communications Commission officially gave the nod yesterday for full commercial deployment in the Citizens Broadband Radio Service shared spectrum, certifying CommScope, Federated Wireless, Google and Sony as Spectrum Access System administrators for a five-year period. The FCC...

Decision on Sidewalk Labs delayed as Toronto seeks public review

Waterfront Toronto, in charge of the $1 billion redevelopment of Toronto’s waterfront neighbourhood, has extended the deadline on whether to move forward with Google sister company Sidewalk Labs’ proposal for the smart city enclave. The board of Waterfront Toronto has extended the consultantion period from...

UK to release 6 GHz and 100 GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi in smart homes, offices, factories

UK regulator Ofcom is proposing to make 500MHz of contiguous spectrum in the lower 6 GHz band available for unlicensed indoor Wi-Fi and low-power outdoor Wi-Fi usage. It has also revealed plans to release an additional 18GHz of Extremely High Frequency (EHF) spectrum, above...

FTC vs. Qualcomm–FTC’s changed tactic undermines its confidence in the case (Analyst Angle)

The stage is set for Feb 13th, 2020, hearing of FTC vs. Qualcomm antitrust case at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit). In preparation, FTC, Qualcomm, and many interested parties have filed their briefs in support and against...

mmWave auction activity surges as FCC pushes toward conclusion

Auction total hits $7.5 billion, as bidders scoop up licenses in smaller and rural markets A nudge from the Federal Communications Commission has prompted a surge in bidding activity in the ongoing millimeter wave spectrum auction, with bidders broadening their interest to include licenses in...

Does AI need to be regulated? Views from the World Economic Forum

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already being used in a variety of applications, including automated analysis of video captured by security cameras or to assess the quality of items moving down a manufacturing line, for instance. But with converging technological trends, particularly 5G and pervasive...

Brits back drones for emergency services, environmental monitoring, says Vodafone

Most people in Britain would support regulated usage of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, for critical services and industrial enterprises, according to a report by Vodafone. Eighty per cent of the British public would support their adoption if better safety, security and monitoring measures...

Davos calls for Reskilling Revolution, as 75% of manufacturers can’t fill roles

The World Economic Forum has zeroed-in on skills and training as it seeks to put the world right in Davos this week. It has launched a programmer, Reskilling Revolution, to provide one billion people with better education, skills and jobs in the face of...

Will 5G change the world? Views from the World Economic Forum

Titans of global government and industry are descending on Davos, Switzerland, this week for the World Economic Forum to explore the 2020 theme, "Stakeholders for a cohesive and sustainable world." And, as has increasingly been the case in recent years, leaders from the technology...

Ireland sets out five-year Industry 4.0 strategy to drive digital skills and tech

The Irish government has unveiled a five-year Industry 4.0 strategy to help manufacturing firms to respond to technological change.  The plan, announced last month, includes €23.5 million of funding for the Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) Centre, a joint initiative between Enterprise Ireland and the IDA,...

FCC commissioners cite midband spectrum, workforce training as needs for 5G

Commissioner Michael O'Rielly mentions "new action" on macro sites in the "very near future" In testimony before the Senate Commerce committee this week, FCC commissioners Michael O'Rielly and Jessica Rosenworcel laid out their perspectives on the United States' key 5G needs and hinted at possible...

Five steps on the road to industrial 5G – licences / fees (step #3)

This article, in five parts, is continued from Step 2, about spectrum and regulation; Step 2 can be found here. “Once frequency usage fees have been clarified – a significant detail required for investments in industrial 5G – nothing will stand in the way of...

Senate bill would put $1.25B in play for 5G O-RAN R&D, security

A new, bipartisan bill in the Senate would require the Federal Communications Commission to set aside $750 million in spectrum auction proceeds to strengthen the ecosystem of open standards-based 5G solutions that don't originate from China, including OpenRAN and the Telecom Infra Project. The bill...

Congressmen applaud FCC move to reallocate 5.9 GHz for C-V2X, unlicensed use

Transportation officials pushback on shift away from DSRC, potential for unlicensed use In December, FCC passed notice of proposed rulemaking that would reallocated 75 megahertz of the 5.9 GHz band for C-V2X and unlicensed use. 45 megahertz would go for unlicensed uses like Wi-Fi;...

GSA: C Band is ‘most important spectrum band for 5G’

Mid-band spectrum in the C Band is shaping up to be central to 5G, according to a new report. In a new report on C Band spectrum, the Global mobile Suppliers Association reports that auctions and allocations in the C Band "have come thick and...

FCC takes a fresh look at 5.9 GHz band following ‘decades of dormancy’

The economic value created by Wi-Fi in the U.S. is projected to double by 2023, reaching nearly $1 trillion After what FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has referred to as “two decades of dormancy,” the FCC is taking a fresh look the 5.9 GHz band, ultimately...

Biting the hands that feed you SEP technologies (Analyst Angle)

Longstanding and economically efficient balance in Standard-Essential Patent licensing is being destabilized by misinformation and manipulation of commercial practices and of benchmarks in Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory licensing. This is epitomized in litigation between Apple and Qualcomm, commencing January 2017, until settlement in April...

Five steps on the road to industrial 5G – spectrum / regulation (#2)

This article, in five parts, is continued from Step 1, about spectrum and regulation; this can be found here. 2. SPECTRUM / REGULATION Another crucial part of the jigsaw-roadmap –  a clearing of the road, rather than a shortcut – is with spectrum. The lack of...

Where are we today with CBRS and what’s next?

CBRS waiting for FCC on full commercialization and is on evolutionary path to 5G Around the world, the 3.5 GHz band has been tapped by operators as key mid-range 5G spectrum. In the U.S. that frequency, referred to as the Citizens Broadband Radio Service band,...

mmWave auction bids reach $1.4 billion

Bidding in the Federal Communications Commission's latest auction of millimeter wave spectrum has reached more than $1.4 billion, after three days and eight rounds. Three more rounds will be held today, with three rounds per day to be held next week as well. The latest Spectrum...

Telefónica Deutschland selects Huawei for 5G build amid global tension

The German government is drafting security guidelines for the expansion of 5G networks German mobile operator Telefónica Deutschland, which operates under the O2 brand, will allow Huawei to help build its 5G network despite the ongoing global tension around whether the Chinese company should be...