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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Research: 6 GHz benchmarking update January 2023

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.

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.