FCC to ‘consider something different’ for 42 GHz band

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel says the agency will take a different approach than usual for regulating the 42 GHz band.

Traditionally, the FCC has relied on auctions to allocate spectrum licenses. However, Rosenworcel expressed her belief that the agency had overinvested in millimetre wave (mmWave) auctions while neglecting mid-band spectrum.

In recent years, the FCC has made efforts to address this by launching auctions in the 3.45 GHz and 2.5 GHz...

9 June 2023 | 5G

Vodafone UK and Three to announce merger ‘Friday or early next week’

Vodafone and Three-owner CK Hutchison are expected to announce the merger of their British operations “as soon as Friday or early next week”.

The report comes via Reuters which cited three sources familiar with the plans. According to the sources, the long-anticipated merger is now in its final stages.

According to insiders, the structure of the deal will adhere to Vodafone's previous announcement in October. Under the arrangement, Vodafone would own 51 percent of...

7 June 2023 | 5G

Uswitch: Ofcom’s missed ‘One Touch Switch’ deadline costs Brits £1.85B

Uswitch claims that Ofcom’s failure to enforce its ‘One Touch Switch’ deadline will cost 11 million broadband customers in the UK a total of £1.85 billion per year in overpayments.

The research was released on the same day that Ofcom's One Touch Switch, a new broadband standard designed to make switching providers easier, was due to come into effect. Earlier this month, Telecoms reported that the deadline was likely to be missed.

Ernest Doku, Telecoms Expert at...

3 April 2023 | Broadband

Ofcom’s easy broadband switching process set for delay

A deadline for broadband providers to implement Ofcom’s new easy switching process is likely to be missed.

The ‘One Touch Switch’ process intends to make it easier for customers to switch their broadband provider.

Research from Uswitch found that over a third (36%) of broadband customers have never switched their provider. Many households could be missing out on savings which could help ease cost-of-living pressures.

“As broadband customers across the...

24 March 2023 | Broadband

Ofcom to make over 6 GHz of mmWave spectrum available

British telecoms regulator Ofcom has announced that it will make over 6 GHz of mmWave spectrum available.

The spectrum will span the 26 GHz (24.25-27.5 GHz) and 40 GHz (40.5 GHz-43.5 GHz) bands and deliver large increases in speeds and capacity.

Tony Eigen, VP of Marketing at Baicells, said: “Many countries, including the US, are already seeing the clear performance benefits of mmWave. Data from Ookla in the US revealed mmWave is achieving extraordinary speeds - almost...

14 March 2023 | 5G

Ofcom launches review into mid-contract price rises

Ofcom has launched a review into whether mid-contract price rises by telcos give customers sufficient certainty about their finances.

The cost-of-living crisis has made budgeting more important than ever as households feel the squeeze and many get pushed into financial difficulties.

In the UK, telcos are free to include a clause in their agreements that allow for inflation-linked price rises mid-contract. Some providers guarantee not to increase their prices mid-contract...

9 February 2023 | 5G

FCC establishes space bureau to meet growing demands

The FCC has voted to establish a space bureau that will support the flourishing industry.

Increasing private, public, and mixed ventures are leading to what some consider to be a new space race.

SpaceX is undisputably among the leaders driving this space renaissance. The company has launched over 3,000 satellites since 2019 and built impressive vehicles to lower space transportation costs.

This year, Amazon is set to launch its ‘Project Kuiper’ low Earth...

10 January 2023 | Hot Topics

Ofcom politely asks ISPs not to raise broadband prices

British telecoms regulator Ofcom has given a polite notice to ISPs not to raise their broadband prices.

Self-inflicted economic chaos aside, the UK is – like many countries – in the grips of a cost-of-living crisis. Inflation is expected to hit 11 percent in October and food inflation is at the highest rate ever recorded.

Overall, the hit to UK household spending power is the biggest for at least 30 years.

Most companies are under strain from higher running...

29 September 2022 | Broadband

FCC announces winners of $313m from Rural Digital Opportunity Fund

The FCC has announced the latest winning bidders of a $313 million pot from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.

The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund aims to fund new broadband deployments in areas across the US with limited or no connectivity.

Now in its eighth round, the fund has provided over $5 billion in funding to date for new deployments across 47 states—bringing broadband to over 2.8 million locations.

The winning bidders from the latest round...

25 March 2022 | Broadband

US carriers want $5.6B from the FCC for axing Huawei and ZTE

Carriers in the US are seeking $5.6 billion in reimbursements following the FCC’s decision to axe Huawei and ZTE from national telecoms networks.

The FCC voted unanimously in 2019 to ban carriers from using the Universal Service Fund to subsidise purchasing equipment from companies deemed a national security threat. Huawei and ZTE were the first two firms to be classed as such threats.

In 2020, former President Donald Trump signed the Secure and Trusted...

7 February 2022 | Legislation & Government