Concerns over public health and conspiracy theories saw more than 200 attacks on mobile masts. The anti-5G protests are not a first with previous generations of mobile technology sparked equally intense opposition. Consumer bodies can play an important role in dispelling myths
Regulators fight disinformation around 5G and health
Despite no supporting evidence, there has been a vocal group claiming 5G causes adverse health effects. In response, regulators have been publishing measurements of radio emissions from telecommunications equipment, which revealed that 5G emissions are still far from the maximum limits set out in national and international guidelines. Some regulators are also having to combat widespread disinformation on a link between 5G and the coronavirus pandemic, which has sometimes resulted in mobile infrastructure being vandalised.
What will be keeping regulators busy in 2020?
As we start 2020, we look ahead to the key issues regulators and policymakers will grapple with over the coming 12 months. We consider four broad areas: the first year of work for the new European Commission; the development of 5G (with regard to spectrum awards and network security); broadband policy and roll-out; and the approach to regulating platforms and big tech.
Germany’s 5G auction comes to a bitter end
After nearly three months of bidding, the multi-band auction of 5G spectrum in Germany across the 2GHz and 3.6GHz bands has come to an end. The length of the auction resulted in a high price (€6.5bn), especially considering the award did not include sub-1GHz frequencies.
Policymakers seek reassurances over 5G cybersecurity concerns
As the issue of security in 5G networks gains momentum, policymakers around the world are taking contrasting approaches. Concerns around the use of Chinese vendors is resulting in outright bans in some countries (US, Australia, New Zealand), whereas others are yet to take a definite stance, such as the UK whose government is finalising a review of the telecoms supply chain.
Content, speed, and 5G: the three things cable operators have front and centre of mind
On 6 November 2018, representatives of the cable operators gathered in London for the Cable NextGen Europe conference. The picture that emerged is one of an industry with some meaningful ammunition under its belt for the years ahead, in the form of innovative video platforms such as Vodafone’s new Cloud TV, and of new technology through which Gigabit speeds can be a reality.
Reform of CBRS in the US shows how the FCC values scale in 5G
US regulator the FCC has reformed the rules of the Citizen Broadband Radio Service (CBRS). The changes make licences much longer and wider in geographical scope; this will be seen favourably by the largest mobile operators in the country, whereas small local players will now struggle in obtaining licences.
FT-ETNO 2018 saw a lamenting of Europe’s regulatory environment
The FT-ETNO 2018 summit gathered policymakers, regulators, industry executives and investors from Europe and beyond to discuss and debate the current regulatory challenges facing the industry. While the narrative has now become familiar among this particular set of stakeholders, the ferocity of the messages delivered was perhaps different.
Italy’s 5G auction: a bad deal for operators at the wrong time
On 2 October 2018, Italy’s 5G auction came to a close, after a staggering 14 days of competitive bidding. The amount raised by the auction far exceeded the government’s expectations, reaching €6.5bn across the 700MHz, 3.7GHz, and 26GHz bands. At such a high price, it is likely that Italian MNOs will face challenges in deploying 5G quickly and efficiently.
Vodafone’s Future Ready Event saw a confident operator return to the stage
After a troublesome few years with customer service woes and the slipping from the top spot in terms of network leadership, Vodafone marked a confident return to the stage on Thursday with an impressive 5G demonstration at their ‘Future Ready’ analyst and media event.
