Spectrum regulators may adopt measures to enhance competition when they prepare a new award of radio spectrum. Cullen International’s latest European Radio Spectrum research analyses these measures, showing that 12 of the 21 studied European countries took some measure to support new entrants in at least one recent spectrum award.
Some award rules reserved a part of the spectrum for new entrants, offering those blocks in a pre-auction. Another approach has been to limit the bidding rights of incumbent mobile operators by imposing spectrum caps. Some rules oblige one or more incumbent operators to offer national roaming to new entrants.
In addition, where spectrum regulators attach demanding coverage obligations to new spectrum licences, they usually foresee lighter requirements for successful new entrants.
For more information on our benchmark, please click on “Request Access”, or on “Access the full content” in case you are a subscriber of our European Radio Spectrum service.
more news
22 October 25
To Space and beyond – part II: Regulating and licensing the terrestrial part of satellite systems in the Americas
Our new satellite benchmark on requirements for fixed earth stations licensing in the Americas summarises the key regulatory procedures and identifies the relevant government authorities.
22 October 25
To Space and beyond – part I: satellite service regulation in the Americas
Our latest benchmark covers initiatives and general regulation on satellite services in 11 countries in the Americas. The research specifies the spectrum bands allocated to satellite services and whether operators must obtain a licence or register with authorities. Also including spectrum fees, when it applies.
22 October 25
2025 sees a global tightening of IoT regulations
Our Quarterly Regulatory Update on IoT and M2M Services (Q3 2025) highlights how national regulators are shaping the future of IoT and M2M services in areas such as cross-border connectivity, device regulation, and security.