Spectrum is a scarce resource and can be used more efficiently if several users can agree on a form of sharing. A new benchmark on spectrum sharing in Europe shows the variety of different approaches used by operators and regulators.

Mobile network operators have pooled their spectrum licences to implement a multi-operator radio access network (MORAN) and have also shared their core network (multi-operator core network, MOCN). Examples of large-scale common networks can be found in Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Italy and Sweden. In addition, smaller levels of cooperation can be found in several other countries.

Regulators have also adopted rules to allow certain cases of sharing, to mandate sharing in underserved areas or to encourage sharing through new forms of licensing, such as the club-use licences for the 26 GHz band in Italy.

Spectrum sharing can also be used between mobile operators and other services. Examples of this approach include licensed shared access (LSA) in the 2.3 GHz band and the use of so-called white spaces in the frequency band used for TV broadcasting.

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