Picture: Ajit Pai, Chairman of the US, FCC.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) outlined plans to free up more spectrum for 5G and Wi-Fi, as well as opening up rules for rural carriers to promote investment, as it looks drive US leadership in the next-generation of mobile technology.

In a blog post, chairman Ajit Pai (pictured) outlined the regulator’s spectrum proposal, which will be voted on later this month, with the announcement building on a speech he made last week at a White House summit on 5G.

In his presentation, he focused on the FCC’s plan to promote US superiority on 5G technology through its 5G FAST Plan, on which he provided more detail with this latest announcement.

5G leadership
Starting with 5G, Pai highlighted the regulator’s plans to hold two auctions for high-band mmWave spectrum in the 28GHz and 24GHz bands beginning on 14 November, but added it also wants to free up mid-band spectrum for 5G and other uses.

Therefore, it is proposing to make better use of the 3.5GHz, which will “make targeted changes to our rules to promote investment and innovation in this important band”.

“For example, by allowing providers to renew 3.5GHz licences, we will substantially increase their incentive to deploy 5G networks using this spectrum,” said Pai.

While 3.5GHz spectrum has not been touted as 5G-suitable, it does have the potential to deliver more capacity and speed compared with spectrum currently used in today’s mobile networks.

Wi-Fi opportunity
Turning to Wi-Fi, Pai said the technology was enabled by the FCC’s decision to make certain spectrum available for unlicensed use and, as it becomes more popular, “so has the demand for more unlicensed spectrum to accommodate this traffic”.

Wi-Fi currently runs on only two frequencies, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, but expanding its use to another band could alleviate congestion.

Therefore, the regulator is proposing to expand unlicensed use in the 6GHz band, which would “promote efficient use of the spectrum that may otherwise not be used at all”. Pai added that it could make more than 1GHz of new unlicensed spectrum available.

“This last point bears elaboration: this massive amount of spectrum could enable faster Wi-Fi connections and substantially expand the reach of internet access providers that use unlicensed spectrum, like small, competitive fixed wireless companies,” he said.

Pai added the move could also enable mobile broadband companies to supplement their licensed holdings for 5G.

Finally, Pai said the regulator will also vote on modernising rules governing rural carriers, with the view of removing regulations to allow them to invest in their networks.

He said the order, if approved, would enable rural companies to take “resources currently wasted on regulatory compliance and devote them to building stronger networks and delivering better services”.

Source: Mobile World Live

Vodafone has been named the organisation with the Most Engaging Social Media presence in Ghana for the third time in a row.

Mr Sam Koranteng, Corporate Services Executive of Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) Ghana, has said the company was bent on giving its customers the latest products the connected world craved and would aid the quest for a digital epoch.

He said MTN furnished all manner of platforms to access media, "Internet of Things" and other emerging network-based technology trends and also encouraged the capacities of local populations to feed off the cyber revolution.

Mr Koranteng, who was briefing the Editors Forum in Ho, said MTN was working to close the network coverage gap, and to transform its network with the newest technologies.

He said MTN would continue to rollout the smartest service packages to suit the connectivity needs of its customers, which includes all ranges of business, and institutions.

Mr Koranteng said MTN Mobile Money holds the prestige as the Nation's first channel to all inclusive personal electronic finance, the nut in the shell of the cashless system.

The company's IPO recently became the first in the world with mobile-based monetary platform as a medium to subscribe shares, serving the stock market to over 120 000 Ghanaians.

MTN also holds several top spots on the Ghana Stock Exchange including raising the largest amount, most subscribers, and the firm with the largest Ghanaian shareholder base.

Mr Koranteng revealed that the company added 500, 000 more to Ghana's employment figures, three billion cedis plus in tax contributions over five years, and would hold on to deepening partnership with its clients.

He noted its livelihood empowerment contributions through a spectrum of initiatives, and said it would continue to heal cracks in the walls of society with health, education, business, and other interventions.

Modernghana.com

MTN Group received a boost in Nigeria after the country’s central bank softened its stance over a claim the operator transferred $8.1 billion out of the country illegally.

Bloomberg reported the Central Bank of Nigeria issued an email statement, citing representative Isaac Okorafor, which said MTN had provided additional information over the allegations that may lead to an “equitable resolution”.

MTN was last month ordered to refund $8.1 billion that the bank said had illegally been taken out of the country through dividends.

Shortly after, MTN’s woes in the country increased after the national regulator fined it $2 billion in back taxes related to the import of non-domestic equipment and payments to suppliers over the past decade.

The bank’s latest statement notably did not mention the tax fine.

MTN has refuted both claims, but said last week the claim for a total $10.1 billion in penalties would hinder a planned IPO in the country.

Step in the right direction
In the statement, Okorafor said four banks also provided further detail on the $8.1 billion claim, which will be reviewed by the central bank.

MTN has a history of long-running disputes in Nigeria and it will hope it can, indeed, find an amicable resolution as it did two years ago in another high-stakes row, when it negotiated a $5.2 billion fine relating to violations of rules around unregistered subscribers down to $1.7 billion.

Olusola Teniola, president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria said the latest development was “a step in the right direction. Continued dialogue to reach an amicable resolution is a minimum standard expected by the investment community”.

Source: Chamber News Desk