News and Insights

Looking Ahead to WRC-27

by | Jan 29, 2024 | ,

By Elena DeJaco   Every four years, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the regulatory body of the United Nations charged with orchestrating the international spectrum rules of the road, convenes a World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) to update...

5G is in its Swiftie Era

by | Dec 1, 2023 | ,

By Elena DeJaco Verizon is making the case for 5G through Taylor Swift in the hopes of a telecommunications gold rush. The mobile industry has been through a bit of a cruel summer struggling to find a way to demonstrate the value of 5G to consumers. The first few...

5G mmWave – Patience or Persistence?

by | Oct 2, 2023 | ,

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and European telecommunications regulators are looking to release more millimeter wavelength (mmWave) spectrum, even as previous mmWave remains relatively unused.  Doubling down on mmWave would cause more “greenfield spectrum” to sit idle.  Thus, this blog explores the status of mmWave in the United States and Europe and why regulators should carefully craft future license requirements if they release more of the spectrum.  It will describe the early mmWave optimism and successful applications, the current underutilization of mmWave licenses, and the future plans of regulatory agencies to offer more mmWave licenses.

A Prognosis for the Future of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for the Benefit of America

by | Aug 8, 2023 | ,

When one hears news about artificial Intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML), one understandably thinks of programs such as OpenAI’s Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer, better known as ChatGPT; but AI is much more than ChatGPT. AI and ML are poised to affect every aspect of our lives, promising, despite serious challenges, to positively impact communications and spectrum management, among other fields.

Understanding the National Spectrum Strategy 

by | Jun 12, 2023 | ,

In recent years, U.S. policymakers’ attempts to balance spectrum uses have become increasingly contentious. It is against this backdrop that NTIA has begun drafting a National Spectrum Strategy (NSS), intended to maximize use of scarce spectrum resources, facilitate continued U.S. leadership in wireless technology, and update the entire federal government’s approach to spectrum.

Why Spectrum Policy

by | Apr 5, 2023 | ,

“Spectrum” is a broad term for all the available radio frequencies, over which wireless communications  can be sent. I like to think of my favorite radio station growing up, HITS 104.5. HITS used a specific band (a range of related frequencies) of spectrum, to broadcast (send information) to car radios like mine. As technology has improved, once simple radios have matured to communicate more complex information at higher speeds. Radios that once played the HITS are now capable of making telephone calls, streaming Netflix shows, connecting IoT devices, piloting drones, navigating cars and planes, mining cryptocurrency, maintaining blockchains, enabling mobile banking, and the list goes on. As such, spectrum is a fundamental resource enabling much of the function of the modern world.

The Internet of Everything is Coming, and it Needs 6G

by | Mar 8, 2023 | ,

Ever been mad while stuck at a traffic light? Traffic conditions are light, but the light is timed, or the embedded sensor is not working correctly. Or have you been frustrated to find your smartphone traffic apps giving erroneous information and guiding you to your destination late? Or how about trying to create a smart home only to run up against compatibility/Interoperability roadblocks?

Why Polar?

by | Feb 6, 2023 | ,

Freedom Technologies Inc. (FTI) is proud to inaugurate “PolarConsult,” a new, bespoke consulting service in which we offer guidance to companies and organizations seeking to craft their strategies and risk management steps for doing business and operating in and around the Arctic (and Antarctic) regions. The polar regions now represent a dynamic confluence of national and commercial imperatives, which have led to an increasingly complex conversation among stakeholders, policy makers, technologists, academics, and analysts. FTI is now part of that conversation, and our experts are eager to share their knowledge and perspective. In this blog post, FTI’s team seeks to outline why prudent companies and organizations need high-end guidance on Arctic matters, and how FTI is well-placed to help your company or organization become a part of that conversation.

Universal Connectivity: Getting Us All Online

by | Jan 2, 2023 | ,

The Digital Divide has already begun to close, but anywhere between 14 million and 42 million Americans (nobody is really certain) remain without access to broadband. Many others make do with expensive and/or slow services. The solution to this problem lies in a whole-of-society approach to improving competition, subsidizing rollout, and supporting the most vulnerable consumers.

2022 In Review: An Inaugural Spectrum Insights Blog (3/3)

by | Dec 27, 2022 | ,

Congress has consistently been involved in spectrum management and the development of new technologies, but in 2022 it has been surprisingly hands off. As we discussed in the first of our three-part retrospective on 2022, spectrum management in the United States is at a point of potential transition. It seems only natural that given the series of high-profile spectrum disputes of the past few years, and the recent slowdown in spectrum repurposing, that Congress would want to weigh in. Below we discuss what Congress has and has not done this year, delve into the dynamics at play, and forecast what to expect in 2023.

2022 In Review: An Inaugural Spectrum Insights Blog (2/3)

by | Dec 20, 2022 |

Even as regulators grapple with the challenges of today, they cannot afford to be blind to the spectrum trends of tomorrow. Non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite “constellations,” in-orbit servicing vehicles, and celestial exploration are just a few of the space-based activities that will require far more spectrum in the coming years. In this second installment in a three-part retrospective on 2022, we will dig in to the developing world of space spectrum, identifying major milestones from the past year.

2022 In Review: An Inaugural Spectrum Insights Blog (1/3)

by | Dec 5, 2022 |

Freedom Technologies Inc. (FTI) is proud to present Spectrum Insights, a new series in which we share our thoughts on developing spectrum and telecommunications trends. The world of spectrum is a rich conversation among stakeholders, policy makers, technologists, academics, and analysts. FTI has been part of that conversation since 1992, and our experts are eager to share their perspective. In the series of blog posts below, FTI’s technology policy team seeks to explore some of the most fascinating and impactful developments in our corner of the world, inviting you to join the conversation.