While consumer experiences of mobile coverage often fail to live up to what is promised, regulators have been slow to adopt the most effective testing and reporting practices. They should prioritise the most accurate testing methods despite their additional costs, with Arcep’s approach in France one to follow.
Regulators will play a vital role in enabling D2D, but many are playing catch up. Authorisation regimes will need to prioritise licensing as well as spectrum and interference management if these new services are to finally help close the digital divide.
With technological advances bringing satellite connectivity to the fore again, policymakers have identified core uses for space-based communications. We outline the role for satellite connectivity and consider the limitations for broader adoption
