The Nature of Telecom Capex until the End of Decade
This new free report explores the nature and development of telecom capital expenditures (Capex) in Western Europe until the end of the decade. It begins by outlining Capex’s cyclical nature,…
Infrastructure
Operators around the world are building the next and 5th generation of mobile networks. 5G is clearly an evolution, and commercial products are combinations of 4G, 5G, NB-LTE and other technologies. While 5G promises a new technological revolution, there are major regulatory challenges to deploy networks and new business models.
Strand Consult’s survey of the past 25 years of building and operating mobile networks shows that conditions for mobile operators have gotten worse, not better, for operators. The process to erect a single mobile mast/antenna can take between 12-36 months and cost €150,000 – €350,000. Policymakers and local government want to copy-paste the tower paradigm to small cell networks, a development which would kill 5G in the cradle.
While operators are stepping up their investments in spectrum, infrastructure, and technology, consumers increasingly complain about mobile coverage. Demand for data has exploded but subscriber revenues have not kept pace. As such, operators need to take concerted steps to optimize the expected benefits and costs when they deploy 5G. Operators need to learn how to rollout infrastructure, to find partners for business models, and to address the regulatory challenges that impede its business.
Mobile World Congress 2024: A Preview by John Strand, Strand Consult
Strand Consult’s marks its 21st year of coverage of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) with this annual preview Research Note. Each year Strand Consult offers its growing global audience its…
Lawmakers in the US and the South Korea investigate Big Tech’s usage of broadband networks to ensure fair cost recovery
Europe lacks some €300 billion in investment to achieve next generation broadband goals. An accumulation of misguided EU telecom regulation has sent capital to more favorable investment regions, like the…
A global movement for broadband fair cost recovery is underway. John Strand talks with internet policy experts Roslyn Layton and Petrus Potgieter
Why do you have such a big interest in the way companies charge for traffic on the internet and what you call “fair cost recovery”? CEO John Strand talks with…
Three New Empirical Reports from Strand Consult: Mobile Mergers, Infrastructure, and 5G
Strand Consult´s three latest reports provide empirical research on three specific important areas: mobile mergers, infrastructure (middle mile economics in wireline broadband networks), and the economic value of licensed spectrum…
Telecom operators want to be green. Some have the real deal in renewable energy; others, like Vodafone, greenwash
Telecommunications and other technology companies like Vodafone, Google and TDC can impact the environment. It’s no secret that telecom infrastructure and data centers consume significant energy. At the same time,…
Middle Mile Economics: How streaming video entertainment undermines the business model for broadband
The pandemic has heightened the importance of braodband with policymakers and increased the urgency of closing the digital divide, particularly in the US as FCC data shows that 22% of…
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed how we look at telecom infrastructure, cloud and AI. Here are six questions for future telecom regulation
The coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has proven that telecom infrastructure is critical. Telecommunications networks delivered service during the lockdown, enabling many to continue to work, learn, shop, and access healthcare. Policymakers…
How to deploy 5G: Best practices for infrastructure, regulation and business models
Operators around the world are building the next and 5th generation of mobile networks. 5G is clearly an evolution, and commercial products are combinations of 4G, 5G, NB-LTE and other…
10 things that to be in place before 5G will be a commercial success – It’s more than building and running mobile infrastructure. How to avoid the situation that the iPhone gets all the revenue – again.
The media has much focus on 5G, creating hype around high speeds, low latency and new revenue for mobile operators. It’s as if operators just build a 5G network, and…
The historical facts show that the T-Mobile/Sprint merger is good news for competition, innovation and infrastructure investment in the USA
Since the announcement by T-Mobile/Sprint, the media has exploded with predictable stories that the merger is bad for competition. These are stories we hear every time has been consolidation in…
If the goal of the Open Internet is to ensure users’ rights and a good network experience, why did the EU ignore 8 telecom regulators who wanted to expose bad smartphones?
Strand Consult has for many years focused on providing consumers with good mobile network experiences. In May 2013 we released the research note Telecom regulators in 8 countries launch war…
