Insights

At the European 5G conference, Stefan Zehle highlighted that differences in mobile data usage across countries result from variations in price and network availability. While European policymakers celebrate 89% 5G coverage, gaps in both outdoor and indoor connectivity limit usage. William Webb’s prediction that data traffic will plateau at 20 GB per user per month by 2027 seems unlikely, given that top users already exceed 100 GB. To fully realise 5G’s potential, policymakers must address these coverage issues in a cost-effective manner.

In his book The End of Telecoms History, William Webb uses extrapolation of mobile data usage growth curves to claim that mobile data user requirements are nearly met and that we have all we need. He predicts mobile data usage to plateau at around 15-20 Gbytes/user/month. Webb claims that no further investment in 5G capacity is needed and that the only remaining problem is ubiquity, notably in-building coverage. This article provides evidence that, while the author makes some good points, his analysis with regards to mobile data usage is flawed and hence the conclusions he draws are quite wrong.

Three UK’s long struggle to generate value highlights the risks of late entry into a maturing mobile market, and why consolidation often makes more economic sense than new entry.

What appears to be a simple spectrum auction can be anything but. Coleago analyses Afghanistan’s 2024 multi-band spectrum auction, examining pricing outcomes, auction design choices and key lessons for regulators.

Sudan’s 2023 multi-band spectrum auction offers important lessons for regulators on reserve pricing, rule design and bidder preparation. Coleago provides an insider’s perspective on what worked, what did not, and how future awards can be improved.