The Case for Strategic Spectrum Renewal
As spectrum licences approach their expiry date, a strategic approach to spectrum renewal is crucial. Traditional presumption of renewal in favour of incumbents may no longer serve the industry’s needs. Instead, a more strategic approach to renewal can optimise spectrum assignments and improve spectral efficiency by up to 40%.
The mobile industry’s technological landscape has changed significantly in the past two decades, with revenue growth stagnating, consolidation leading to fewer operators and the rise of 4G and 5G technologies. Current spectrum assignments often result in fragmented, inefficient holdings, reflecting the outdated needs of legacy technologies like 2G and 3G. With the growing substitutability of certain bands, such as 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz, operators can now compete effectively without holding both bands.
This trend calls for a shift from automatic renewal to a more proactive approach, where operators and regulators collaborate to optimise band plans in order to reduce fragmentation and increase the availability of large, contiguous bandwidths. A strategic renewal process could significantly improve spectral efficiency without requiring additional spectrum release.
Operators should not wait for formal renewal processes but should engage proactively with regulators and other operators to identify trades, swaps and potentially M&A opportunities to optimise spectrum usage across the market through the creation of win-win outcomes.
Additionally, the promotion of spectrum sharing and the introduction of multi operator core networks (MOCN) for 5G offer further opportunities for efficiency gains. A comprehensive review of existing spectrum holdings and regulatory conditions, along with long-term traffic growth forecasts, can help identify and address inefficiencies.
By undertaking a strategic spectrum review, mobile operators can realise efficiency gains, optimise existing spectrum portfolios, and potentially reduce their dependence on, possibly expensive, future spectrum awards. Coleago Consulting’s recent review across multiple markets revealed efficiency gains of up to 40% in some markets, highlighting the importance of an industry-wide, strategic approach to spectrum management.
In summary, optimising existing spectrum holdings before acquiring new spectrum is essential for minimising future spectrum investment. Operators can benefit from a strategic spectrum review, allowing them to deliver efficiency improvements while aligning with regulatory best practices.
About Coleago Consulting Ltd
Coleago Consulting specialises in telecoms strategy, offering expertise in spectrum management, regulation, and network strategy. For more information or to discuss the benefits of a strategic spectrum review, contact Graham Friend at [email protected].
Other insights
Satellite Connectivity and the Operator Challenge
The rapid expansion of low earth orbit satellite constellations and the emergence of direct-to-device connectivity are creating one of the most significant strategic challenges the mobile industry has faced in decades. Satellite operators are evolving from niche providers serving remote areas into potentially powerful competitors capable of delivering broadband and mobile connectivity directly to consumer devices independently of terrestrial infrastructure. Coleago examines the commercial, strategic and regulatory implications of this shift from the perspective of mobile network operators.
Satellite Services and Regulatory Challenges
The rapid emergence of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations and direct-to-device (D2D) technologies is reshaping the communications landscape. Satellite systems are evolving from niche, complementary solutions into mainstream providers of broadband and mobile connectivity, capable of connecting directly to smartphones without intermediary infrastructure. Convergence between satellite and terrestrial mobile networks raises profound regulatory, economic and competitive questions for policymakers worldwide.
Insights from the Pakistan 2026 Multi-Band Spectrum Auction
Pakistan’s 2026 spectrum auction released unprecedented volumes of spectrum. This Insight provides an insider perspective on the multi-band award, drawing on Coleago’s direct involvement in supporting a successful bidder, and explores the auction design, bidding dynamics and key lessons for regulators.
Spectrum Renewal: A Framework for Spectrum Valuation and Pricing
Mobile connectivity supports economic development, social participation and digital innovation across every modern economy. Yet the performance and resilience of this ecosystem depend on a scarce national asset – radio spectrum. As many countries approach key licence renewal milestones for the original IMT 4G spectrum bands that were issued 10 to 20 years ago, the question of how to value spectrum and how to determine an appropriate renewal price takes on increasing importance in the case where the spectrum is being renewed via an administrative or hybrid auction process.
Leveraging Terrestrial Mobile Spectrum for D2D capacity
This article was first published in the GTPRN 2026 Newsletter, February 2026. It provides a fresh perspective on the merits of leveraging terrestrial mobile spectrum for D2D capacity. Terrestrial mobile spectrum could be used to substantially increase D2D capacity precisely where it is needed the most given that in 90% of the globe’s surface there is no shortage of spectrum.
Navigating Spectrum Licence Renewal: Lessons from Australia
Australia’s spectrum licence renewal process shows how operators can align regulatory engagement with commercial strategy. This case study highlights Coleago’s role in helping Optus secure optimal outcomes, from evidence-based submissions to spectrum planning for 5G and 6G.