Global Spectrum Ownership with MHz-POPs Analysis

Spectrum ownership varies significantly from one country to another. The number of major carriers can change. So can the amount of spectrum each carrier controls.

The frequency bands involved also matter.

Looking at these differences can provide useful insight into a wireless market. It can also help show how a carrier's spectrum position may affect its network capabilities and overall value.

Spektrum Metrics' Web Spectrum Viewer makes it easier to explore these differences. Its MHz-POPs analysis provides a countrywide view of spectrum ownership. Users can compare carriers and drill down into specific frequency bands.

In our recent YouTube video, we use the Web Spectrum Viewer to compare spectrum ownership in the U.S., Mexico, Germany and Canada. This article highlights some of the key insights from that analysis. Watch the full video to see the tool in action and explore the data behind these comparisons.

What Is MHz-POPs Analysis?

MHz-POPs combines the amount of spectrum a carrier controls with the population covered by that spectrum. This gives analysts another way to compare spectrum holdings.

That distinction matters when comparing spectrum portfolios across large geographic areas.

Spektrum Metrics' analysis can break MHz-POPs down by broad band classifications, including:

• Low band
• Lower mid band
• Upper mid band
• Total spectrum

The analysis can then go deeper.

Users can select an individual frequency band and compare spectrum ownership among carriers. This makes it possible to move from a broad view of a market to a much more specific one.

Spectrum Ownership in the United States

The U.S. market provides a good example of why this level of detail matters. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) manages the use of commercial spectrum in the United States. However, spectrum ownership and control can vary significantly by carrier and frequency band.

The analysis shows four major players dominating the country's spectrum landscape. Recent transactions involving DISH, AT&T and SpaceX have also changed the picture.

The differences become clearer when looking at individual bands.

Consider 600 MHz spectrum. T-Mobile has roughly twice the MHz-POPs of AT&T in this band. The national view shows T-Mobile with 47% of the 600 MHz spectrum. AT&T has 22% while other carriers account for another 29%.

The picture changes when the analysis expands to all low-band spectrum.

Holdings in 700 MHz and cellular spectrum become part of the calculation. This gives a different view of each carrier's overall low-band position.

This is an important distinction.

A carrier's position in one frequency band does not necessarily represent its position across an entire spectrum classification.

Spectrum Ownership in Mexico

Mexico has a very different spectrum landscape.

The analysis shows a large amount of spectrum under the control of the regulatory body. Only two carriers appear as significant commercial spectrum owners in the initial view.

The low-band view provides more detail.

The analysis identifies 700 MHz spectrum held by a nationwide operator. The regulatory body has not yet offered the 600 MHz spectrum through a spectrum auction. AT&T and Telcel each account for about 10% in the low-band view shown in the video. The analysis also shows PRM holding the 700 MHz spectrum discussed in the video.

The result is a market where regulatory control plays a significant role in the spectrum ownership picture.

Spectrum Ownership in Germany

Germany offers another perspective.

The analysis identifies three national carriers. They hold spectrum across the low, lower mid and upper mid bands.

There are also important differences between the carriers.

Telefonica has somewhat less spectrum than the other two national carriers. The carrier identified in the video as DRL has no low-band spectrum. It does hold 6% of the lower mid band and 7% of the upper mid band.

The other three carriers shown in the analysis have much more similar distributions. Vodafone, Telefonica and T-Mobile each have roughly 30% of the low band and lower mid band. Their upper mid holdings are in the mid-20% range.

The 700 MHz band provides another useful comparison.  The major carriers control similar shares of the spectrum, with some variation by carrier.

Again, the broader band classification and the individual frequency band tell slightly different stories.

Spectrum Ownership in Canada

Canada has three national carriers along with several strong regional players. The analysis identifies Freedom Mobile, Videotron and Explornet among those regional operators.

The low-band view shows Rogers with the largest share at 31%. Telus and the carrier identified in the video as Bell Mobility each have 16%.

The 600 MHz picture is different.

Rogers holds 41% of the band in the analysis. Freedom Mobile has 26%. Bell Mobility has 14%.

Bell Mobility also has a stronger position in the 700 MHz band.

These differences show why it is useful to examine both broad spectrum classifications and individual frequency bands. A carrier's overall low-band strength may not reflect its position in a specific frequency band.

Why Spectrum Ownership Analysis Matters

Spectrum ownership is more than a simple measure of how many megahertz a carrier controls.

The frequency matters.

The population covered matters.

The distribution of spectrum across bands matters.

Looking at all of these factors provides a clearer picture of a carrier's spectrum position.

MHz-POPs analysis helps put that information into context. It gives analysts a consistent way to compare spectrum holdings across carriers and countries.

The ability to move between different views is also important.

You can start with the total spectrum picture. Then you can look at low band, lower mid or upper mid spectrum. From there, you can examine an individual frequency band.

Each view can reveal something different.

Using Spectrum Data to Understand Wireless Markets

Countrywide spectrum analysis can support many types of wireless research.

An analyst may want to compare spectrum holdings among major carriers. They may want to compare a specific frequency band. They may also want to understand how a carrier's spectrum portfolio differs between markets.

The answers are not always obvious from total spectrum holdings alone.

A carrier may have a strong position overall but a smaller share of a particular band. Another carrier may have fewer total holdings but control a larger share of an important frequency range.

MHz-POPs analysis makes these differences easier to see.

They can use the same approach to compare spectrum ownership across countries. That creates a consistent framework for comparing wireless markets.

A Clearer View of Spectrum Ownership

The U.S., Mexico, Germany and Canada each have different spectrum ownership structures.

Several major players dominate the U.S. spectrum market. Mexico's spectrum landscape includes significant regulatory control. Germany has three national carriers with relatively similar holdings across several classifications. Canada combines national carriers with strong regional players.

Analyzing spectrum ownership at multiple levels makes these differences easier to understand.

MHz-POPs analysis provides that view.

It allows users to examine carrier concentration by band classification and frequency band. It also provides population context for those holdings.

That information can help analysts better understand network capabilities and the broader wireless market.

With Spektrum Metrics, users can explore these relationships across countries and see the spectrum data behind the market.