Spectrum for new entrants, lessons learned
This insight is open to all subscribers and registered users, or available by completing the form.
Regulators must be wary of the conditions under which new entrants can thrive before allocating valuable spectrum. Reserving spectrum for new entrants may not result in effective competition or sustainable market players, while leading to an inefficient use of the resource. This is particularly important in the context of future 4G-suitable spectrum assignments, since 4G services require wider bandwidth.
Spectrum allocation is often seen by regulators as a way to facilitate the entry of new players in a market with a view to stimulate competition. However, our research demonstrates that the majority of new entrants that launched services since early 2010 did not impact the competitive structure of their respective markets, demonstrating that the success and lifespan of new entrants depends on a number of factors that tend to be excluded from the regulatory framework.
Our analysis shows that the number of existing players in the market at the time a new entrant launches services is a significant indicator of its ability to influence the competitive structure, with new entrants’ marginal gains (in terms of connections market share) falling significantly as the number of existing operators in the marketplace increases.
Report details
Spectrum for new entrants, lessons learned
Download the report
Complete the form to get instant access to this content. For easier access in the future, you can register for a free account here.
By submitting this form, you agree that your email address and related activity on the platform will be processed for the purpose of generating and providing the requested report. Your data will be shared with GSMA Intelligence for this purpose. For more information, please see the GSMA Intelligence Privacy Policy.
Report details
Spectrum for new entrants, lessons learned
Download the report
Complete the form to get instant access to this content. For easier access in the future, you can register for a free account here.
By submitting this form, you agree that your email address and related activity on the platform will be processed for the purpose of generating and providing the requested report. Your data will be shared with GSMA Intelligence for this purpose. For more information, please see the GSMA Intelligence Privacy Policy.
Related research
Digital Nations 2026: Accelerating the digital leap in Japan
The government and private sector in Japan have intensified their efforts to make a decisive ‘digital leap’ – a shift away from the incremental modernisation of legacy systems towards a bold, comprehensive transformation aimed at establishing a fully integrated, human-centred digital nation. By examining Japan’s recent digital policies and initiatives, this research reveals the strategic pillars and underlying factors supporting the country’s accelerated 'digital leap'.
Sovereignty at MWC Barcelona 2026: the content consensus
For much of 2025 and early 2026, the development of sovereign AI and sovereign digital service strategies – including the role telecoms could play in supporting them – was regularly in the news. For operators, the strategies represent an opportunity to support national agendas, reassert their relevance in the digital economy and drive new revenues based on their position as highly regulated and trusted service providers. This analysis looks at the sovereign messaging conveyed in sessions at MWC from operators, vendors, regulators and cloud providers.
Spectrum Navigator, Q4 2025
This quarterly series leverages the GSMA Intelligence Spectrum Navigator tool to identify key trends and insights. The report outlines the latest important developments in the spectrum world and the key trends to watch going forward.
Authors
How to access this report
Annual subscription: Subscribe to our research modules for comprehensive access to more than 200 reports per year.
Enquire about subscriptionContact our research team
Get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis.
Contact our research teamMedia
To cite our research, please see our citation policy in our Terms of Use, or contact our Media team for more information.
Learn more- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics
How can we support you?
Get in touch
Contact the GSMA Intelligence support team for help with your account, subscriptions, or access to reports and insights.
Newsletter
Subscribe to the GSMA Intelligence newsletter for the latest industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.