Understanding total licence cost in mobile spectrum management

Please sign in or register for a free public account to access this report.
This is the first in a series of analytical pieces from GSMA Intelligence looking at how the cost of mobile spectrum is measured.
Around the world, national regulators use different financial models when charging for mobile spectrum. Despite the different approaches, the overall aims are consistent – to cover the costs of spectrum management, to efficiently manage spectrum demand across competing use cases or to generate revenues for the state.
The most commonly used type of analysis for comparing access spectrum costs is $/MHz/population. This calculation takes the price paid when spectrum is awarded and divides by the amount of spectrum awarded and then the population. This report examines the impact of looking at the total licence cost (rather than just spectrum assignment costs) on the more traditional ways of making comparisons.
Related research
Network Sunsets, Q2 2025
This quarterly series leverages GSMA Intelligence data on network sunsets to identify the key trends and understand the future. The report outlines the latest developments in network sunsets. The data provided here covers network sunsets by year, technology and region. The report also spotlights the momentum in 2G/3G network sunsets in the context of total active 2G/3G networks globally.
Digital Foundations: The Path to People-Centred Smart Cities
Many local governments are turning to digital solutions to fill critical data gaps, advance climate action and enhance the accessibility, affordability and reliability of essential urban services. This report takes stock of the trends shaping smart city deployments in Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Spectrum Pricing in the 5G Era: Türkiye
As demand for mobile data accelerates, spectrum policy will play a decisive role in determining whether Türkiye can keep pace with international connectivity standards or fall behind.
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 moreRelated research
Network Sunsets, Q2 2025
This quarterly series leverages GSMA Intelligence data on network sunsets to identify the key trends and understand the future. The report outlines the latest developments in network sunsets. The data provided here covers network sunsets by year, technology and region. The report also spotlights the momentum in 2G/3G network sunsets in the context of total active 2G/3G networks globally.
Digital Foundations: The Path to People-Centred Smart Cities
Many local governments are turning to digital solutions to fill critical data gaps, advance climate action and enhance the accessibility, affordability and reliability of essential urban services. This report takes stock of the trends shaping smart city deployments in Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Spectrum Pricing in the 5G Era: Türkiye
As demand for mobile data accelerates, spectrum policy will play a decisive role in determining whether Türkiye can keep pace with international connectivity standards or fall behind.
- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics