All European Union countries should make the coveted 700 MHz band available for mobile broadband use by 2020, plus or minus two years, according to a recent report presented to the European Commission.
The report concerns the “ultra-high frequency” spectrum band between 470 MHz and 790 MHz, which is currently used by television broadcasters in many EU countries. Mobile operators want to use this frequency for wireless broadband. In a compromise effort, the report’s author, Pascal Lamy, also proposed reserving sub-700 MHz spectrum for broadcasters until 2030.
“For too long the broadband and broadcasting communities have been at loggerheads about the use of the UHF spectrum band,” Lamy said. “There have been many different views and perspectives. On the basis of discussions with the two sectors, I have put forward a single scheme that could provide a way forward for Europe to thrive in the digital century.”
While praising the effort to repurpose the 700 MHz band, Anne Bouverot, director general of trade association GSMA, issued a statement pushing for the earliest transition date proposed.
“To close the gap with North America and Asia, we believe it is essential that member states have flexibility to move sooner, preferably between 2018 and 2020 and potentially earlier, to respond to the sustained growth in mobile data traffic and the dramatic change in the way citizens across Europe are watching news and entertainment content, relying more and more on the Internet to access programming,” she said.
Bouverot also expressed concern over the recommendations for the sub-700 MHz band, saying it could put Europe at a “competitive disadvantage” in the future.
“Limiting Europe’s flexibility on the possible co-existence of mobile and digital broadcast services until 2030 will discourage investment in world-leading mobile networks,” she said.
The United States auctioned off 700 MHz spectrum in 2008, which is currently the foundation for LTE networks by a number of operators. The U.S. is also set to auction off spectrum in the 600 MHz band next year.
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