Mexico’s Federal Commission of Telecommunications (Cofetel) has voted to adopt the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) band plan for the 700 MHz band for mobile services.
Cofetel noted that APT segmentation generates economies of scale which in turn will form an ecosystem of at least three billion users, representing a great opportunity to bring low-cost smartphones to people who were previously excluded from the benefits of broadband connectivity. The watchdog agency also highlighted the efficiency of using the 700 MHz band which will contribute to the mass adoption of mobile Internet in Mexico.
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Cofetel also stated that network deployment in the 700 MHz band requires five times fewer radio bases to cover the same area as a 2100 MHz network, reducing the costs of deploying a cellular network.
In statement, the industry group GSMA welcomed the Mexican regulator’s announcement, saying the decision will help move the mobile allocation of digital dividend spectrum forward and realize the social and economic benefits associated with mobile broadband.
“In light of yesterday’s decision, the GSMA encourages countries in Latin America to work together to implement a harmonized 700MHz band plan for mobile services,” said Sebastian Cabello, GSMA Latin America’s director. “Spectrum harmonization is essential to generate cost efficiencies in both network technology and devices, allowing deployment to remote areas to ultimately make mobile broadband services more accessible and affordable for all consumers.”
Last year, GSMA and AHCIET released a study noting the allocation of “digital dividend” spectrum in the 700 MHz band for deploying mobile services could contribute almost $15 billion to the Latin American economy and would expand mobile broadband coverage to nearly 93% of the population.
The greatest challenge for many Latin American countries is that the 700 MHz band is used by analog TV services, and the switch from analog to digital TV across Latin America will not be completed for a number of years.
