Broadband News
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Mobile World Calling for More Spectrum
16 Feb 2009 | 16.57 Europe/London
There's the usual flow of product launches and press releases at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week, many of which relate to mobile data and broadband.
While LTE and WiMax jostle to capture the technology spotlight there is much talk of the need to release more spectrum for use by smarter mobile devices and for mobile broadband coverage.
The "digital dividend" spectrum is that which will be made available when the transition to digital TV is completed in 2012 and the analogue TV signals are terminated.
Today also saw OFCOM announce that the UK mobile companies have met their license requirement to cover 80% of the UK population with 3G services.
While LTE and WiMax jostle to capture the technology spotlight there is much talk of the need to release more spectrum for use by smarter mobile devices and for mobile broadband coverage.
"The mobile phone industry is calling for 25% of the digital dividend spectrum to be made available for the mobile industry," said the GSMA's chief marketing officer, Michael O'Hara. "It must be harmonised across Europe so we all have the same bit.
If that spectrum is made available, this industry is ready to invest in new services to reach rural populations."
The "digital dividend" spectrum is that which will be made available when the transition to digital TV is completed in 2012 and the analogue TV signals are terminated.
Today also saw OFCOM announce that the UK mobile companies have met their license requirement to cover 80% of the UK population with 3G services.