December 2008

Welcome to the first edition of the GSMA Digital Dividend e-newsletter.

The Digital Dividend spectrum that will be freed up by the switchover from analogue to digital TV represents a 'once in a generation' opportunity for a significant reallocation of spectrum. This has the potential to bring affordable mobile broadband services and Internet connectivity to people all over the world.

The mobile industry is lobbying hard for national regulatory authorities to reassign Digital Dividend spectrum for mobile use, and this e-newsletter will be issued regularly to provide an update and analysis of the latest decisions, and summarise developments in the GSMA's lobbying campaign to secure Digital Dividend spectrum in harmonised bands for mobile use.

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Digital Dividend for Mobile - momentum gathers in Europe

At the World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC) in Geneva in 2007, the re-allocation of Digital Dividend spectrum was a key item on the agenda. After considerable debate, the 790-862MHz band was identified by WRC for mobile use in ITU Region 1 (Europe). This band will allow mobile operators to provide a cost-effective, continuous, seamless broadband experience, allowing for improved rural coverage and better quality coverage in urban areas. However, the WRC identification is a recommendation only and each national regulatory authority is now considering whether to implement the recommendation in its own market.

Since WRC 07, the mobile industry has been lobbying for NRAs in Europe to allocate the 790-862MHz band as a minimum, stressing the importance of frequency harmonisation, which is critical for the successful, cost- effective, deployment of mobile broadband. (Click here to read more about the benefits of frequency harmonisation )

In recent months, considerable progress has been made towards this goal as successive NRAs have announced that they are following the WRC identification and allocating spectrum in the 790-862MHz band for mobile broadband use.

The first to announce was Sweden in December 2007. The Swedish government will auction the 790-862MHz spectrum band to mobile operators in late 2009 or early 2010. Finland followed hard on the heels of Sweden announcing in July 2008 that it too would license 790-862MHz, although an auction date will not be announced until cross-border coordination procedures with Russia have been agreed.

In October 2008, France unveiled its 'Digital Plan' which included an announcement that the same 72MHz of UHF spectrum will be allocated to the provision of mobile broadband services. France, where analogue switch-off is scheduled for 2011, is likely to be the first country in Europe to hold auctions of this band; these are scheduled to take place in late 2009.

The most recent country to allocate Digital Dividend to mobile is Switzerland, where the Federal Council announced in November that spectrum in the 790MHz - 862MHz frequency band will be made available for mobile use, although the auctions are not likely to take place until 2013.

As momentum gathers pace, it appears that two more countries in Europe may be nearing a decision. In the UK, although no formal announcement has been made, the Chancellor Alastair Darling's Pre-Budget Report of late November stated that the Digital Dividend "could present significant new efficiencies and benefits to UK and EU consumers and industry, many of whom are making increasing use of devices and technologies that rely on a supply of suitable spectrum". He confirmed that the UK Government will work with Ofcom and other stakeholders, in preparation for the Digital Britain report, to capture the maximum benefits from radio spectrum.

In Germany, there is strong momentum towards a decision on 790-862MHz with recent statements from Chancellor Angela Merkel on the need to increase broadband infrastructure and Finance Minister Michael Gros, who has spoken of the ability of the Digital Dividend frequencies to create broadband access. We believe there is a growing consensus to release this spectrum for mobile use.

The European Commission is strongly supportive of broadband, and of harmonised bands.

Digital Dividend at the Mobile World Congress

At the Mobile World Congress 2009 in Barcelona from 16-19 February, the GSMA will be undertaking a series of activities to ensure the allocation of Digital Dividend spectrum is a front-of-mind issue for governments, regulators, operators, vendors and content providers.

Mobile Broadband Seminar

Aimed specifically at government ministers and regulators, this invitation-only event will take place on Tuesday 17th February. An impressive line-up of speakers from regulatory bodies and mobile operators will debate the importance of Digital Dividend spectrum, frequency harmonisation and clarity on the issue from NRAs. For further information contact Isabelle Mauro

Digital Dividend Pavilion

The GSMA will also be hosting a Digital Dividend pavilion where all delegates can learn more about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that the Digital Dividend represents. Visitors will be able to: attend any of a series of presentations; see HSPA mobile broadband demos; learn about the latest NRA and regional decisions on UHF spectrum; and gather collateral, messaging and tools to help encourage their own governments to support the allocation of UHF spectrum for mobile services.

The Digital Dividend pavilion's location is AV10 in the main Avenue of the Mobile World Congress site at the Fira Montjuic in Barcelona. We look forward to seeing you there. For further information or to volunteer as a speaker in the Digital Dividend Pavilion presentation programme, contact Susie Hendrie

To learn more about the Digital Dividend, visit the GSMA website at www.gsmworld.com/digitaldividend

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