Spectrum for Mobile Broadband
Mobile networks could make broadband universally available to people across developed and emerging markets, significantly contributing to the socio-economic wellbeing of societies around the world. Mobile broadband could have a particularly positive impact in less-developed countries which have limited fixed line infrastructure. Numerous studies have found the widespread use of broadband stimulates economic activity, increases productivity and creates jobs.
The GSMA runs an ongoing global campaign to secure the spectrum required to meet the fast growing demand for mobile broadband.
Data traffic on existing mobile broadband networks is growing exponentially as consumers and business users increasingly use smartphones, laptop dongles, tablets and other devices to access the internet, email, business applications, social networks and many other online services.
Although there is scope for operators to repurpose, or refarm, the spectrum bands allocated to second-generation mobile services to carry mobile broadband services, they will also need new spectrum to provide additional capacity.
Full mass-market usage of mobile broadband, particularly in densely-populated or heavily-visited areas, will depend on more spectrum becoming available. Mobile data traffic is growing far faster than experts anticipated. In 2005, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) forecast worldwide mobile traffic would increase from around 610 PB per year in 2010 to around 1450 PB per year in 2020—in reality, in 2010 mobile traffic was seven times the 610 PB forecast. (Source: ITU, Analysys Mason).
The development of mobile broadband devices and services requires significant investment by the industry and, therefore, regulators need to ensure that they draw up transparent and stable long-term spectrum policies and ensure that each spectrum-related decision is consistent with these policies.
It is crucial that operators and manufacturers can develop new products and services in a clearly-defined and stable regulatory environment, confident in the security of spectrum allocations.
