Our objectives

The GSMA objectives at WRC-07 are set out in the Position Statement below:

Background

Having common harmonised frequency bands in as many countries as possible, for 3G mobile broadband technologies, will lead to economies of scale in handset production. This will help reduce the cost of ownership of mobile and allow more consumers to benefit from mobile broadband. Mobile broadband offers the best chance of delivering broadband to consumers away from city centres, just as mobile has done for voice. It is therefore in consumers' interests that the most economically advantageous spectrum be made available for mobile broadband, to help bridge the digital divide.

Download the GSMA presentation (PDF)
Download the GSMA presentation for CEPT region (PDF)

Position for WRC07

  1. That harmonised spectrum for IMT be identified in the UHF bands, below 900 MHz, at this WRC. That there be sufficient spectrum to ensure that at least 2 x 40 MHz of paired spectrum can be identified for IMT (with a suitable duplex gap). This should be at the top end of the present UHF TV band, with a suitable centre gap. This is to provide better coverage and more capacity with better economics. It also allows mobile operators to more efficiently reuse their existing 2G base stations. Promoting competition is also an important consideration, and sufficient spectrum should be found to allow for more than one operator in these UHF bands. This specifically means:

    a. In Region 1 the GSMA recommends that 750 MHz to 862 MHz would be allocated to the mobile service on a co-primary basis in the main body of Article 5 and identified for IMT in a footnote both at this WRC.

    b. In Region 2 the GSMA supports the CITEL proposal that 698 - 806 MHz would be allocated to the mobile service on a co-primary basis in the main body of Article 5 and identified for IMT in a footnote both at this WRC.

    c. With regard to Region 3, the GSMA believes that having common harmonised frequency bands is also important. The identification of a sub band of similar size for IMT should occur. This should be from the top end of the UHF band (below 900 MHz), and align with Region 1 or Region 2.

  2. Such action on the UHF band is needed at WRC-07, because the digital TV switch over is happening now in key markets. Waiting to the next WRC will dilute the benefit of any ITU harmonisation measures. Fragmentation will make finding common bands at a future conference much harder. This spectrum fragmentation will also not be a spectrally efficient outcome, and will lead to more interference problems between broadcasting and mobile services.

  3. Download the GSMA position on the C-band