Europe split over 3G expansion bands
August 10, 2005
The future market for wireless broadband services in the European Union will be thrown open to question in October when member states vote whether to introduce a technology-neutral approach to spectrum previously earmarked for 3G systems.
According to a report published by Informa Telecoms & Media, European states have split into two camps. One led by the UK and, crucially, with strong backing from the EU, is pushing to adopt a free-market approach to the 3G expansion bands (2.5 MHz -2.69 Mhz). The other, led by France and Finland, wants the EC to mandate use of IMT-2000 technologies only.
"In principle, the debate is about whether Europe eventually embraces a free market approach to spectrum management," says Paul Lambert, editor of Global Mobile. "However, in practice, the proponents claim a multitude of issues are at stake, not least of which is the future of Europe's telecommunications manufacturing industry."
The EC hopes that October's vote, to be held at a meeting of the EC-led Radio Spectrum Committee, will lead to the 2.5-2.69MHz spectrum bands, currently set aside for WCDMA, utilised by rival wireless broadband technologies such as WiMAX and OFDM-based systems.
If agreement can't be reached within the European Commission-led Radio Spectrum Committee by December, the issue will move to the European Parliament.
A decision is expected to become law in individual member states by end-'07, while spectrum in the 2.5-2.69 MHz band is expected to be allocated across Europe by the beginning of 2008.
|
