Industry body The UMTS Forum has urged the ITU to develop its new digital broadcasting plans so that the "digital dividend" following analogue television switch-off in the band 470-600 MHz is harmonised and made available for mobile services.

According to industry body The UMTS Forum, strong growth in demand for 3G/UMTS phones from European customers and continuing network rollout has contributed to a surge in worldwide WCDMA customer numbers during the last quarter of 2004.

Mobile industry body The UMTS Forum (www.umts-forum.org) has voiced its support for recommendations by the ECC* (Electronic Communications Committee) of the CEPT to designate the 2500 - 2690 MHz spectrum band for IMT-2000/UMTS networks.

In order to realize fully the socio-economic benefits of 3G/IMT-2000 networks and services, industry body The UMTS Forum (www.umts-forum.org) has urged India to align its mobile spectrum allocations with the internationally harmonised WARC-92 band plan.

Totaling 120 3G/UMTS licenses granted in 40 countries, 46 networks already operating commercially in 24 countries, and over 10 networks operating in a pre-commercial phase, the president of the UMTS Forum, Jean-Pierre Bienaim, during his participation in Futurecom 2004, backed global standardization as the key to the commercial success of 3G, stating that 3G/UMTS will be by far the predominant system all over the world because practically the absolute majority of the licensed carriers have chosen it. The growth of 3G/UMTS is supported by an increasing number of cellular handsets and PCMCIA cards (cards for laptops), there currently being over 75 models already launched or announced.

Delegates at the second roundtable hosted by China's 3G Leading Group and industry association The UMTS Forum today heard more about plans by China's national administration, operators and equipment manufacturers to introduce 3G/UMTS.

Industry association The UMTS Forum has confirmed that worldwide 3G/UMTS customer numbers have reached 10 million.

With 3G/UMTS confirmed as the world's most popular choice for Third Generation mobile services, The UMTS Forum has underlined the advantages to Brazil of becoming the first country in Latin America to offer 3G/UMTS networks and services.

The UMTS Forum and Russia's 3G Association have signed a co-operation agreement confirming their common interest to promote the success of 3G/UMTS mobile systems in the Russian region.

UMTS Forum Chairman Jean-Pierre Bienaim has underlined the benefits of 3G/UMTS evolution to China's mobile operators, customers and national economy.