Any delay in opening this spectrum to mobile services – freed up as a result of the switch-over from analogue to digital TV broadcasting – risks hampering the development of European industries and deployment of new innovative offerings while consumer demand is increasing.

The transition from analogue to digital TV technology allows a better use of the UHF band. Beyond the broadcasting of existing and new TV channels to fixed and mobile terminals, part of the spectrum could be used by mobile broadband telecommunication networks, provided that all compatibility issues are solved. First experiences in different European countries indicate a strong interest from consumers for such new convergent services based on mobile broadband.

Based on favourable radio-wave propagation, the use of this frequency range would allow enhanced coverage of rural and sparsely populated areas as well as deep indoor buildings coverage by broadband mobile communication networks in a more cost-effective manner, easing the bridging of the digital divide.

WRC-07 offers a unique opportunity to bring some harmonisation and innovative uses in this spectrum range on a worldwide basis. The CEPT European Common Proposal is not in line with proposals from the European mobile Industry and from other regions, in particular those from the Americas and Asia-Pacific which favour the opening of the band to mobile applications at the WRC-07. An opposition by CEPT would have a very negative effect on worldwide harmonisation of mobile communications. Also, CEPT ECC has concluded in its Report B⁴ that “the harmonisation of a sub-band of the UHF band for mobile communication applications (i.e. including uplinks) is feasible from a technical, regulatory and administrative point of view”.

ETNO, the UMTS Forum, the NGMN Alliance and GSM Association/GSM Europe support the European Commission’s views that “An upgrade in the mobiles service’s status in the UHF band in Europe would increase flexibility and remove a potential constraint to the future optimal organisation of this band.⁵”

ETNO, the UMTS Forum, the NGMN Alliance and GSM Association/GSM Europe believe that the allocation of the band 470-862 MHz to the Mobile Service has to be pursued at the WRC-07. Whilst such an allocation is not binding to Administrations for the use of the band, it would give certainty and confidence for European industry to respond to consumer demand for innovative mobile services. Postponing the decision until 2011 would leave the European Information Society behind other parts of the world.

¹ Geneva, 22 October – 16 November 2007
² National Administrations that are members of the UMTS Forum cannot be bound by the views expressed
³ CEPT: European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
⁴ CEPT TG4 Report B: “Technical feasibility of harmonising a sub-band of bands IV and V for fixed/mobile applications (including
uplinks), minimising the impact on GE06”, Annex 6 to ECC(07)091 Final
⁵ COM(2007)371 final: Communication from the Commission on The ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2007 (WRC-07)

The contributors to this joint statement are:

	ETNO (http://www.etno.eu/) is the voice of the European telecommunications network operators with over a decade of experience in shaping EU telecoms policy. The association represents 41 companies located in 34 European countries. They account for an aggregate annual turnover of more than 250 billion € and employ over one million people across Europe.
For further details, please contact Michael Bartholomew, Director: - e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Tel: +32 2 219 3242 For press enquiries, please contact Thierry Dieu, Communications Manager: e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Tel. +32 2 227 1082
	GSM Europe (http://www.gsmeurope.org/) is the European Interest Group of the GSM Association, the premier global body that supports the world's leading wireless communications system. The Association works to promote, enhance and protect the interests of the GSM mobile operator community worldwide. GSM Europe represents 150 operators in 50 countries/areas of Europe.
For further details, please contact Eirini Zafeiratou, Director: - e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Tel: +32 2 706 81 04
	NGMN Ltd. (http://www.ngmn.org/), an open alliance, was founded by leading international network operators representing more than half of all mobile phone users worldwide. Key objectives are to ensure the technical feasibility through the coordination of technology trials as well as through providing input to standards development organisations. The NGMN Alliance position on spectrum requirements for the next generation of mobile networks is detailed in a White Paper downloadable from the website.
For further details, please contact Tina Niemeyer – e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
	The UMTS Forum (http://www.umts-forum.org/) is an international industry association committed to the education, promotion and worldwide commercial success of 3G/UMTS mobile systems. Membership of the UMTS Forum comprises players from all sectors of the industry and is open to all organisations with a commercial interest in 3G/UMTS mobile.
For media enquiries, please contact Chris Solbé, UMTS e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Tel: +44 7956 388 798