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3. Spectrum for IMT
Together with the current family of IMT-2000 standards – including UMTS - the expected new ITU framework
for IMT-Advanced will form the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT). IMT will be designed from a
technical, operational and regulatory point of view to provide an extensive choice of mobile communication
services, including broadband wireless access. These services will take into account the requirements specific
to the developing regions of the world.
UMTS Forum recommendation
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- In order to reduce the Digital Divide,
harmonization of about 100 MHz below 1 GHz for IMT at WRC-07 will
result in economiccoverage as well as costefficient user equipment.
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WRC-07 is the right time to help ensure the future of mobile communications. The requirement for new allocations
and identifications of spectrum is expected to not only attract a high level of interest, but also to pose some
significant challenges. Considering current traffic developments, WRC-07 needs to continue the success of
previous Conferences which incorporated two elements into the decision making:
- globally harmonised spectrum
- global standards
These elements are critical to enabling economies of scale, affordable consumer devices and market success.
Of these two factors, globally harmonised spectrum for IMT is the most critical issue at WRC-07. In fact, identifying
additional spectrum for IMT1 with highly developed capabilities is essential to meet the projected demand for IMT mobile broadband high bit rate services.
Furthermore, the identification of globally harmonised spectrum supports globally standardised radio technologies,
which underpin the ability to achieve economies of scale that enable affordable user equipment. It allows for the
service providers to reduce network OPEX and CAPEX and to bring more affordable and ubiquitous advanced
mobile broadband services to a wider range of consumers to satisfy the communications requirements in all regions of the world.
If WRC-07 identifies new spectrum for IMT according to the considerations above, it will pave the way for a
truly global mobile digital society for everybody ensuring that next generation mobile networks and services are universally available.
Why is more spectrum needed for IMT?
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- IMT will offer universal
communications for all, and it needs to be very versatile in
performance providing full mobility/wide area coverage/large traffic volumes/ high-bit-rates. The existing IMT-2000 spectrum, however, is not sufficient because:
- it is already heavily used by 2G networks in many parts of the world
- it does not support the expected high bit rate technologies with wider (than 5 MHz) channel bandwidths
- it cannot cater for expected capacity demand
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In light of the above objectives and various proposals to the Conference, the UMTS Forum recommends thatWRC-07 takes the following decisions on Agenda Item 1.4:
- To allocate the frequency band 470-862 MHz to the Mobile Service on a co-primary basis in Regions 1 and 2, and identify a harmonised sub-band of about 100 MHz for IMT from the band 470-862 MHz in all Regionsto satisfy the coverage needs.
- a globally harmonised solution for providing IMT services in large geographical areas of low population density
- a globally harmonised sub-band is needed in order to achieve cost-efficient equipment available in a timely manner
- To identify the band 2300-2400 MHz for IMT; this band is located close to the bands already identified for IMT-2000 mobile services:
- this would ensure that these bands share similar propagation conditions
- may facilitate reuse of technical components in equipment and devices used for the bands 2 GHz and 2.5 GHz.
- To allocate the band 3400-4200 MHz to the Mobile Service on a primary basis and identify the whole band for IMT:
- fulfilling the anticipated capacity needs of the future IMT systems including mobile broadband wirelessaccess applications
- to cater for expected future high bit rate services with very wide (up to 100 MHz) channel bandwidths provided by IMT Advanced technologies
New spectrum for IMT should be decided at WRC-07
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- A delayed spectrum decision, beyond the WRC-07, would hold up the
possibility to reduce the Digital Divide in due time. This may lead to
the fragmentation of the spectrum for the future IMT networks.
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The “mobile lady”
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Rural villagers in Bangladesh can afford a mobile phone collectively through the “mobile lady” who purchases
a mobile phone kit. She then becomes a phone service provider, charging the villagers for calls. Mobile ladies
in Bangladesh started as a simple business idea of a village phone. Today it’s a burgeoning business, bringing
connectivity to thousands. Over time, this has evolved to include data services as well.
This can serve as an example of how access to public mobile communications has a ripple effect at the microeconomic
level. A mobile phone can help start a series of businesses; and, not just a result of people doing
business over the phone. There are further business opportunities including phone charging and mobile
phone repair shops.
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