|
4. Conclusions
WRC-07 is encouraged to decide on a regulatory frame-work that supports bridging the Digital Divide. This
framework would allow service providers to introduce advanced mobile technologies in a cost-efficient manner
that enhance the availability of the services and thus the mobile users’ experience. IMT-Advanced technologies
are especially important to the continued growth of wireless services, particularly in emerging markets. Here,
IMT solutions will improve geographical coverage, support new business models and make affordable IMT
devices more readily available.
Range creates affordability
|
- The Digital Divide can be reduced by identifying bands with better
radio wave propagation properties, such as the UHF band(470-862 MHz)
for range and affordability.
|
The UMTS Forum encourages WRC-07 to identify globally harmonised spectrum for IMT below 5 GHz. Hence,
the UMTS Forum recommends, where applicable, that WRC-07 allocates spectrum to the Mobile Service on
a primary basis; specifically, the UMTS Forum encourages WRC-07 to identify for IMT the candidate bands as
discussed above, primarily a harmonised sub-band of around 100 MHz from the band 470-862 MHz, the 2300-
2400 MHz band, and the 3400-4200 MHz band. By doing so, WRC-07 can ensure that IMT technologies can
be deployed successfully, bringing rich mobile communications and reliable broadband access to everyone,
everywhere – and to bridge the Digital Divide.
A chicken and egg situation: if you don’t have any money, how can you afford the mobile phone that will help you to earn money?
|
Mobile communications backed by a proper and sustainable business plan can help less wealthy individuals and communities to improve their economic and social situation.
The key is to provide access by making mobile communications available to small communities. This can spur small-scale commercial possibilities – like phone sharing businesses – which generate local income and
provide access to mobile communications at minimal cost. Phone sharing is one such idea that has caught on rapidly in emerging markets such as South Africa. What’s more, the creation of wealth in any given area
tends to have a knock-on effect: as people earn more, they buy more, and use more services. And this in turn means that more people generate more wealth.
|
|
