| 2009-09-16 End users in rural areas across Europe could get access to mobile broadband services as early as next year after a decision by the European Union. The 27 EU member countries made a unanimous decision in late July to amend the 1987 GSM Directive, allowing the 900MHz frequency to be used for 3G and eventually 4G.
Mats Nilsson, head of Ericsson’s European Affairs Office in Brussels, Belgium, says the decision comes after much lobbying on the part of the telecom industry.
“This final stage of the process began in May this year and the publication of the amended directive is expected at any time,” Nilsson says. “The amended directive gives operators new capabilities for mobile broadband, providing customers with almost total urban and rural coverage that is comparable to today’s GSM networks.
“There is also only limited additional investment needed, because existing GSM900 sites and infrastructure can essentially be reused.
Because lower frequencies travel further, the 900MHz band is well suited to rural coverage. The longer range also means that fewer base stations are needed.
Today, most 3G systems in Europe use higher frequencies, such as the 2100MHz band.
“The infrastructure costs of providing mobile broadband coverage to 70 percent of the European population on the 2100MHz frequency is the same as providing coverage to 99 percent of the population on the 900MHz band,” Nilsson says.
“Member states have been waiting for the amended directive which brings the go-ahead to implement 3G and mobile broadband in the 900 MHz band.”
EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding says: “The GSM standard has been a success story for Europe, where it was born. By updating the GSM Directive, the EU has paved the way for a new generation of services and technologies where Europe can be a world leader. This reform will remove constraints on operators so they can deploy new technologies in the GSM bands to develop high-speed mobile broadband services. This should give a welcome boost to Europe’s wireless economy and help trigger the take-off of a ‘Digital Europe.’”
The directive had been delayed a few months because it was part of the broader Telecoms Package, but a decision was made to separate the vote for the GSM Directive to prevent further delay. The European Commission expects this will bring capital savings of up to EUR 1.6 billion for the provision of a single Europe-wide network through more efficient management of the radio spectrum.
When the directive is ratified, EU member countries will have six months to adjust their legislation and implement the directive. |