GSMA: Mobile Broadband Momentum Grows in Latin America
December 16, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS
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Action by governments in Latin America to make more spectrum available for High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA)-based mobile broadband services will help close the digital divide, according to the GSM Association (GSMA).
Brazil's regulator ANATEL is auctioning licenses for third generation (3G) services in the 2.1 GHz band, which is suited to providing mobile broadband services in densely populated areas, according to the GSMA.
ANATEL also allowed some of the existing mobile bands at lower frequencies to be used for mobile broadband services opening up the prospect of mobile broadband coverage in semi-rural and rural areas, said the GSMA.
"In total 15 commercial 3G networks have been commercially launched in Latin America with many others expected to be launched during 2008," said Oliver Flögel, chairman of GSM Latin America. "Globally, more than 145 networks offer commercial services across 65 countries."
The GSMA said there will be "rapid" adoption of HSPA-based mobile broadband in Brazil and it is important that the government and regulator start planning for the future allocation of the 2.5 GHz band, which was assigned by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as the 3G extension band to provide the additional capacity that will be required to meet this demand.
"It is critical that [frequency division duplex] FDD technologies such as HSPA have access to that band in the future without risk of technical interference," said Ricardo Tavares, senior vice president for Public Policy at the GSMA. "Securing the efficient use of the 2.5 GHz band for mobile technologies such as HSPA will reinforce the positive investment environment that is evolving in Brazilian telecommunications."
Flögel said other Latin American countries should develop a roadmap for the allocation of additional spectrum for 3G services.
"We foresee a major increase in demand for mobile broadband spectrum among end- users and it is therefore fundamental that governments establish a clear spectrum plan to cover the needs of mobile broadband services such as HSPA," Flögel said.
Source: GSM Association (GSMA).