EU agrees to open up GSM spectrum for other technologies
by Darren Murph 
posted Nov 29th 2007 at 11:31AM
A 20-year old EU legislation is on the brink of being abandoned, and it's good news for those wanting more 3G across the pond. Reportedly, European Union telecom ministers supported proposals to "open radio frequencies allocated exclusively for GSM mobile phone services to other technologies, such as 3G mobile data." If approved by the European Parliament, creating a 3G network in the 900MHz band could provide "up to 40-percent greater coverage than one in the 2,100MHz band for the same capital expenditure," according to the GSM Association. Furthermore, some 300 million more individuals across Asia, Europe and Africa could purportedly have access to mobile broadband by 2012 if operators could use the 900MHz spectrum for 3G services. Sounds good from here, but we've no idea how long it'll take to hear a final decision on all this.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jorgillo @ Nov 29th 2007 1:31PM
Good, make that CDMA too, coupled with software radio BTSs and roaming agreements, and you have true global roaming in no time and no matter what technology your local carrier/operator has you locked in.
Brodie @ Nov 29th 2007 1:35PM
OK... I'll ask the obvious question:
How is there a 20 year old law regarding 3G?
Is there also a 15 year old law about WiMax and HDTV too?
Carl @ Nov 29th 2007 3:20PM
It's a 20 year old law saying what can be used on 900Mhz (GSM only) it never specifically banned any one technology like 3G.
RC @ Nov 29th 2007 2:19PM
But the question is will any carrier want to stray away from GSM in Europe?
I think the article says that they are looking into allowing 3G HSPA on the 900MHz band which is currently 2G GSM only.
Timothy @ Nov 29th 2007 2:53PM
Europe will permit CDMA2000 when Cyprus freezes over.
SuperPrime @ Nov 30th 2007 2:03AM
Bulgaria and Romania have CDMA2000
jkkmobile @ Nov 29th 2007 4:53PM
This means that operators can use gsm and 3g ( umts ) same time at 900Mhz band.
jkkmobile @ Nov 29th 2007 4:53PM
..it is already possible in some places... like in Finland.
Psychav @ Nov 30th 2007 11:47AM
It's actually a twisted joke to make those who shelled out billions on the first 3G licenses look even more silly.