GSM Spectrum Papers & Public Policy Statements

The advantages of common frequency bands for mobile handset production - technical note

This is a GSM Association white paper, based on independent research. This research, by RTT, examined the impacts on mobile handset design and costs, of not having common frequency bands identified internationally.

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UMTS900 - Benefits and issues

There is a growing interest in deploying UMTS in the 900MHz frequency band. Compared with UMTS deployment in the 2100MHz band, UMTS900 will reduce the cost of coverage for mobile communications services, especially into rural areas. Ovum's modelling undertaken for the study indicates that UMTS900 can generate cost reductions of up to 40% in capex and 30% in overall costs when compared to a baseline case scenario of deployment using UMTS at 2100MHz. These lower costs are primarily due to the radio propagation characteristics in the lower band which provide greater reach of UMTS900 and improved in-building coverage. The cost reductions may allow an operator to economically roll out higher data rate services to a larger percentage of the rural population.
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Optimising spectrum for future mobile service needs

This white paper looks at two important issues surrounding the future use of the 3G extension bands (2.5 - 2.690 GHz). The first issue is the importance of reserving this spectrum for IMT-2000 technologies. The second is the importance of planning this spectrum band in an efficient manner, and the choice of FDD1/TDD2 channelling arrangements chosen.

The first part of the paper looks at the benefits of spectrum harmonisation, and how this has led to the reduction in costs of GSM handsets, which spurred extra take-up. This in turn has created a virtuous circle, making GSM the most popular worldwide mobile technology, with over 1.7 billion users today. In 1995 GSM had some 13 million users worldwide, with around 10 million users in Western Europe (nearly 80%)3. The paper argues that there is a need similar support for 3GSM in the nascent start up phase today, as was shown for GSM in the early 1990's.

The second part of the paper deals with spectrum efficiency and planning issues to do with the ITU channelling arrangements chosen. The ITU proposed three options, the first has FDD and TDD4 technologies separated in frequency. The second allows for only FDD use in the bands. The third option allows the flexible use of FDD and TDD, which requires significant spectrum guard bands to prevent interference. This mixed use also imposes significant costs on operators in the deployment of 3GSM in the extension bands. This white paper argues that only options one and two from the ITU should be adopted (ie with FDD and TDD not operating in the same spectrum). Read more...