2G Spectrum Released by EU for Faster Services

Reports say that the 900 Mhz GSM spectrum has been released by the European Union for the engagement of other advanced services such as 3G or the latest 4G technologies. It is also reported that the European Union has announced the following of the European Parliament by ministers' council in approving the plans. It is believed that this move will be a shot in the arm for the mobile broadband operators currently litigating over the re-allocation of the spectrum.

It was in 1987 that a part of the 900MHz spectrum was reserved to be only used by devices based on GSM, by the GSM Directive of 1987. The fresh announcement by the EU enables the entrepreneurs to engage the most advanced technologies such as 3G or 3.5G in the spectrum, which in its turn would increase the range as well as the performance standards.

Meanwhile, a situation prevailing in the UK mobile broadband segment points to the parts of the 900MHz spectrum being still controlled by two networks namely O2 and Vodafone, while the other three – T-Mobile, 3 UK and Orange are left with the consolation of the 1800MHz GSM range. It will be an obvious disadvantage to the challenging threesome, if the previleged duo would create more competitive services through redployment of the spectrum.

The resultant dispute prevailing between the operators over the question if O2 and Vodafone should be given the nod to continue dominating the disputed spectrum. The government's attempts to broker an amicable deal have almost reached an impasse. Meanwhile, Ofcom had suggested that the previleged two should shed two chunks of 2.5MHz from their total allocation of 17.4MHz lots each.