European 800Mhz Band Reserved for LTE and WiMAX

The European Commission has announced the adoption of a Decision aimed at the harmonization of technical rules for Member States on the allocation the 800 MHz band of radio frequencies. The Decision aims at making these frequencies available for wireless broadband applications, and, although they do not require for the 790-862 MHz band to be made available for electronic communication services, the Commission said it was considering this proposal for the upcoming Radio Spectrum Policy Programme.

“This Decision paves the way for implementation of innovative broadband technologies and for the fast growing demand for wireless services to be met. I encourage Member States to take the necessary steps to implement the Decision, so that European businesses and citizens can take full advantage of the benefits of the switchover to digital TV,” Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes commented.

The 800 MHz frequencies are currently being freed up in a series of Member States as a result of the move from analogue to digital television. European Union countries willing to apply the new harmonized technical rules would have to make the frequencies available for high-speed wireless Internet services. The Commission advised Member States to act fast, as the management of this spectrum is expected to result in an increase of up to EUR44 billion in the EU's economy.

The infrastructure solutions that would provide mobile broadband coverage on the 800 MHz band are expected to be 70 percent cheaper than those needed for the radio frequencies in use on 3G networks at the moment. Operators should be able to enjoy lower costs when it comes to the deployment of these networks, while the coverage of wireless broadband is expected to be expanded. The application of the new technical rules for frequency allocation is foreseen to result in economic benefits by increasing the potential of wireless Internet services.

Currently, the 800 MHz band is used for terrestrial TV broadcasting. The Decision sets condition for the allocation of around one quarter of the frequencies, which are to be freed up as part of the switch from analogue to digital broadcasting, expected to be completed by the end of 2012. At the moment, the Commission is working on a Radio Spectrum Policy Programme, which might impose a date by which all Member States to make the 800 MHz band available.