Huge spectrum trade accelerates L-band bandwagon

Confirmation of Qualcomm’s sale of the 1452 – 1492 MHz range to operators Vodafone and Three follows reports that the sale will be worth £200 million. Each of the operators will be able to use their 20 MHz channel for Supplemental Downlink, a downlink-only technology that has been developed by Qualcomm in the band since it was brought at auction in 2008.

Meanwhile, in the Moroccan capital, spectrum regulators from the Arab States are currently deciding on their negotiating positions going in to WRC-15 this November. This includes Agenda Item 1.1, the identification of spectrum for mobile broadband.

The GSM Association, which is leading the mobile industry’s lobbying at the ITU, has identified four bands that it wants identified for mobile broadband: the UHF band, the L-band, the C-band and the 2.7 – 2.9 GHz band. While these bands have been met with varying degrees of enthusiasm from regulators, the one that has met with almost global support is a portion of the L-band (1427 – 1518 MHz). 

Following support from the Americas last week, four of the six regional groups that are preparing common positions support identifying at least part of the band for IMT at WRC-15. Only the RCC, which represents the states of the former Soviet Union, is opposed. For context, that group is against mobile broadband in almost all of the candidate bands, and is only actively supporting the identification of the 5925 – 6425 MHz band. 

Other bands have attracted much less support. For example, identification of spectrum below 694/698 MHz in the UHF band has so far been met with almost global opposition, apart from in the Americas, which is divided on the subject. 

If the Arab Spectrum Management Group does decide to support identification of the L-band then the GSMA will have an L-band full house in its hands at the global poker game which is WRC-15.

Regulators from around the world will meet at an ITU workshop in Geneva next week to discuss all of the Agenda Items going in to WRC-15. I will be reporting from the event, so if you are attending then please do come and say hello.

Toby Youell

27/8/2015