| Spectrum
Allocation Issues
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Radio spectrum is indispensable to the provision of
mobile communication services. The spectrum is a
finite resource and can accommodate a limited number of simultaneous
users at one time.
For this reason, governments divide the radio spectrum
into non-overlapping blocks. The management of the
spectrum involves first, the allocation of these
blocks of frequencies for particular users (e.g.
broadcasters, military, mobile operators etc..) and
second, the assignment of specific frequencies
within the allocated blocks to different
"licensees". Generally, licensees have the
exclusive right to use the assigned frequencies to
provide designated services. Typically, spectrum
users are granted temporary licenses, even though renewal
is often a formality.
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The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), held
every two to three years by the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU), attempts to establish a
global framework for the use of the radio spectrum. Its
objective is to establish frequency allocations and
regulatory procedures for the harmonious operation of
global radiocommunication services. Global coordination
ensures that services are not impaired by interference of
competing signals and transmissions.
The last conference, held in Istanbul in May-June 2000 (WRC
2000), approved the additional spectrum requirements
for 3G services or IMT-2000.
The agreement
effectively gave a green light to the mobile industry
worldwide to start deploying IMT-2000 networks and
services. Mr. Utsumi, the Secretary General of the ITU
said: "The entire mobile industry was looking
forward to clear signals from this conference to overcome
the last hurdle for global wireless systems...This
landmark decision now provides a stable basis for
investors to back up the industry and gives a clear
go-ahead to manufacturers to start building equipment for
IMT-2000 for their customers – operators and consumers
alike".
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| Hot Links
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Selected International Materials
 ITU,
World
Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC) and Radiocommunication
Assemblies
WRC
2003 (9 June - 4 July 2003)
European
Radiocommunication Office
- European
Radiocommunication Office (ERO) Reports on WRC 2000
Radio
Spectrum Policy in the European Community
European
Commission, Comparative
assessment of the licensing regimes for 3G mobile communications in
the European Union and their impact on the mobile communication
sector , Annex,
June 2002
Papers and Articles New America Foundation, Open
spectrum: the new wireless paradigm, Kevin
Werbach, October 2002 Spectrum
Auctions and Efficient Resource Allocation: Learning from the 3G
Experience in Europe,
William H. Melody, Telecom Reform (Lirne.net), April 2001
Spectrum
Auctions in India ,
S.
Sinha (Indian Institute of Management), Fall
2000 Spectrum
Limits and Competition in Mobile Markets: The role of licence fees,
H.
Gruber,
June 2000 Collusive
bidding: Lessons from the FCC Spectrum Auctions,
P. Crampton and J. Schwartz, Journal of Regulatory Economics, May
2000
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| Activities |
ITU
Workshop on Licensing of 3G Mobile (Geneva, 19-21 September
2001)
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