ITU assigns frequency band for mobile broadband

The ITU World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) underway in Geneva has allocated frequency band for mobile broadband across the world to extend affordable service to underserved communities.

WRC-15 holding at the International Convention Centre Geneva (CICG) took the key decision that will provide enhanced capacity for mobile broadband in the 694-790 MHz frequency band in ITU Region-1 covering Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. The frequency assignment will also provide a globally harmonized solution for the implementation of the digital dividend, according to the UN specialised agency for ICTs.

According to ITU, The decision allocates this band to the mobile service and identifies it for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in ITU Region-1, similarly to what was decided by the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2007 (WRC-07) for ITU Region-2 (Americas) and Region-3 (Asia-Pacific).

The provisions adopted by WRC-15 provide full protection to television broadcasting, as well as to the aeronautical radionavigation systems operating in this frequency band, specifically in countries of the Regional Commonwealth in the field of Communications (RCC).

“The WRC-15 decision represents a landmark in the development of broadband mobile on a worldwide scale, regardless of location, network or terminal used,” ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao says. “It goes a long way in enabling bridging of the digital divide, while fully protecting the other services currently operated in the band.”

François Rancy, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau explains that, “the global harmonization of the 694-790 MHz frequency band that has been decided by WRC-15 paves the way for manufacturers and mobile operators to offer mobile broadband at an affordable price in currently underserved areas.”