Spectrum Harmonisation

Source : GSM world

Introduction
An important contributor to GSM’s unrivalled success is the global harmonisation of
standards and spectrum bands, resulting in unparalleled co-operation and support between all
those supplying, operating and using the technology. This has enabled manufacturers and networks
to realise significant economies of scale and to offer seamless global roaming
services, to the benefit of consumers worldwide. Harmonisation must be preserved to enable
the global mobile industry to continue delivering the benefits that mobile users have come to
expect and that are valued so highly. The continued economic success of mobile services creates
the climate for future investment in 3GSM technologies, which will deliver still greater
benefits to consumers.
The GSM Association, consisting of over 650 mobile operators and more than 150
manufacturers and suppliers, supports harmonised, open standards and globally coordinated
spectrum bands, in a world of competition among standards.
Today's GSM platform is a uniquely successful wireless technology and
an unprecedented story of global achievement. In less than ten years since
the first GSM network was commercially launched, it has become the
world's leading and fastest growing mobile standard, spanning over 200
countries. Today, GSM technology is used by more than one in six of the
world's population and it is estimated that there are well over 1.25 billion
GSM subscribers today. Beyond GSM, WCDMA and its 3G evolutionary
path (3GSM*) is already in use by more than 70 live networks with over
20 million subscribers in 32 countries and provides a clear evolutionary
path towards full ubiquitous mobile broadband use.
* 3GSM is the collective term for 3G WCDMA technology evolution that includes 3G WCDMA,
‘evolved 3G’ and ‘super 3G.’

The GSMA believes that the harmonisation of standards and frequency bands brings benefits to
consumers and has been a significant factor in the success of the mobile industry. In particular:
Global spectrum planning, led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is
of crucial importance and is the best way to secure the cooperation of national
governments and industry in developing harmonised frequency bands.
Industry has proven to be the most effective party for delivering standards
harmonisation.
The GSMA actively supports industry-led standards development bodies such as
3GPP.
The GSMA believes that a level regulatory playing field for licensees who chose the GSM
and/or 3GSM* family of standards, vis a vis licensees that chose other technologies, is
essential in creating a predictable and stable environment that maximises long-term investments
and benefits to consumers. In particular:
The GSMA opposes policies that, in the name of "technology neutrality", discriminate
against GSM and 3GSM*.
Governments and Regulators should be aware of the variety of ways in which
technology bias can be introduced, for example in specifying minimum data rates or
allocating frequencies in amounts of bandwidth and channel definitions that exclude
certain technologies.
The GSMA calls upon Regulators to examine closely their policies regarding technology
neutrality and ensure that opportunities for bias are eliminated and harmonisation
achieved.
GSMA Policy Positions