3G Extension Band

Introduction
In order to continue realising these benefits and to accommodate future growth, an issue of
importance to all mobile operators is that of secure and predictable access to spectrum. The
objective of the GSM Association, representing over 650 mobile operators in more than 210
countries and territories, is to guarantee the use of 2.5GHz as an extension band for 3GSM and
to ensure its global availability.
Governments and Regulators are under increasing pressure to liberalise the allocation of
wireless service licences and allocate spectrum, previously identified with a particular type of
service, to new services that are being introduced on a fragmented basis. If followed without
international coordination, such policies will destroy the major benefits of global mobile
interoperability, including roaming and scale economies. In particular, Regulators may
permit the 3G extension bands to be used in a manner inconsistent with a harmonised and
structured band plan.
GSMA Policy Positions
Mobile services have transformed economies in every part of the world,
with global penetration of mobile subscribers now exceeding that of fixed
lines in most regions. The contribution of the mobile industry to national
GDP, employment and government revenue is substantial in the vast
majority of countries around the globe.
3G WCDMA is a proven standard with over 20 million users across 70 networks in 32 countries.
Governments should, in parallel with operators, invest in the long-term future of 3GSM
networks and ensure that capacity for growth is secured, via the allocated 2500-2690 MHz
"3G Extension Band."
To achieve their full potential, 3GSM networks will need spectrum, in addition to the ITU "Core
Band", in order to provide capacity for:
Increasing numbers of subscribers
Ongoing development of new 3GSM broadband applications
Delivering ubiquitous mobile broadband
This is the same situation as was experienced in the successful growth of 2G networks
To maximize the value to all parties, the GSMA believes that governments should follow the
harmonized and structured channeling arrangements, for the band 2500-2690 MHz,
recommended by the ITU.
The ITU has recommended three options for the 3G extension bands (see illustration below).
The first two options provide structured channeling arrangements. They provide separation of
FDD and TDD blocks and have the advantage of enabling 3GSM to be deployed with minimum
risk of interference. The GSMA supports these first two options.
Structuring the band in this way, within individual countries and/or regions, will encourage
investment in networks and services, through minimizing the risks and costs associated with
interference management.
Harmonising the band plan globally will increase still further the investment incentives and
ensure that economies of scale are maximized.
A harmonized and structured band plan will facilitate seamless roaming and network
interoperability, at a global level.
GSMA Policy Positions continued

The GSMA believes that the adoption of the ITU’s third option and, therefore, the co-existence
of FDD and TDD, across the same band, would have a significant, negative impact on the
efficiency of that band's use. In turn, this would have a negative impact on the future benefits
to consumers from 3GSM mobile broadband.
The co-existence of FDD and TDD, across the band, would permit technologies to be deployed
within the band that could create interference.
Within individual countries, an unstructured band plan would reduce incentives to invest and
increase industry costs.
More broadly, a lack of global commitment to a harmonized and structured band plan would
reduce economies of scale, for both operators and manufacturers. It would increase costs and
result in slower times to market for innovative mobile data services.
In Europe, the ECC has reached the conclusion that the first two options are the most
appropriate. The GSMA supports this conclusion.
The GSMA believes that a harmonized and structured band plan will bring benefits to
consumers, governments and industry, in the form of faster times to market for innovative
services and lower prices due to scale economies. A harmonized plan will also facilitate
seamless roaming and network interoperability, at a global level, and extend the significant
benefits of global 2G roaming to 3G.
The GSMA believes that interference from satellite services could severely affect 3GSM systems
and, in some areas of the world, satellite services are already interfering with the 3G extension
band. It is possible for satellites of one country to interfere with the spectrum of many
neighbouring nations, due to the size of their footprints.
The GSMA recommends that governments introduce policies that only allow satellite systems to
operate, provided they do not cause harmful interference to 3G in the 2.5 to 2.69 GHz band. In
this regard, the GSMA supports the ITU's WRC-07 agenda item 1.9, aimed at reducing the
power of satellite systems in the 3GSM band.
For further information, please contact:
Tom Phillips
Government and Regulatory Affairs Officer, GSM Association
Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 046595
Email: tphillips@gsm.org
GSMA Policy Positions continued