TKK to hold consultation on GSM spectrum for 3G services (Austria)
Austria’s telecoms regulator, TKK is set to hold a consultation on future radio spectrum management plans – specifically the use of GSM spectrum for 3G services, the future of 800 MHz spectrum to be released by the Digital Dividend.
The consultation is a result of the recent Austrian Frequency Utilization Plan, which devolved the tasks and decisions to the regulator.
The new legislation transposes the amended GSM Directive into Austrian law and thus, creates the conditions necessary to utilize GSM frequencies for broadband technologies.
At the same time, the assignment of the digital dividend (800 MHz band) is also planned in the near future. As these decisions are closely interrelated, the regulatory authority considers it important to coordinate these procedures with each other.Interested parties are invited to submit comments and opinions by March 18, 2011.
The consultation document can be found on the RTR web site at http://www.rtr.at/en/komp/Konsult_DD_Refarming
Arcep expands 3G in GSM Spectrum (France)
The French telecoms regulator, ARCEP has published preliminary plans to allow the French overseas departments and territories to reuse their GSM radio spectrum for 3G services. The affected countries are Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana and Reunion.
ARCEP has received seven responses to a public consultation on the proposals which it held last year and have helped to confirm the soundness of the suggested scheme to govern reuse of the 900 MHz band for UMTS.
The Authority has established guidelines that define the framework for processing requests for frequency licences, as well as requests for changes to existing licences coming from mobile operators in the overseas markets.
This framework includes the ability to use the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2.1 GHz bands for UMTS, along with specific terms applying to their reuse that have been tailored to the particular situation in each department or collectivity.
On the matter of assigning new frequency bands to mobile and ultra high-speed mobile services in the overseas territories, work on the issue could begin in 2012 depending on the requests made by stakeholders. The terms set for allocating the 800 MHz band will take into consideration the state of competition in the overseas departments and territories.
Ofcom to allow reuse of GSM spectrum for 3G services (UK)
Ofcom, UK telecoms regulator, has formally authorized the use of GSM radio spectrum for 3G services. UK was required to liberalize 2G spectrum for 3G use by two pieces of European legislation (the amended GSM Directive and associated Radio Spectrum Decision).
The UK Government directed Ofcom to vary the existing licences to achieve this liberalization on 20 December 2010. This Direction came into force on 30 December 2010.
Ofcom recently provided advice to Government on the likely consumer and competition effects of liberalizing the 2G spectrum.
According to the assessment, allowing operators to use their 2G spectrum to carry 3G mobile services is likely to benefit consumers and is unlikely to result in a material distortion of competition that requires further action to be taken.
DoT’s proposals may facilitate dual tech players(India)
DoT has proposed a policy that supports Dual Tech operators which will considerably expand Reliance Communications and Tata Teleservices operations.
According to the legal advisor, DoT, the GSM licensees who have received the initial start-up spectrum of 4.4 Mhz and meet the eligibility conditions for grant of additional spectrum up to 6.2 Mhz may be given top priority, as this is the assured quantum of spectrum as per the License Agreement and also their vested right.
RCom in particular is likely to gain enormously as it meets the subscriber base criteria in prime locations. It is expected to bag additional GSM spectrum in such circles.
TRAI in the recent times had recommended that operators with 6.2 MHz of spectrum should be considered first for allocation of additional spectrum, as they have already made an investment to roll-out their networks.
VSNL appeals against FLAG gateway ruling
MUMBAI, SEPTEMBER 9: Indian telecoms service provider Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (VSNL) said on Friday it had appealed a ruling that Reliance Communication Ventures Ltd. could use its international communications gateway in Mumbai.VSNL, owned by the Tata group, on Thursday filed a writ petition in the Netherlands against a May 26 ruling of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Arbitration Tribunal in favour of Reliance Communication’s global bandwidth unit, FLAG Telecom.
“VSNL was, and remains, disappointed that the tribunal decided to reject what VSNL had understood to be the effect of the C&MA (construction and maintenance agreement),” a statement from VSNL said.
FLAG Telecom had petitioned the ICC in December 2004 seeking access to VSNL’s landing stations. VSNL said it would continue to comply with the terms of the award, until it may be set aside.
Shares in VSNL rose nearly 1 per cent to 424.70 rupees in a slightly firm Mumbai market, while shares in Reliance Communication were up 3.5 per cent at 312 rupees.
Reliance Communication,
India
‘s top CDMA-based mobile services provider, said on Friday it has sought the rival GSM spectrum from the government for future expansion
Source- http://www.financialexpress.com
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