UHF spectrum – closing the digital divide

Mobile coverage varies significantly between urban and rural areas. Major transport corridors are under-served with mobile broadband coverage. But improving coverage can reduce social inequality between urban and rural areas and improve productivity and economic wellbeing.

Low frequency UHF spectrum has a key role to play in helping close the digital divide with 5G connectivity.

UHF spectrum 470-694 MHz is currently allocated to DTT on a primary base, but its use varies immensely throughout ITU Region 1. How it is regulated in the future will have a profound impact on the ability of governments to meet their commitments to delivering ubiquitous access to broadband services and media. Consequently, WRC-23 under Agenda Item 1.5 is studying current usage in the frequency range 470-960 MHz along with possible regulatory options in 470-694 MHz.

GSA has commissioned landmark research from Plum Consulting to explore both the current and future usage of UHF bands – and its potential benefits for the widespread deployment of 5G services.

This GSA Insights Webinar presents the study findings and brings together a panel of telecom regulators from across ITU Region 1 to discuss the key findings of this study, the high degree of diversity in UHF band use and to debate whether there is a requirement for flexible approaches to its future allocation.

What you will learn:

• The use of UHF spectrum by mobile services, including the significant variations between urban and rural areas
• The significant variance in use of UHF by television broadcasting throughout ITU Region 1, and how changing viewing habits and new broadcast technologies are driving a move away from linear broadcasting
• Why flexibility is key – the case for co-primary mobile allocation of UHF spectrum
• The perspectives of regulators from across ITU Region 1 towards the current and future use of UHF

Speakers will include:

• Tim Miller, Plum Consulting
• Jonas Wessel, PTS (moderator)
• Tariq Al Awadhi, TDRA
• Eric Fournier, ANFR
• Ronel le Grange, CRAN
• Sergey Pastukh, NIIR

This event has ended. Please watch the on-demand playback below.