European Commission proposals to change the way in which radio spectrum is allocated could affect the future progress and availability of advanced mobile phone services, such as video downloads, high-speed Internet access and mobile TV, according to the GSM Association (GSMA). The European Commission is proposing to establish the principle that specific spectrum bands shouldn't be tied to any one technology. The GSMA is concerned that this will lead to fragmentation, where the same spectrum is used for many different technologies and different services across Europe. Such an outcome would make it difficult for manufacturers to sell the same equipment worldwide and realise the economies of scale that have dramatically reduced the cost of GSM handsets and network infrastructure. The GSMA is particularly concerned about the fate of the 3G extension bands (2.5 - 2.690 GHz), which it believes must be reserved for the IMT2000 family of technologies. The GSMA fears that the long-term socio-economic benefits of third-generation (3G) mobile services are at risk without the kind of regulatory harmonisation which supported GSM in its infancy and which is needed now to protect 3G extension bands.  The fast pace of change means that advanced technologies such as mobile TV and HSDPA are already being deployed, but the GSMA believes they will require the extension bands in order to realise their full potential. The GSMA also fears that developing nations will be the hardest hit by the fragmentation of spectrum usage, as people in these countries are the most price-sensitive, especially for handsets.
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