The impact of harmonised mobile spectrum on Asia
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Telenor, Ericsson and the GSM Association sponsor study on the "Socio-economic impact of allocating 700 MHz to mobile in Asia Pacific". Results released today.
GMSA today released a new study (conducted by Boston Consulting Group) that reveals the socio-economic impact of allocating the 700 MHz band to mobile in the Asia Pacific region. Financed in part by Telenor Group, GSMA and Ericsson, the research shows that millions more people would have access to low-cost Internet services, especially in rural areas, if this spectrum is harmonised and allocated to mobile broadband rather than broadcast.
According to the study, benefits of 700 MHz for mobile means a $729 billion increase in GDP for Asia Pacific by 2020, plus more than two million new jobs in the region.
“Telenor acknowledges the prospects that access to spectrum below 1 GHz means to the future development and deployment of mobile communications services in Asia,” said Hilde Tonne, Senior Vice President and Deputy Head of the Telenor Asia Operations. “By allocating the 700 MHz band to mobile, governments have the potential to unleash mobile Internet, particularly in rural areas as well as improved coverage in urban areas.”
From a Telenor perspective, the 700 MHz band means that mobile operators can cost-efficiently provide sustainable and affordable mobile Internet services, which is critical to connecting the rural populations and emerging economies.
“Widespread access to high-speed mobile Internet is undoubtedly one of the most powerful forces shaping our world today. This is particularly true for emerging economies, where access to mobile Internet has the potential to fundamentally change how people live, work and develop,” said Tonne.