The ITU this week globally harmonised the 700-MHz band by allocating it for LTE use in ITU Region 1, which covers Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.
The decision was taken during this year’s World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15), and follows similar action taken at WRC-07, which saw 700-MHz spectrum adopted by ITU regions two and thre e, which cover the Americas and Asia-Pacific.
Europe hasn’t exactly waited for the ITU’s blessing when it comes to adopting the 700-MHz band for LTE.
Last week, France announced the conclusion of its 700-MHz auction, raising €2.8 billion from the process.
In June, Germany became the first European market to sell off 700-MHz spectrum, as part of an auction that also included 900-MHz, 1500-MHz and 1800-MHz frequencies and raised €5.1 billion in total.
Nevertheless, "the WRC-15 decision represents a landmark in the development of broadband mobile on a worldwide scale, regardless of location, network or terminal used," said ITU secretary-general Houlin Zhao, in a statement on Monday.
Spectrum in the 700 MHz band is well suited to providing mobile broadband coverage indoors and over large areas.
Its global harmonisation "paves the way for manufacturers and mobile operators to offer mobile broadband at an affordable price in currently underserved areas," said François Rancy, director of the ITU’s radiocommunication bureau.
The ITU said its decision provides full protection to TV broadcasters and aeronautical navigation services that also use the 700 MHz band.
