Europe approves 900 MHz UMTS

The decision by the European Parliament to accept the amendment of the GSM Directive to allow UMTS (WCDMA-HSPA) technology to be used in the 900 MHz band has been welcomed by the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA).

Mobile broadband services enabled by WCDMA-HSPA technology are deployed throughout the world and are a success. There are 120 live HSPA commercial systems in the European Union alone, and 259 systems launched in 111 countries worldwide, according to GSA’s latest research.

Deploying HSPA mobile broadband systems in the 900 MHz band (UMTS900) brings efficiencies and lower costs for network operators because lower frequencies travel further and penetrate buildings more easily than the higher frequencies (2100 MHz) that most 3G systems currently use.

As a result, 900 MHz is a suitable band for extending the benefits of broadband connectivity to rural and semi-urban areas.

According to GSA, eight UMTS900-HSPA systems are now in commercial service in Europe, Latin America and the Asia–Pacific region.

GSA has announced that 115 HSPA/mobile broadband devices capable of operating at 900 MHz (as well as 2100 MHz) are already in operation and this frequency combination is becoming commonplace for products destined for European and APAC markets.