SPECTRUM CLASH

摘要

The mobile sector is constantly repeating its mantra that more spectrum is needed for mobile networks to cope with future traffic growth. A glance at different markets around the world tells that there seems to be huge gap between this claim and reality. Apparently, mobile network operators are able to cope with data traffic demands and still make good profit with the spectrum they already have. Furthermore, there is a lot of spectrum which has been allocated to mobile services but has not been licensed yet, leaving it unused.17 Therefore, the question arises why the mobile industry is pushing so hard to get hold of even more spectrum all over the world. There may be many different explanations, but with regards to the spectrum bands broadcasting is using for terrestrial delivery of its services, some special issues seem to be important. A general observation is that mobile operators seem to have realised in recent years that providing connectivity alone is no longer a futureproof business model. Hence, they arc pushing into the market of offering audiovisual services, becoming service providers themselves.