Spectrum Management and Mobile Telephone Service Markets

Abstract

In 2002 global mobile telephony subscription surpassed fixed-line subscription.¹ Within this context, emerging mobile computing and data services are expected to enhance existing services with the blending of wireless, computing and digital information industry innovation. Visions of opportunity arising from new wireless platforms (e.g., meshed networks), intelligent devices (e.g., agile radio) and wireless applications abound (Lightman and Rojas 2002). Accordingly, industry experts predict mobile data communication to generate more than half wireless service market revenue by 2010 (Wireless Data 2000). Additionally, in many countries, including Western Europe, parts of Asia and many developing countries, mobile telephony networks are more widespread than fixed-line service. In these countries, mobile devices rather than personal or laptop computers are likely to be the dominant Internet access devices. Despite wireless platform bandwidth limitations, mobile Internet subscription is growing rapidly. However, substantial variations in mobile Internet activity exist internationally. For instance, 72.3% of mobile subscribers in Japan and 59.1% in Korea access the Internet via mobile telephone, whereas the corresponding use for the US and Western Europe is 7.9% and 6.4%, respectively (ITU 2002: 44). Network operators are currently upgrading network platforms to provide bandwidth necessary to support more advanced multi-media applications. Evolving second generation (2G) mobile service, or 2.5G service, that provide to 171.2 kbps are well suited to deliver mobile data applications, including basic Internet access. Some network operators are offering third generation service (3G)—designed to provide 384 kbps in fully mobile mode and to 2 Mbps in stationary mode—sufficient to allow video streaming and multimedia applications. Wireless local area networks, e.g., WiFi or Hiperlan, typically operate in unlicensed spectrum bands, provide to 54 Mbps and are deployed for local connectivity. Platforms such as Bluetooth provide very short range personal area networks. While such technology requires further testing and experimentation, and their compatibility and interoperability pose challenges, they promise to radically transform communication markets.