The mobile telecommunications industry is ready to invest in advanced mobile broadband technologies, however, it needs a clear timetable for clearance, auction and restacking of Ultra High Frequency (UHF) spectrum in the 694-820 MHz range, AMTA said in its submission to the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy’s Digital Dividend Green Paper.

AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, said the industry strongly supports the Government’s target digital dividend of 126 MHz of contiguous spectrum in the 694-820MHz range.

“We contend that the maximum value of the digital dividend will be achieved when the full 126 MHz is used to deliver mobile telephony and broadband services in Australia,” he said.

“Australia’s mobile operators’ current spectrum holdings will provide adequate capacity to meet demand in the short term. However, to ensure future consumer demand for new mobile broadband services can be met in an efficient and affordable manner, the retention of existing spectrum holdings and access to spectrum in the UHF band, together with access to new spectrum in the 2.5GHz band, is critical.”

Click here to view AMTA’s submission.

The Digital Dividend describes the radiofrequency freed-up as a result of the switchover from analog to digital television transmission.

In January this year, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, released the Government’s Green Paper on the Digital Dividend. It sought comment and the consultation period closed on March 5, 2010.

The submissions will help inform the Government’s decision on the final size and location of Australia’s digital dividend.

In this edition of Snapshot read related stories on spectrum that include:

• Newspaper reaction to the Government’s release of submissions to the Green Paper consultation process. 
  
   
• Ericsson says mobile data surpassed voice on a global basis during December of 2009, which was a “historic milestone for the mobile industry”.
  
   
• The United States’ Federal Communications Commission's new National Broadband Plan aims to free 500 MHz of airwave spectrum over 10 years for wireless carriers with much of that capacity likely would come from television broadcasters.

Sprint Nextel Chief Executive Dan Hesse said that in about two years, monthly cellphone bills will focus on the amount of data used and move away from the number of available voice minutes.