CCK petitioned to free up more spectrum for mobile broadband

By Macharia Kamau Mobile operators in the region want telecommunication regulators to speed up the process of migrating broadcasters to a digital broadcasting platform and in turn free up spectrum resources for other uses.Under their lobby, the GSM Association, the operators argue that allocating mobile broadband, which Stakeholders want CCK to release additional spectrum to encourage growth in mobile penetration. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]is basically high speed Internet on mobile phones, would significantly increase penetration of Internet in Africa, which will in turn spur further growth in different sectors.Internet access using mobile phones and other devices has become an area of focus for local operators, following decline in revenues from voice services that have been the main income source for mobile operators. Peter Lyons, Spectrum Policy Director for Africa and Middle East at GSMA reckons that countries in Sub Saharan Africa had allocated little of their spectrum resources for mobile broadband and that growth in usage of Internet on mobile phones resulting to demand outstriping allocated spectrum. Spectrum is a platform used for wireless transmission of signals. It is currently a scarce resource and in Kenya, many investors, especially in the broadcasting industry are queuing in wait for its availability. "African countries have significantly less spectrum allocated for mobile broad when compared to other markets," he said in an interview."Much of the spectrum is consumed by analogue television and the argument is that broadcasters should go digital to free up spectrum, which can then be repurposed for broadband."Lyons says that Africa is the fastest growing market in terms of mobile connections and with the current situation where the continent might get to a point of saturation.Cost of mobileHe added that increasing spectrum resources allocated to telecos will lower the cost of mobile devices, improve speed of data communication, and ultimately help nearly 40 million subscribers across Africa escape poverty.Forecasts by GSMA project the number of mobile broadband subscribers in Kenya to reach 12.7 million by 2020 if Communication Commission of Kenya releases additional spectrum for use in mobile Internet. "By contrast, if no additional spectrum is made available, the number will only be 6.3 million," said LyonsCurrently, just about three million subscribers have access to fast Internet on their cell phones."There is need to urgently release harmonised spectrum for mobile broadband. This will expand the reach and availability of affordable broadband services and help realise significant economic and human development gains for sub-Saharan Africa," said Lyons.Shiletsi Makhofane, Head of Marketing, Strategy and Regulatory Affairs for Ericsson in sub-Saharan Africa said a new regulatory approach to issuance of spectrum where mobile service providers have more resources availed to them would be key in establishing a networked society in Africa. "A harmonized spectrum is a key factor in promoting the development of mass mobile broadband access, and a tool for the industry to successfully respond to national policy goals by providing standardised products and services," he said.Currently, just 80MHz of spectrum is available for delivering mobile broadband service in a typical African market. In contrast, mobile operators in developed markets access up to 400MHz of spectrum for delivering Mobile Broadband.According to the GSMA, availing 2.6 GHz spectrum in 2015 in sub-Saharan Africa could increase the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) per capita to 2.7 percentage by 2020 and 5.2 percentage by 2025, while tax revenues can grow by $18 billion every year. The move can also see creation of 27 million additional jobs in Sub Saharan Africa.&#12288;

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