Spectrum will drive 4G long-term evolution

THE GSMA formally recognised that Long-Term Evolution (LTE) will provide next generation technology for those currently running GSM networks.

It's a very predictable move but raises questions as to how soon we'll actually see 4G networks based on LTE actually becoming a reality.

The recent decision by the World Radiocommunications Conference to allocate a chunk of spectrum to ádvanced mobile broadband services´is helping to push LTE forward.

The million question is what will kick it into life? CDG chair, Perry LaForge, predicted that it will be the forthcoming 700MHz spectrum auctions that will provide the impetus.

Just as the sale of 3G licences caused European operators to push ahead with their W-CDMA networks, the money spent on US licences will focus the attention of US operators.

LaForge thinks that we might see LTE come into existence as early as 2010 but - given the cellular industry´s track record - 2012 is more likely.

Significantly, LaForge didn´t see any problem with cdmaOne operators acquiring handsets that merged CDMA and LTE.

He claims the industry is already working towards interoperability between CDMA and LTE plus CDMA and Wimax or UMB.

Europe is still keen on putting 4G into a spectrum band around 2100MHz rather than 700MHz, so the chances of 4G uniting the whole cellular industry are very slim. µ