The GSMA has engaged in a series of events in recent months to highlight the vital need for governments to agree new mobile spectrum allocations at the World Radiocommunication Conference in November (WRC-15).
In December, the GSMA presented at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) WRC-15 preparatory meeting in Riyadh. The presentation focused on the extent of mobile data traffic growth in the region and new mobile bands which could be used to meet this data demand. The GSMA also held a workshop for operators to discuss the need for more spectrum at WRC-15 and how they can get more involved with the governments in their respective countries.
The GSMA also participated in the Arab Spectrum Management Group (ASMG) WRC-15 preparatory meeting in February in Qatar. The event is likely to the penultimate ASMG meeting ahead of WRC-15 so the GSMA was heavily involved in encouraging agreement around the candidate mobile bands. A presentation was also given highlighting how mobile data usage in the region is already significantly higher than some claim.
Immediately prior to the ASMG event, a number of mobile operator members of the GSMA authored a letter to the ASMG Chairman highlighting the need to reach agreement around new mobile bands. During the event, the GSMA and the SAMENA (South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African) Council also issued a public call for Arab States governments to secure their mobile broadband futures by supporting more mobile spectrum at WRC-15.