The most affordable access to mobile broadband for citizens would be achieved by complete harmonisation of mobile spectrum, creating a truly global market for single-band devices.

However, in most cases, spectrum bands are agreed on a regional or multi-regional basis, rather than globally. The Digital Dividend exists today over two bands of spectrum: 790–862MHz in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and 698–806MHz in the Americas and Asia. Following on from decisions at WRC-12, countries in Region 1 including the European Union will be able to allocate the 698–790MHz band on a national basis and decisions on how best to use this additional allocation are currently being made by governments and industry throughout the region.

For this reason, the GSMA has developed region-specific guidelines, to give administrations clarity regarding the best approach to allocating the Digital Dividend to mobile