The Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) is paving the way for even faster, mobile Internet and is re-tendering mobile radio frequencies for this purpose. In an auction, existing and new mobile operators will have the opportunity to purchase frequency packages required for long-term network operation. In addition to existing frequency bands for 2G (GSM, EDGE) and 3G (UMTS), frequencies for new 4G technologies such as WiMAX or LTE are also being auctioned off. These transmission technologies make it possible to launch even faster data services in the mobile network.
Mobile operators Swisscom, Orange and Sunrise were looking for content for a long time in order to finally utilize their digital networks. Now the mobile Internet has finally taken off and the networks are reaching their limits more and more. Subscribers to flat data rates are often faced with the fact that, above a certain volume of data, the bandwidth for their mobile device suddenly decreases. Apps that require large volumes of data work more slowly, videos or TV programs received on the mobile device no longer run smoothly.
With the new fourth-generation mobile technologies, bandwidths are increasing from today's 0.5 Mbps to 100 or even 300 Mbps. This, and with the continued development of technologies that can transmit more and more data at limited bandwidths, “data-hungry” applications such as mobile television are easily possible. Before mobile operators can bring the new services to mobile devices, they must take part in an auction for the frequencies.
To this end, the Communications Commission (ComCom) has commissioned the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) to publicly tender free mobile radio frequencies that will be released in the foreseeable future. The new tender is intended to make optimal use of the frequency spectrum of the future and also give new providers the opportunity to become active in the Swiss mobile communications market. In addition, the current licenses for GSM and UMTS expire at the end of 2013 and the end of 2016, respectively.
note
In a white paper, Swisscom presented the various mobile technologies and their history in a way that is understandable even for laymen. Link to the white paper as a PDF.
sources
ComCom press release over here