Deploying UMTS in the 900 MHz Band

Providing Coverage Enhancements for 3G Services

National and regional regulators and standards bodies have started modifying mobile phone service legislation to allow the roll-out of WCDMA access in the 900 MHz band. Why is this critical? WCDMA deployments have achieved reasonable coverage in most markets but the economics need to be addressed. Competition and lower than expected returns on investment are decelerating the rate of additional coverage. This Research Brief investigates: • Benefits and challenges of UMTS 900 MHz refarming • Engineering and site deployment • Load balancing between 900 MHz and 2100 MHz • Making the most of spectrum allocations • Challenges of cell-site equipment sharing • Global UMTS/GSM-900 refarming initiatives

Table of Contents


Section 1.
FACING THE SQUEEZE

Section 2.
BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES

Section 3.
ENGINEERING AND SITE DEPLOYMENT ISSUES

Section 4.
LOAD BALANCING

Section 5.
MAKING THE MOST OF SPECTRUM

Section 6.
CELL-SITE EQUIPMENT SHARING

Section 7.
GLOBAL UMTS/GSM-900 REFARMING INITIATIVES
7.1. Europe
7.2. Asia-Pacific
7.3. Americas

Section 8.
CONCLUSION



Figures
  • Sandwich Spectrum Strategy
  • Sandwich Spectrum Strategy