Interview: Senior Director Global Spectrum Policy, GSMA: “The white space approach cannot replace the urgent need to secure additional harmonised spectrum for mobile broadband.”

Wladimir Bocquet, Senior Director Global Spectrum Policy, GSMA
Wladimir Bocquet, Senior Director Global Spectrum Policy, GSMA is taking part in a panel discussion entitled: “Highlighting the availability and assignment of 2014’s spectrum bands”, taking place on Day One of the LTE World Summit, the premier 4G event for the telecoms industry, taking place on the 23rd-26th June 2014, at the Amsterdam RAI, Netherlands. Ahead of the event we find out more about the GSMA’s work in making the best use of spectrum and free up new resources to improve mobile broadband throughout the world.
What role do you play at the GSMA in ensuring that there is greater spectrum harmonisation?
We encourage national administrations around the world to license commonly-used, harmonised mobile spectrum in order to establish a wide range of affordable mobile devices and equipment that can be used worldwide. Not only does this broaden access to mobile broadband services by reducing the cost of equipment, it also reduces international interference and facilitates roaming. We also work with the international regulatory community to establish vital new mobile bands to meet future data demand – again, with a view to establishing harmonised spectrum worldwide. The industry is currently in the middle of this hugely important task which will conclude at the ITU’s World Radiocommunication Conference next year.