Switzerland frees-up 900MHz spectrum for 3G

Switzerland's Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) has overhauled its spectrum allocation rules to allow the country's mobile operators to use 900MHz spectrum for 3G use. Under the new changes, the regulator will allow spectrum - which was previously reserved for GSM use - to be used on a technology-neutral basis, allowing it to be used for 3G. The change has required reallocation of the existing spectrum held by three of the country's mobile operators. Orange Switzerland, which is deemed to own too little 900MHz spectrum, will receive additional 900MHz frequencies from rivals Sunrise and Swisscom. In return, Orange must give up 1800MHz spectrum to its two rivals. The 900MHz frequencies are seen as valuable to operators as they allow larger radio cells and offer greater in-building coverage.
ComCom also announced that it has renewed the existing GSM licenses held by Orange, Sunrise and Swisscom until the end of 2013.This means that all four of the country's GSM licenses (Swisscom, Sunrise, Orange and In&Phone) will now expire at the same time. The move is designed to help the regulator with a current review of all the mobile spectrum that will become free in 2013 or 2016. The review also includes proposals to release the so-called 'digital dividend' spectrum (790MHz to 862MHz) for use by the country's mobile operators from 2015 at the latest.