MWC: EU offers €50m to kickstart 5G network investment

bealtine

http://www.techcentral.ie/20996/mwc-eu-offers-50m-to-kickstart-5g-network-investment

TechTrade | 26 Feb 2013 : Although 17 of the 27 European Union member states still have no 4G mobile network, the EU is pushing for the continent to take a lead on the development of fifth-generation technologies.
The EU has promised to invest €50 million in research in 2013 to develop the architecture and functionality needs for 5G, EU Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes announced today. The money will be spread between a number of projects, with the METIS (Mobile and wireless communications Enablers for the Twenty-twenty Information Society) project alone receiving €16 million.


The effort is needed because the EU is "shooting itself in the foot" when it comes to the mobile industry, Kroes told ministers and industry CEOs in a closed session at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, according to a transcript of her speech.

Allocation of wireless frequencies in the EU is still a mess, according to Kroes. "The EU spectrum allocation maps look like a bowl of spaghetti," she said.

Kroes puts the blame for that on national authorities, saying that some EU countries see auctions as merely revenue-raising, rather than for the public interest through network investment.

She was also scathing about member states holding back frequency allocation.

"We want 1200Mhz of spectrum for wireless broadband. We've already allocated 1000, but most EU countries have only made 650 or less available. That is a huge waste, it's inexcusable," said Kroes.

The EU defines the applications to which particular frequency bands may be put, leaving it to national regulators to determine who receives the licenses to provide the services in their territory.

The European Commission says there is a €27 billion investment gap between the current mobile networks and the mobile networks Europe needs.

Part of that investment needs to be in researching the next generation of wireless technology, which the EU is offering to help kickstart. But Kroes wants the industry to play a role too, warning CEOs that global competitors are already investing heavily in 5G. She asked the heads of EU industry to join in a public-private partnership "to help us reach our common goal more coherently."

Kroes admitted that while many member states support broadband targets and are committed to a digital single market, when it comes down to details, their instinct is often to resist, to maintain the status quo and to protect vested interests in both public and private sectors.

IDG News Service

Cheerful Spring

bealtine wrote: »

http://www.techcentral.ie/20996/mwc-eu-offers-50m-to-kickstart-5g-network-investment

TechTrade | 26 Feb 2013 : Although 17 of the 27 European Union member states still have no 4G mobile network, the EU is pushing for the continent to take a lead on the development of fifth-generation technologies.
The EU has promised to invest €50 million in research in 2013 to develop the architecture and functionality needs for 5G, EU Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes announced today. The money will be spread between a number of projects, with the METIS (Mobile and wireless communications Enablers for the Twenty-twenty Information Society) project alone receiving €16 million.


The effort is needed because the EU is "shooting itself in the foot" when it comes to the mobile industry, Kroes told ministers and industry CEOs in a closed session at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, according to a transcript of her speech.

Allocation of wireless frequencies in the EU is still a mess, according to Kroes. "The EU spectrum allocation maps look like a bowl of spaghetti," she said.



She was also scathing about member states holding back frequency allocation.

"We want 1200Mhz of spectrum for wireless broadband. We've already allocated 1000, but most EU countries have only made 650 or less available. That is a huge waste, it's inexcusable," said Kroes.

The EU defines the applications to which particular frequency bands may be put, leaving it to national regulators to determine who receives the licenses to provide the services in their territory.

The European Commission says there is a €27 billion investment gap between the current mobile networks and the mobile networks Europe needs.

Part of that investment needs to be in researching the next generation of wireless technology, which the EU is offering to help kickstart. But Kroes wants the industry to play a role too, warning CEOs that global competitors are already investing heavily in 5G. She asked the heads of EU industry to join in a public-private partnership "to help us reach our common goal more coherently."

Kroes admitted that while many member states support broadband targets and are committed to a digital single market, when it comes down to details, their instinct is often to resist, to maintain the status quo and to protect vested interests in both public and private sectors.

IDG News Service

Kroes puts the blame for that on national authorities, saying that some EU countries see auctions as merely revenue-raising, rather than for the public interest through network investment.


Kroes admitted that while many member states support broadband targets and are committed to a digital single market, when it comes down to details, their instinct is often to resist, to maintain the status quo and to protect vested interests in both public and private sectors.

What she said is happening here, it seems to me!

The 4G spectrum auctions had been in the works since 2010 and finally concluded Nov 2012.

Pat Rabbitte got a big pay day estimated 800 million. Five months have passed since then and not a 'word' from Rabbitte were this money will be invested if at all.

What were his broadband targets again

the rural electrification of the 21st century"

He said 70-100Mbps should be available to at least 50 per cent of the population.

At least 40Mbps should be available to at least a further 20 per cent of the population and a minimum of 30Mbps available to all. bY 2015

We are now heading into March 2013 so hes got a year and 9 months left to change broadband. To me this looks another lie from government to gain attention and popularity.

clohamon

Cheerful Spring wrote: »

hes got a year and 9 months left to change broadband.

You mean he's got a year and 9 months left to get himself re-shuffled to another ministry.

watty

"3G", 4G and "5G" are irrelevant to Broadband. Even 3G with 1 to 3 users is close to Shannon Limit. 5G will be about more seemless roving to WiFi and perhaps channel bonding between masts/bands to utilise unused spectrum better when a system is lightly loaded (already possible on enhancements to 3G). For a system running at capacity 5G offers nothing over 4G.