To address the growing need for integrated communication systems across public safety platforms, governments in emerging markets need to make sizeable investments in spectrum.
This is according to business manager for Motorola Solutions in the UK, Julian Martins.
Addressing delegates at Motorola Solutions' Critical Communications World Conference in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, Martins noted that for public safety platforms such as fire departments, police and emergency services in emerging markets to enjoy integrated and harmonised communication systems, communication regulators in these regions should overcome the two shortages that limit the spread of wireless connectivity.
"Suitable spectrum and reliable power sources remain an economic growth hindrance for most countries in the emerging markets," explained Martins. "While some Asian countries have taken a half-step towards solving the shortage of spectrum by agreeing to support the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity 700 plan, access to cheap, clean, constant power still remains elusive in the region, as is the case in most African countries."
According to Martins, the assignment of spectrum in most African, South Asia and the Association of South East Asian Nations (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam) lags behind that of competitor nations in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific by some 200MHz.
"Developed markets have already assigned 500-600MHz to mobile, yet most emerging markets sit on 300-400MHz," noted Martins. "Given that mobile traffic in most of these emerging markets is expected to grow exponentially between 2013 and 2017, this is likely to lead to network congestion."
Furthermore, Martins pointed out that developed nations have also been quicker to exploit unlicensed frequencies such as WiFi, and unless regulators in emerging markets respond quickly, we'll see a 'spectrum gap' of 500MHz by 2020.
"This will severely limit emerging markets' competitive position with respect to their developed counterparts," he said.
The rapid release of sub 1GHz frequencies is crucial to achieving wide, cost-effective coverage in emerging markets according to Martins.
When talking about affordable, ubiquitous access to communication in developing countries, Martins holds the view that wireless technologies offer the most hope for effectively bridging the digital divide.
"For affordability reasons, the lower attenuation rates and power consumption for a given throughput make access to sub-1GHz frequencies essential in lower income-based economies, especially as access to fixed broadband remains rare," concluded Martins.
Share