900MHz refarming: a growing trend UMT S n e t w o r k c a n b e constructed in the GSM900 frequency band at a lower cost with better coverage

than a UMTS2100 network. According to radio wave propagation features, radio signals are transmitted farther at a lower carrier frequency and allow one site to cover a wider area. Th is makes the UMTS900 an excellent wide coverage solution. Therefore, investment for mobile networks goes down as wider coverage per site means fewer sites. Second, the UMTS900 network is better for indoor coverage and has better network coverage performance. Lowfrequency carrier signals suffer less loss when penetrating building walls. Thus, with a UMTS900 network quality of service (QoS) is improved and better user experience enabled. When constructing a UMTS900 network, operators can protect their investment in the original GSM network by reusing infrastructures like the antenna and site. However, due to limited spectrum resources on the GSM900 band, most operators cannot provide a complete 5MHz frequency band to build the UMTS network. In addition, the existing GSM900 network has accumulated a large subscriber base and is an important source of profits for operators. This is why the GSM/UMTS 900MHz refarming solution was proposed in the hope of constructing low-cost UMTS900 networks with wide coverage and implementing joint networking between UMTS and GSM networks while ensuring the continuous capacity expansion and QoS of the GSM network. Due to the advantages of a UMTS900 network, increasingly more countries have begun to formulate policies regulating the deployment of 3G networks on the 900MHz band. The EU passed a new resolution on July 27, 2009, approving refarming the 900MHz band and requested that its member countries enforce the bill within six months to drive the development of the 3G mobile communications industry. 900MHz ope r a tor s c an ut i l i z e the frequency for any technology, at their own discretion, without license restrictions.