This is highly likely to be due to the U.K.'s observation of goings-on in the United States where the 'spectrum crunch' phenomenon threatens to rear its ugly head. But why has this looming spectrum doom got everyone so panicked here at home, and those in the United Kingdom preparing?
What's Spooky About a Spectrum Shortage
The worst-case scenario with the spectrum shortage is that there will not be enough to meet the demand of the billions of mobile device users in the country. The more load that is put on existing spectrum, the more intermittent the connection will be on devices like smart phones and tablets.On the provider side, less reliability with connections may likely result in many wireless contracts being reduced in cost or abandoned entirely due to the perceived value of the service decreasing among customers. In addition to losing revenue, mobile companies may be forced to spend the necessary funds to have new cell towers erected, prompting customers to stay. And all of this could occur as soon as 2013.
Control and Innovation
At the core of the spectrum debate is who's got all the control over the spectrum that's available. It seems that there are several carriers in the United States who are only using a fraction of the spectrum they actually carry. |
| Image Credit: www.sxc.hu/photo/892355 |
Television stations are a part of this as well, as they themselves are carrying spectrum that is not being used due to more customers accessing programming on the internet. Interestingly, while a looming spectrum shortage has many worried, some are saying that this is just what is needed for new management of spectrum to take place, as well as new ideas to be formed for how we can use it.
The U.K.'s Spectrum Plan
In addition to auctioning off its largest amount of mobile 4G spectrum, the country plans to use a different band of spectrum for its next-generation offering. Used currently for digital landline TV service, the 700 MHz band may provide enough 5G spectrum without the need for millions of customers to replace their existing aerials.This move is in line with the rest of the world, who is attempting to harmonize the frequencies for future mobile incarnations now so that the current complexity of 4G networks which manifests itself in incompatibility between networks can be avoided completely.
What's So Great About 5G
So why is the United Kingdom trying so hard to get to a 5G Utopia? Mainly because it is the latest technology available - which most customers are always after and therefore willing to pay for - and is far more enhanced than the 4G connections we are currently used to.5G will allow users to take their mobile experience to the next level. With 5G, they will be able to receive an internet connection on a laptop simply by connecting a cell phone to it. The quality of cell phone calls will far exceed that of 3 and 4G connections, becoming not only quicker to access, but with far less interruption and the virtual elimination of dropped calls due to weak signals.
When Can We Expect 5G?
It could be some time before 5G is readily available in America, although it may be sooner than later if the spectrum crunch does occur. As well, 4G, believe it or not, is still in development! So if you suspected that things were moving faster than ever before, then you are probably right!It seems like we are learning as we go when it comes to mobile technology. But the good news is that it appears many lessons have been learned about spectrum, at least enough to be prompting us to take steps to avoid falling into the same hardships when it's time to release 5G technology to the rest of the world.
Jodi GrantAbout the Guest Author:
Guest author Jodi Grant writes on a variety of topics, particularly related to technology. She is a frequent contributor to blogs and sites that help consumers locate internet service in their neighborhood.