ITU plans for growth after 3G licence deployment

NEWS The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has approved additional spectrum requirements for IMT-2000 - the next-generation global wireless standard. ITU believes the extra allocation will be required as early as 2010 due to mass deployment of third-generation UMTS licences. However, IMT-2000 also provides the standards for wireless fixed-line voice and data communications and many operators in the telecommunications industry had been wary of developing and deploying networks and services in case they faced capacity restraints. Remaining decisions that need to be made with regards to the IMT-2000 spectrum are how it is distributed globally and how the interests of developing nations can be safeguarded.