ERSP Looks to 400MHz Band As Rural Telephony Alternative

Panamanian telecoms regulator ERSP is looking for alternatives for providing telephony to rural and remote areas as the debate on a proposed law to promote universal telecoms access drags on and on, local daily La Prensa reported.

One of the alternatives being considered is opening up the 400MHz band, something that equipment manufacturers and telecoms operators throughout the world have been requesting.

"Low frequency bands, such as 400MHz, allow for broader coverage than higher cellular bands, and this would benefit the rural population," ESRP telecoms director Concepción Ceballos was quoted as saying.

"They could use CDMA 450 for this application," Signals Consulting president José Otero told BNamericas. "Either in the 410-430MHz band or in the 460-480MHz band."

Some 30% of Panama's population has no access to telephony of any sort.

BNamericas.com"

Posted to the site on 14th April 2006