Refarmed spectrum could help mobile broadband as 4G evolves

The evolution of fourth-generation or '4G' mobile technology could rely in part on the reallocation of parts of the radio frequency spectrum to mobile broadband, rather than obsolete formats like analogue television.

With analogue broadcasts being switched off in many countries, the timing is right for these parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to be used for 4G communications, says ABI Research.

Previous incarnations - such as 3G - came into existence at a time when large enough swathes of the spectrum around the 2.5 GHz range had still not been assigned, but 4G relies on making new use of the 800 MHz locale, the analyst predicts.

Equipment such as femtocells could provide one way of creating mobile broadband hotspots without actually placing undue strain on the cell phone network of any given country.

The units can connect a hotspot to the core, wired broadband infrastructure in a location, meaning the bulk of the traffic is not carried via a true mobile signal.