Ericsson, Nokia Eye 450 Band for GSM

Many of the world's first mobile networks, running the Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) analog standard, used spectrum in the 450 MHz band. Most of those networks have been shut down, but in many countries, there's a desire to reuse the spectrum since it allows for sparsely populated and remote areas to be covered with fewer base stations than a network at a higher frequency. Most of these new 450 MHz networks have elected to use CDMA in the band, while others are now turning to Flash OFDM. But Ericsson and Nokia see an opportunity, and now say they'll make make GSM equipment for 450 Mhz. CDMA and Flash OFDM offer some benefits over GSM, but the promise of compatibility with the majority of Europe's other networks may give it a significant advantage there. In emerging markets, the economies of scale of GSM manufacturers to offer handsets and network gear at low costs may also make it formidable as well.