Switzerland’s Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) has followed the recent example of France by reserving a portion of the country’s ‘Digital Dividend’ spectrum for future mobile services. The spectrum, which is being freed up due to the switchover from analogue to digital TV, will be in the 790-862MHz frequency band and will be made available for mobile use by 2015 at the latest. The frequency band is deemed particularly suitable for rolling out mobile broadband to rural areas that cannot be served economically by fixed broadband networks, and for increasing in-building penetration. ComCom has approved the relevant modifications to Switzerland’s National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP).

Last month, France unveiled a similar plan announcing it will open up 72MHz of UHF spectrum in the 790-862MHz band for mobile broadband. The French government’s plan comprises 154 measures covering Internet access, mobile telephony and broadcasting that aims to provide all French citizens with access to broadband services. The Swedish and Finnish governments have already decided to make the 790-862MHz band available for mobile applications.