South Korea Looking at 700 MHz for Public Safety Emergency Use
The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning is discussing building a wireless communications network for national disaster by using the 700 MHz ‘golden frequency’ band.
Google Translation
“We are studying ways on partially using the 700 MHz frequency band for public safety purpose such as the national disaster communications network,” said the ministry Friday.
The 108 MHz bandwidth of the 700 MHz band became available when terrestrial broadcasters stopped analogue broadcasting in late 2012. The ministry decided to allocate 40 MHz bandwidth to the communications sector, and as of now 68 MHz bandwidth remains available. The national disaster network requires 12 MHz bandwidth.
The communications and broadcasting industries have fiercely competed to gain the 700 MHz frequency band, as this more efficient band transmits signals farther than other bands. But the ferry accident has given weight to the argument that it is proper to use such efficient band for public safety such as the national disaster communications network and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ comprehensive, next-generation maritime safety management system e-Navigation. “Public agencies and the communications and broadcasting industries all have their own demands. Therefore, we will determine a final user of the band after making comparisons and analysis in terms of public nature and economic feasibility,” said an official at the ministry.