Expert: Cezar L. Palconet - 1/13/2010

Question
QUESTION: How are broadbands distributed and paid for by cell phone companies?

ANSWER: Hi Chris

What exactly do you mean by broadband?
Are you referring to the amount of frequency spectrum used by a service provider?


Thanks.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm sorry I should have said bandwidth. I know that with radio frequencies they are distributed to government agencies for use and there is an annual fee for them.  I wanted to know if the cell phone companies are given a certain bandwidth and charged yearly, monthly, etc.

Answer
Hi Cris

Yes, mobile or fixed service providers using frequency spectrum to deliver the service, are charge by the government, an annual amount of money for the license fee and a one time fee for assignment which may expire on certain period of time ie:5 years, or greater.

The government which is the regulator, distributes among the many service providers, the allocated spectrum for the service as well as franchise the service area or coverage, the ITU recommends the type of service and the lower and upper limits of the spectrum as well as the separation between the TX and RX and other use of the specific frequency spectrum.
The government or regulator also regulates the emission parameters for each station, making sure that provisions of the license are adhered to.

regards.