After the announcement made by the Presidential Adviser for Digital Transformation, Saúl Kattan, about opening the entire 6 GHz band for free use and improving the Wi-Fi connection in Colombia, opinions on this issue have not been long in coming. .
For the expert Martha Suárez Peñalosa, president of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA), alliance that promotes the dynamic use of the spectrum in different countries, this measure will bring greater possibilities of advancement, innovation and connectivity in the country.
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What is the DSA’s approach?
We are a global, cross-sector, not-for-profit organization that advocates for laws, regulations, and best economic practices that lead to more efficient use of spectrum, as well as foster innovation and affordable connectivity for all.
How do you find the government’s decision?
We celebrate that this government has made this announcement. It seems to us that it was an issue where they took the lead and thanks to the expertise we could understand the importance of this. Since the previous government, this issue had already been discussed, but no decision had been made, despite the three public consultations carried out. There is no doubt that this decision seems very important to us, since in the end it will benefit all citizens.
What advantages stand out?
I must point out that by increasing the use of free spectrum there will be greater capacities, better speeds, new use cases, innovation, connectivity in remote areas, among other benefits. This is something transversal that has an impact on the entire productive sector, on access and digital inclusion.
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Mention productivity, who will be the biggest beneficiaries?
Nowadays we all use Wi-Fi, plus most of the Internet traffic goes through Wi-Fi networks, so a medium or small company will be able to have a performance much higher than what it has today, better speed, it will be able to combine Wi-Fi. Fi with any other technology, you can have virtual reality applications, in short, there are great possibilities for companies to improve their performance, and thus improve their productive activity.
How does the whole Wi-Fi network thing work and why have they become so important?
After the pandemic, we have seen that there is a greater requirement for greater connectivity capacity. This decision first serves to deliver more capacity that is needed and second promotes cases of innovation that were not possible in the past. Today we use it anywhere, there is a very clear complement between Wi-Fi and mobile networks, which allows mobile networks to be somewhat relieved.
Likewise, there are other actors that will also benefit and they are internet service providers (ISPs), small companies that bring connectivity to the most remote places. This is how, by having additional spectrum for free use, they will be able to provide a better service to their users.
What is the next step to continue closing the digital divide?
Now there are two stages. This decision by the ANE and the sector is for use indoors, that is, in closed spaces, so now what is coming is to allow the use of this measure outdoors, that will be the next stage.
Undoubtedly, enabling the spectrum is an engine of innovation and decisions like these open the door to all those developments that were previously unthinkable in the country.
johana lorduy
