A new GSMA-backed study has made the case for new Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum as a key driver of mobile broadband growth in the Americas. The study by US-based research firm Global View Partners said the spectrum – as a core 3G band in the Americas – will accelerate the launch of new services in the region and put it on a par with Asia and Europe in terms of 3G reach. “Regulators should move quickly and not delay in making this valuable and viable spectrum available to meet the rapidly growing broadband needs of consumers and businesses across the Americas,” said Ricardo Tavares, senior vice-president at the GSMA. The spectrum – 90MHz in the 1.7-2.1GHz range – has already been auctioned-off to operators in the US (in 2006) and Canada (in 2008), and the study notes that the prices paid for AWS spectrum in these countries “revealed high market demand,” as well as adding significant mobile broadband capacity and coverage. Many Latin America markets are planning to license the spectrum this year.

According to the study, additional licensing of the AWS spectrum across the region should bring total subscribers with AWS-enabled devices from an estimated 12.4 million at the end of 2009 to an estimated 177.8 million at the end of 2013, a growth rate of 94 percent each year. As the subscriber base increases, the research suggests that device sales will also grow from an estimated 10.9 million in 2009 to an estimated 114.5 million in 2013, representing a growth rate of 80 percent each year. The research also highlighted operator plans. For example, T-Mobile USA plans to continue to drive AWS device and subscriber penetration over the next several years. Global View Partners’ market forecast predicts approximately one half of the operator’s subscriber base are expected to be using HSPA-enabled devices capable of operating in the AWS band within two years, with more than 90 percent within five years. The full report is available here.