Press Release: GSMA Launches Prime Mobile Services In Brazil

GSMA LAUNCHES MOBILE SERVICES INITIATIVES WITH GOVERNMENT OF BRAZIL AND LEADING MOBILE OPERATORS 25 February 2014, Barcelona: The GSMA today announced several initiatives to advance the scope and scale of mobile services in Brazil for the benefit of its citizens and businesses. Paulo Bernardo, Minister of Communications, Federative Republic of Brazil and Anne Bouverot, Director General of the GSMA signed an agreement under which the GSMA and Government of Brazil will work together to accelerate the adoption of mobile broadband and the delivery of new mobile services in Brazil. Additionally, the GSMA and all of Brazil’s mobile operators – Algar Telecom, Claro, Nextel, Oi, Sercomtel, TIM Brasil and Vivo – announced their collaboration to provide users with safer, more secure and convenient mobile experiences through a set of initiatives that address issues such as SMS spam, handset theft and child protection. “With nearly 115 million unique subscribers and 277 million mobile connections, Brazil is the largest mobile market in Latin America,” said Anne Bouverot, Director General, GSMA. “Working together with the Government of Brazil and the country’s mobile operators, we will continue to expand the reach of mobile networks and services in Brazil and ensure that all customers can enjoy the transformational benefits of mobile in a protected and trusted environment.” GSMA and Brazil Memorandum of Understanding The GSMA and the Brazilian Ministry of Communications will address a number of key areas to accelerate the adoption of mobile broadband networks and services across the country. The GSMA will provide its global expertise and facilitate dialogue in areas such as machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, mHealth, mMoney and mEducation, among others. Further, the GSMA will work with operators in developing solutions to facilitate international roaming, aiming to make the service more efficient, transparent and easy to use. The Ministry of Communications will work to promote the widespread deployment of mobile broadband in Brazil, establishing clear and fair guidelines for the allocation of spectrum frequencies that will stimulate mobile broadband development. Further, the Ministry will work with other government bodies to create an adequate regulatory framework to enable new services like mHealth, mMoney and M2M, with the goal of creating of local ecosystems. To drive these projects forward, the Ministry will establish a Government Working Group, with participation from the GSMA. GSMA and Mobile Operators Launch Customer Protection Initiative Working with the GSMA, Brazil’s mobile operators Algar Telecom, Claro, Nextel, Oi, Sercomtel, TIM Brasil and Vivo will implement a multi-faceted customer protection initiative throughout Brazil, focusing on three key areas: Controlling SMS spam – With approximately 268 million mobile devices currently active in Brazil, helping to control SMS spam is a growing issue. To protect customers from unsolicited messages and identify spammers in Brazil, operators have launched the GSMA’s Spam Reporting Service where users can forward texts to *SPAM (*7726). The messages are then aggregated, analysed and incorporated into spam ‘fingerprints’ by the system, providing operators important details about origination, size, intent and growth pattern of the spam messages. The service allows mobile operators to isolate attacks on their network and help prevent the attack spreading to another network, thus curbing the spread of spam in Brazil. Reducing handset theft - Brazil has the second highest rate of handset theft in the world, with more than one million devices stolen each year1. Brazilian mobile operators are now extending their current national collaboration to work with their international counterparts to further reduce opportunities to illegally export and reconnect stolen devices around the world. The operators will share the unique identification codes of stolen devices via the centralised GSMA IMEI database, effectively blocking their future use. This wider international partnership will ultimately reduce the rate of theft and control illegal trafficking, as stolen mobile phones will be rendered useless. Protecting children’s rights - The Brazilian mobile operators are proud to support the work of SaferNet Brazil since 2008, a national organisation founded specifically to protect children online and to promote human rights on the Internet. The operators also support Disque 100, a Freephone helpline operating under the auspices of the national Department for Human Rights. To help raise awareness of the option for children to access the free support and services of both organisations via mobile, the Brazilian operators will send a standard SMS to every customer, informing them of the SaferNet Brazil and Disque 100 services and will include the SaferNet logo and weblink on their websites. "Initiatives that contribute to user safety, enable service delivery and improve the mobile experience of the subscriber will always have the support of Sercomtel. This campaign is a way for operators to engage in actions to protect children and to combat theft devices and spam SMS," said President of Sercomtel, Christian Perillier Schneider. “The technology is capable of changing behaviors and facilitating the daily lives of people. Today, virtually every Brazilian has access to telecommunications services and Telefónica Vivo is proud to make them accessible to all social classes and in the most isolated regions of the country. It is important not to lose sight of the need to collaborate in offering alternatives that contribute to the safe use of information and communication technologies. This campaign addresses these issues, has our support and demonstrates the performance of socially responsible business,” said Antonio Carlos Valente, President of Telefónica Group in Brazil. “For TIM, it is essential to participate in a project like this, which reinforces the transparency of our business and strengthens our relationship of trust with the consumer. We know that the cell phone is part of day-to-day lives and seek solutions that bring more security and a better user experience underscoring the commitment of operators to their users," commented Rodrigo Abreu, President of TIM Brazil. The Brazilian mobile operators have committed to implement the customer protection programmes within the next six months. With Brazil as a starting point, the GSMA will also be working to undertake similar initiatives with its other operator members throughout Latin America. For more information about these consumer protection initiatives, please visit www.gsmala.com/we-care-brazil. -ENDS- Notes to Editors: www.opovo.com.br/app/opovo/economia/2013/06/04/noticiasjornaleconomia,3067825/brasil-e-o-segundo-no-mundo-em-roubo-de-celulares.shtml Translation Portuguese About the GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators with 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in industry sectors such as financial services, healthcare, media, transport and utilities. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Expo. For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA. GSMA Latin America is the branch of the GSMA in the region. For more information in English, Spanish and Portuguese, please visit www.gsmala.com. Follow GSMA LA on Twitter: @GSMALatam. Media Contacts: For the GSMA: Regina Pimenta +55 11 2858-9191 (office) +55 11 98136-6835 (mobile) regina@pimenta.com Tatiana Cantoni +55 11 2858-9190 (office) +55 11 95210-2225 (mobile) taticantoni@pimenta.com GSMA Press Office pressoffice@gsma.com

Press Release: Barcelona Witnesses New Records In GSMA Mobile World Congress 2014

GSMA MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS 2014 SHATTERS PREVIOUS RECORDS With More Than 85,000 Visitors, Attendance Up By 18 Per Cent Over Mobile World Congress 2013 27 February 2014, Barcelona: The GSMA today reported that more than 85,000* visitors from 201 countries attended the 2014 Mobile World Congress, setting another new record for the mobile industry’s premier event. In addition to the more than 80,000 attendees at Mobile World Congress at Fira Gran Via, more than 5,000 people participated in a range of partner programmes at Fira Montjuïc. “By any measure, the 2014 Mobile World Congress was a stunning success and we thank our attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and partners for their continued support,” said John Hoffman, CEO, GSMA Ltd. “Beyond the number of attendees and participating companies, the continued expansion of the event to address key adjacent industry sectors demonstrates just how pervasive mobile is in our everyday lives and how integrated it is becoming in everything that we do. It’s gratifying to be part of such a dynamic, exciting industry.” Mobile World Congress set additional records, with more than 1,800 exhibiting companies showcasing cutting-edge products and services across 98,000 net square metres of exhibition and hospitality space. More than 3,800 international media and industry analysts attended the event to report on the many significant industry announcements made at the Congress. Preliminary independent economic analysis indicates that the 2014 Mobile World Congress will have contributed more than €356 million and 7,220 part-time jobs to the local economy. The four-day conference and exhibition attracted executives from the world’s largest and most influential mobile operators, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies and companies from industry sectors such as automotive, finance and healthcare, as well as government delegations from across the globe. Over 50 per cent of this year’s Mobile World Congress attendees hold C-level positions, including more than 4,500 CEOs and 18 per cent of attendees for the 2014 show were women. Leading CEOs Take the Stage at Mobile World Congress  The Mobile World Congress conference programme featured Mobile World Live keynotes from Mark Zuckerberg, Founder, and CEO, Facebook and Virginia Rometty, Chairman, President and CEO, IBM. CEOs and senior executives from companies including Alcatel-Lucent, América Móvil, Bitcoin Foundation, Cisco, Citigroup, Connecthings, EMC Corporation, Etisalat Group, Ford Motor Company, Isis, Jasper Wireless, Kakao Corp., KDDI, Lookout, Millicom, NTT DOCOMO, Raspberry Pi Foundation, Shazam Entertainment, Shhmooze, SingTel, SK Planet, Tele2 Group, Viacom International Media Networks and WhatsApp also participated in the keynote programme. Record Attendance to GSMA Ministerial ProgrammeThe GSMA’s Ministerial Programme again saw record attendance, with government delegations from 160 countries and intergovernmental organisations meeting in Barcelona, including 74 Ministers. The Ministerial Programme brings together governments, regulators and industry leaders to discuss the specific regulatory issues shaping the development of mobile around the world. Ooredoo and Tata Consultancy Services were the Official Sponsors for the 2014 GSMA Ministerial Programme. Connected Living Coming of Age  The Connected City, one of the most popular attractions at Mobile World Congress, attracted 17,000 visitors over four days. The Connected City, presented with operator partners AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, KT and Vodafone showcased mobile connected solutions for a range of services, such as education, health, retail, transport, smart cities and others. Among the many highlights from the Connected City was a team of connected basketball players from PABA (Pays d’Aix Basket Asptt) wearing the latest Cityzen Sciences' smart sensing sportswear coupled with mobile broadband to monitor and optimise team performance as well as data management, as well as Oral-B’s interactive electric toothbrush with Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, which was introduced at Mobile World Congress. NFC Experience at Mobile World Congress The 2014 event featured an expanded NFC Experience, offering a range of services for attendees with NFC-enabled devices, such as venue access with the NFC Badge, catering and networking, access to event information and other downloadable material, as well as demonstrations of the latest NFC products and services, among others. Ten thousand attendees utilised the NFC Badge and nearly 51,000 NFC transactions were made across Fira Gran Via.  Building on the success of the NFC Badge in 2013, customers of Bouygues Telecom, Bharti Airtel, Dialog, Etisalat, KT Corp., Orange, Tata and Telstra were able to further streamline their entry to Mobile World Congress by participating in a trial using their mobile operator credentials to confirm their identity. Mobile World Congress Back at Montjuïc This year, the Mobile World Congress included a number of partner-led events at Fira Montjuïc, drawing more than 5,000 attendees. Montjuïc hosted mPowered Industries, with keynotes from companies such as the BBC, Marriott International, Procter & Gamble and Walmart, and vertical industry conference from ECHAlliance, EyeforTravel, Mobile Media Summit and NAB Show; the WIPJam and GSMA DEVCON and HACKATHON; and 4 Years From Now (4YFN), a mobile entrepreneurship and innovation event created by Mobile World Capital. Mobile World Congress: A Carbon Neutral Event  The 2014 Mobile World Congress will be the world’s largest tradeshow certified to have a zero carbon footprint. The GSMA is in the process of certifying Mobile World Congress as carbon neutral through the internationally recognised PAS 2060 standard. To achieve carbon neutrality, the GSMA undertook activities to reduce the carbon footprint of Mobile World Congress and has purchased carbon credits to offset any remaining emissions, funding projects including a hydropower project in China, a wind energy project in India and a geothermal energy project in Kenya. Mobile World Congress 2015 The 2015 Mobile World Congress will be held 2-5 March 2015 at Fira Gran Via. “It has been another fantastic week here in the Mobile World Capital Barcelona. On behalf of the GSMA, we thank the city of Barcelona, the city of Hospitalet, the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Fira de Barcelona and all of our Barcelona partners, for their continued strong support. I would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to so many others that make our event such a success, including the police forces, the operators of transport services including bus, taxi, Metro and train and the hotels and restaurants throughout Barcelona. We look forward to returning next year and building on our success together,” concluded Hoffman.  The Mobile World Congress is the cornerstone of the Mobile World Capital, which will be hosted in Barcelona from 2013 to 2018. The Mobile World Capital encompasses programmes and activities that span the entire year and will benefit not only the citizens of Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain, but also the worldwide mobile industry. For more information on the Mobile World Capital, visit www.mobileworldcapital.com.   For more information on the 2014 Mobile World Congress, please visit www.mobileworldcongress.com. Note to editor: *This figure represents the number individual attendees at the event, including delegates, exhibitors, contractors and media; it does not represent the total number of entries to the event. -ENDS- About the GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators with more than 230 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in industry sectors such as financial services, healthcare, media, transport and utilities. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as the Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Expo.  For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com or Mobile World Live, the online portal for the mobile communications industry, at www.mobileworldlive.com. Media Contacts:  For the GSMA Charlie Meredith-Hardy +44 7917 298428 CMeredith-Hardy@webershandwick.com Christian Martinell +34 607 150 276 CMartinell@webershandwick.com GSMA Press Office press@gsma.com

Press Release: GSMA and Facebook Jointly Aim To Connect the Unconnected

GSMA AND FACEBOOK ANNOUNCE JOINT INITIATIVE TO CONNECT THE UNCONNECTED GSMA and Facebook to Focus Work on Reducing Total Cost of Ownership of Mobile 25 February 2014, Barcelona: The GSMA and Facebook, through its Internet.org partnership, today announced a joint initiative designed to connect the billions of men and women globally that currently have no access to Internet-based communications services. The joint initiative will focus on reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) of mobile, given that mobile will be the enabling technology for the vast majority of people in developing markets. “While there are nearly 7 billion mobile connections worldwide, there are only 3.4 billion people that currently have mobile phones,” said Tom Phillips, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA. “Mobile will offer many around the world, particularly in emerging markets, their only access to the Internet and the information and communications services it enables. Connecting the next billion is a major goal of the GSMA and we are pleased to be working with Facebook and internet.org to make this a reality.” “We launched the Internet.org partnership last year as a contribution to addressing the challenge of ensuring everyone has affordable access to the Internet,” said Elliot Schrage, VP Communications and Public Policy, Facebook. “Mobile operators are key to meeting this challenge and we are pleased to be able to work with GSMA on making sure that mobile Internet can be delivered in a sustainable and affordable way.” The activities undertaken by the GSMA and Facebook will entail working with governments in developing markets to address key factors that have an impact on affordability and availability. The partnership will focus on creating a sustainable environment to incentivise mobile infrastructure investment and usage, as well as eliminating or reducing existing mobile-specific taxation or refraining from imposing new such tax regimes. The GSMA and Facebook recently issued reports elaborating on these issues. The GSMA study “Mobile Taxes and Fees: A Toolkit of Principles and Evidence” examined the current taxation burden on mobile in 19 countries in developing markets, revealing the significant negative impact of sector-specific taxation in these markets. The research findings demonstrate that taxes on mobile restrict the growth of the sector, as well as consumer uptake of mobile services. Facebook supports the GSMA’s recommendation that governments should take early action to reduce the excessive levels of sector-specific taxes and fees on the mobile industry. The Facebook report “Value of Connectivity” looks at the impact of extending Internet access to the billions of individuals that are currently unconnected. The findings suggest that if developing countries could bridge the gap in Internet penetration to reach levels that developed economies enjoy today, they would experience large increases in GDP growth and productivity and improvements in health conditions and education opportunities, providing a clear potential to reduce poverty and promote long-term economic and social development. Together, the GSMA and Facebook will also address a range of other issues that will improve affordability and help to connect the world’s population to the Internet, such as: maximising the availability of harmonised spectrum to drive mobile broadband adoption; evaluating the establishment of local Internet Exchange Points (IXPs); fostering the development of local Internet content; and examining the effectiveness of Universal Service Funds. The GSMA report “Mobile Taxes and Fees: A Toolkit of Principles and Evidence” is available at www.gsma.com/publicpolicy/tax/research-and-resources. The Facebook report “Value of Connectivity” is available at http://internet.org/press/value-of-connectivity. - ENDS - About the GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators with 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in industry sectors such as financial services, healthcare, media, transport and utilities. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Expo.  For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA. About Facebook Facebook's mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. People use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, to discover what's going on in the world, and to share and express what matters to them. About internet.org Internet.org is a global partnership between technology leaders, nonprofits, local communities and experts who are working together to bring the internet to the two thirds of the world’s population that doesn’t have it. Media Contacts: For the GSMA Charlie Meredith-Hardy +44 7917 298 428 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +44 7917 298 428 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting cmeredith-hardy@webershandwick.com GSMA Press Office pressoffice@gsma.com For Facebook press@fb.com Internet@brunswickgroup.com

Press Release: GSMA HONOURS THE GOVERNMENTS IN ITS MOBILE EXCELLENCE AWARDS

GSMA HONOURS THE GOVERNMENTS OF BOTSWANA, LEBANON, SPAIN AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES IN ITS GOVERNMENT MOBILE EXCELLENCE AWARDS 24 February 2014, Barcelona: The GSMA today recognised the governments of Botswana, Lebanon, Spain and the United Arab Emirates at the mobile industry’s prestigious Government Mobile Excellence Awards, which honour governments’ significant achievements in driving the growth and socio-economic impact of the mobile industry in their respective countries. This year, the Government Mobile Excellence Awards have been expanded to include four categories: Government Leadership, Spectrum for Mobile Broadband, Economic Policy for Sustainable Mobile Growth and Connected Government. The awards acknowledge government policies and regulation that encourage investment and support transparency, competition and regulatory independence. “The governments of Botswana, Lebanon, Spain and the United Arab Emirates have demonstrated a clear commitment to putting mobile at the top of their digital agendas,” said Tom Phillips, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA. “We encourage administrations from around the globe to be inspired by their achievements and adopt similar best practice measures in order to encourage greater mobile industry investment, support innovation and increase the provision of mobile services for their citizens.” Government Leadership Award - Government of Botswana The 2014 Government Leadership Award was presented to the Government of Botswana and the Honourable Minister of Communications, Mr. Nonofo Molefhi. The Minister and his Government’s leadership and vision for a digital Southern Africa were the catalyst for a regional collaboration at the “Encouraging Digital Inclusion in Southern Africa” Ministerial Summit held in Kasane, Botswana in September 2013. This summit culminated in the signing of a joint communiqué by six countries, supported by a commitment from the GSMA to expand capacity-building efforts in the region. The agreement serves as a framework for enhanced regional policy coordination. Spectrum for Mobile Broadband Award - Government of the United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has been at the forefront of the international drive to increase the spectrum available for mobile broadband. The TRA chaired the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference in 2012 and led intensive coordination and consensus building efforts to identify the 700MHz band for mobile, at an international level. In May 2013, the United Arab Emirates became the first country in the Middle East, Africa or Europe to identify the 700MHz spectrum band for mobile — a milestone in the development of what promises to become a nearly global harmonised spectrum band for mobile broadband. Economic Policy for Sustainable Mobile Growth Award - Government of Spain The Digital Agenda for Spain, approved in February 2013, is the government’s strategy to develop Spain’s digital economy and society. With 121 concrete measures and a budget of €2.3 billion, the strategy combines an innovative legislative framework, to promote mobile network deployment; a publicly-funded programme, to expand mobile network coverage in less profitable areas; and the allocation of more spectrum for mobile broadband. To increase investment in mobile infrastructure, the Government of Spain is developing a new General Telecommunication Law, which will increase legal certainty and provide efficiency gains for mobile operators through legislation that reduces the cost of network deployment. Connected Government Award - Government of Lebanon The Government of Lebanon’s “Open Your Tomorrow” project seeks to provide every student with an affordable 3G tablet, purpose-built with academic content and robust security. Working with a number of technology providers, the aim is to improve education opportunities and provide children with a learning advantage, levelling the playing field with children from around the world. Lebanon’s Ministry of Telecommunications funded the project by sourcing 15,000 Android-based tablets, all equipped with parental controls and an enterprise mobility management (EMM) system provided by AirWatch. The Ministry of Education’s goal is to deploy an additional 400,000 tablets into schools within the next two years and inspire content publishers and app developers to produce educational materials for academic purposes. The awards were presented as part of the GSMA’s annual Ministerial Programme at Mobile World Congress. More than 1,200 key government and regulatory representatives from around the world are meeting with industry leaders to discuss specific regulatory issues relating to the development of mobile communications. This year, the Ministerial Programme has attracted more than 160 delegations, representing all regions. - ENDS - About the GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators with 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in industry sectors such as financial services, healthcare, media, transport and utilities. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Expo.  For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA. Media Contacts: For the GSMA Charlie Meredith-Hardy +44 7917 298 428 cmeredith-hardy@webershandwick.com GSMA Press Office pressoffice@gsma.com

Press Release NEW GSMA REPORT REVEALS HOW SPECTRUM LICENCE UNCERTAINTY JEOPARDISES MOBILE SERVICES IN LATIN AMERICA

NEW GSMA REPORT REVEALS HOW SPECTRUM LICENCE UNCERTAINTY JEOPARDISES MOBILE SERVICES IN LATIN AMERICA Greater Certainty and Longevity for Spectrum Licensing is Vital for Ongoing Investment in Mobile Networks Across the Region 19 February 2014, London: The GSMA today released findings of a new report, “Licence Renewal in Latin America”, which highlights the climate of uncertainty surrounding the continuity of spectrum licences for many countries in the region. The study finds that such uncertainty can drive mobile operators to reduce their capital expenditure by as much as 67 per cent, which in turn could significantly delay the deployment of new mobile services. “It is vital that governments and regulators in Latin America communicate a clear process for the renewal of spectrum licences,” said Tom Phillips, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA said. “Licence renewal terms for existing spectrum holders should be agreed at least three to four years before a licence expires, in order for operators to ensure ongoing investment in the latest mobile services.” A number of the original 2G spectrum licences, acquired in the 1990s, are due to expire within the next five years in many Latin American countries; namely Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Uruguay and, most urgently, Colombia. As mobile operators are unable to assume they will have the ability to renew their licence at the end of its term, they may be compelled to progressively reduce investment in their networks. The GSMA’s new report illustrates the extent to which this lack of certainty can impact operators’ investment plans. Knock-on Effect of Expiry of Spectrum Licences for Mobile The loss of access rights to mobile spectrum also impacts consumers, in terms of potential price increases, a reduction in the quality of their mobile services or, in the extreme, a loss of service altogether. This situation creates challenges for governments, as it can impact the achievement of their own ICT goals and create an unstable market structure. Urgent Call to Clarify the Licence Renewal Process  The situation for Colombian mobile operators Claro and Movistar is particularly critical as their licences will expire on 31 March 2014 and the terms and conditions for renewal are not yet clear. The report identifies best practice that governments should consider when renewing spectrum licences, including a collaborative and consultative approach with operators. Any potential new conditions should be carefully reviewed in order to determine their economic cost, which should be factored into the valuation of spectrum at the time of licence renewal. “Spectrum re-licensing must be timely and carried out in consultation with the mobile industry and in an open and transparent way,” continued Phillips. “The cost of renewing spectrum usage rights should be based on achieving the best outcome for society - one which maximises the economic and social benefits of the mobile industry - rather than on maximising short-term revenue for government.” The GSMA is calling for greater clarity on the following: Spectrum Valuation: Price estimates for licence renewal should take account of changing market conditions faced by the mobile industry, including increased market saturation, commoditisation of basic services and the resulting pressure on margins and industry profitability; Renewal Method: Governments and regulators should define clear objectives and a transparent process well ahead of licence expiry and include an early indication of the likelihood of renewal or reassignment of the allocated spectrum; Conditions: Any new conditions imposed upon mobile operators as part of the spectrum licence renewal process, such as coverage and quality of service obligations, should be feasible and have a clear economic valuation so all stakeholders understand the level of obligations these conditions involve; Payment: The method used for setting licence payments and fees needs to be based on objective criteria such as the frequency, bandwidth and potential commercial use of the spectrum under consideration; Spectrum Caps: Any limitations placed on spectrum holdings should be updated according to any increased demand and the availability of other spectrum bands; and Licence Duration: Longer licences are necessary to stimulate continuous investment in new technology and upgrades to existing network infrastructure. Shorter licence terms can discourage new investment and reduce the likelihood of operators launching new and innovative services. “Spectrum licences should be granted for a minimum of 15 to 20 years to give investors sufficient time to plan their long-term investments and business strategies,” stated Phillips. “Failure to effectively manage the spectrum licence renewal process can delay investment in new services. This could have serious consequences for their businesses and potentially jeopardise mobile services for millions of consumers.” The full report can be viewed here: http://www.gsma.com/spectrum/licence-renewal-in-latin-america/ - ENDS - Notes to Editors 1 GSMA Latin America represents the interests of mobile operators throughout the Latin America region with a presence in Argentina, Brazil and Chile. For more information on GSMA Latin America, including in English, Spanish and Portuguese, visit www.gsmala.com. Follow GSMA LA on Twitter: @ GSMALatam. 2 The report was developed by BlueNote Management Consulting, which provides strategy, initiatives development and implementation support for the telecommunications, financial services and consumer goods industries. More information is available at www.bluenotemc.com. About the GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators with 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in industry sectors such as financial services, healthcare, media, transport and utilities. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Expo.  For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA. Media Contacts:  For the GSMA Fernando Garzón (Colombia) +57 317 4316775 fernando@highresults.net Tatiana Cantoni (Brazil) +55 11 95210-2225 taticantoni@pimenta.com GSMA Press Office pressoffice@gsma.com