The impact of spectrum prices on consumers
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The radio spectrum that governments license to operators is central to the quality and affordability of mobile broadband services. However, some government policies – inadvertently or not – result in high prices being paid to access spectrum. This study presents strong, new evidence that high spectrum prices can cause negative consumer outcomes, including lower coverage levels and slower data speeds.
Mobile networks are regularly upgraded to offer improved benefits to consumers in terms of service quality and cost – for example, better coverage and faster and more affordable data. However, there are significant variations in these metrics between countries. The report assesses whether high spectrum prices, and other aspects of spectrum management, can be a cause of such differences in service quality and cost. Governments and regulators can therefore take this into account when planning spectrum assignment approaches.
This study is, to our knowledge, the first that uses econometric models to consider the impact of spectrum pricing on a broad range of consumer outcomes. The analysis is applied to both developed and developing countries. The results show there is significant evidence to suggest a causal link between high spectrum prices, and certain other spectrum management decisions, and negative consumer outcomes.
The findings have important ramifications for governments and regulators – particularly those betting on 4G and 5G as enablers of growth and sustainable development.
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The impact of spectrum pricing in Bangladesh
At around 16%, Bangladesh’s spectrum-cost-to-revenue ratio exceeds the Asia Pacific median (10.4%) and is twice as high as the global median (7.7%). High spectrum cost has been shown to negatively impact consumer outcomes, such as network coverage and speeds. Reducing prices by 50% would align spectrum costs closer to the Asia Pacific median at about 12% by 2035, boosting 4G speeds by 17% and enabling 99% 5G coverage, yielding a cumulative $34 billion GDP boost. Aligning costs to the global median of 8% of operators’ revenue would increase 4G speeds by 22% and accelerate 5G rollout further, generating a $45 billion GDP boost.
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Learn moreRelated research
Spectrum Navigator, Q2 2025
This quarterly series leverages the GSMA Intelligence Spectrum Navigator tool to identify key trends and insights. The report outlines the latest important developments in the spectrum world and the key trends to watch going forward.
Digital Nations 2025: Achieving the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan
Successfully realising ASEAN’s development plans requires concerted efforts by stakeholders to fully leverage the opportunities presented by digitalisation. This report highlights three principal measures to improve digital readiness: bridge the infrastructure gap, accelerate regional policy harmonisation, and leverage international cooperation mechanisms.
The impact of spectrum pricing in Bangladesh
At around 16%, Bangladesh’s spectrum-cost-to-revenue ratio exceeds the Asia Pacific median (10.4%) and is twice as high as the global median (7.7%). High spectrum cost has been shown to negatively impact consumer outcomes, such as network coverage and speeds. Reducing prices by 50% would align spectrum costs closer to the Asia Pacific median at about 12% by 2035, boosting 4G speeds by 17% and enabling 99% 5G coverage, yielding a cumulative $34 billion GDP boost. Aligning costs to the global median of 8% of operators’ revenue would increase 4G speeds by 22% and accelerate 5G rollout further, generating a $45 billion GDP boost.
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