is one of the main pressure points and, as we all know, spectrum is expensive.

One way to tackle the issue is to repurpose existing spectrum used by one
technology for use by another, commonly called refarming.

GSM refarming, for example, re-uses a part of the GSM spectrum for LTE. The lower
frequencies of GSM bands also offer better coverage for lower network deployment
cost. This is fine, but how will it affect service quality for GSM users? Can we avoid
any bad effects of GSM refarming?

Middle East operator refarms spectrum for LTE

This was exactly the challenge facing a major operator in the Middle East – it needed
new spectrum to launch LTE in new areas and increase LTE capacity in others. The
operator wanted to refarm GSM 900 for LTE but without affecting the quality of its
GSM service.

Nokia met the challenge with a unique software feature known as Dynamic
Frequency and Channel Allocation (DFCA). This allows more carriers to be deployed
over a given spectrum, increasing the traffic carrying capacity of GSM sites. The
result is that operators can serve existing GSM traffic with much fewer frequencies,
freeing up spectrum that can be reused for LTE.

With DFCA, the operator was able to refarm 5 MHz of GSM 9