DIGITALEUROPE
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digitaleurope | info@digitaleurope | @DIGITALEUROPE
Transparency register member for the Commission: 64270747023-20Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ......... 3
2. ITU-R ACTIVITIES: AGENDA ITEM 1.13 FOR WRC-19 .. 4
A. SPECTRUM NEEDS STUDIES ... 4
B. SHARING AND COMPATIBILITY STUDIES ........ 5
C. IMT-2020 DEVELOPMENT ...... 5
3. 3GPP .. 6
4. COUNTRY AND REGIONAL INITIATIVES FOR 5G SPECTRUM OUTSIDE OF EUROPE ..... 9
5. DEVELOPMENT OF 5G SPECTRUM IN EUROPE ......... 13
6. TEST BEDS AND TRIALS ........ 16
7. PRODUCT AVAILABILITY ....... 20
8. LICENSING OF 5G SPECTRUM .......... 23
9. RECOMMENDATIONS ON 5G SPECTRUM FOR EUROPE ....... 25
10. LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ........... 27
DIGITALEUROPE
Rue de la Science, 14 - 1040 Brussels [Belgium]
T. +32 (0) 2 609 53 10 F. +32 (0) 2 431 04 89
digitaleurope | info@digitaleurope | @DIGITALEUROPE
Transparency register member for the Commission: 64270747023-201. Introduction
The capabilities of next generation of wireless networks will make possible massive new levels of connectivity,
tremendous throughput speed and high reliability mobile communications. These capabilities will be met through
the development of new air interfaces, new networking technologies as well as the evolution and enhancement
of today’s technology. 5G is thus more than a gradual evolution of current mobile broadband: it is a trigger for
deep social, business, and industrial transformation that will impact numerous vertical markets: automotive,
energy, agriculture, city management, government, healthcare, manufacturing, public transportation, etc.
Technology developments to meet these capabilities will be deployed in the existing frequency bands identified
for mobile communications but they will also require new spectrum resources to specifically provide high
bandwidth resources that can efficiently deliver high throughput services.
The ITU-R considers the spectrum for public wireless networks (3G, 4G and now 5G) under the IMT framework.
At the ITU-R World Radiocommunications Conference 2015 an Agenda Item for WRC-19 (AI 1.13) for studying 5G
spectrum was agreed. A number of frequency bands between 24.25 GHz and 86 GHz will be studied until WRC-
19, where a decision on allocations for the Mobile Service and/or Identifications for IMT will be taken. In the study
period between WRC-15 and WRC-19 the new spectrum needs for IMT will be analysed, as well as compatibility
with other services.
In parallel, there are country and regional initiatives to specify new frequency bands for commercial use or test
systems, such as the Rulemaking in the US, the activities towards the Olympic Games in Korea and Japan and the
definition of pioneer bands in Europe. These initiatives are addressing higher frequency bands that will assist to
meet the very high throughput capabilities of 5G networks, but also bands below 6 GHz that could provide a
combination of high bitrates and good coverage. Some of the bands under consideration are not on the ITU-R list
for WRC-19. In addition, there are test systems planned or already up and running in a number of locations and
for various frequency bands in different countries.
Work in 3GPP is also progressing, and has indeed been accelerated to provide timely specifications for 5G New
Radio (NR). In addition, vendors are already developing commercial equipment that will meet the requirements
for early deployments in Europe and in other parts of the World.
Discussions have started in Europe regarding the appropriate licensing methods of 5G spectrum, e.g. in the
context of public consultations in different countries and the second opinion on 5G spectrum from RSPG. Aspects
such as harmonisation of licensing conditions, license duration, licensed vs license exempt etc. will greatly
influence the willingness to invest in spectrum, and thus the success of 5G in Europe. Methods for making
spectrum available for verticals also needs to be considered.
These different activities need to be taken into consideration already now in the development strategies for 5G
spectrum in Europe, in order to achieve maximum possible harmonization and for Europe to influence and keep
pace with international developments. DIGITALEUROPE thus provides recommendations on the way forward
regarding 5G spectrum for Europe.
DIGITALEUROPE
Rue de la Science, 14 - 1040 Brussels [Belgium]
T. +32 (0) 2 609 53 10 F. +32 (0) 2 431 04 89
digitaleurope | info@digitaleurope | @DIGITALEUROPE
Transparency register member for the Commission: 64270747023-202. ITU-R Activities: Agenda Item 1.13 for WRC-19
Table 1 details the frequency bands identified in ITU-R Resolution 238 (WRC-15) that will be studied in preparation
for agenda item 1.13 of WRC-19 (ITU-R Resolution 809 (WRC-15)). The agenda item will consider identifying new
bands for the new generation of mobile communications commonly referred to as 5G1. The bands are in the
frequency range 24.25 – 86 GHz and comprise a total bandwidth of about 32 GHz. It is not expected that all of
these bands will be identified for or used by 5G.
In addition, ITU-R Resolution 238 invites studies into the spectrum needs for 5G across the same frequency range.
The selection of bands will depend on the results of the studies called for by ITU-R Resolution 238 and certain
frequency ranges may also become more or less prominent driven by regional considerations and industrial
developments.
30 GHz 24.25-27.5 GHz, 31.8-33.4* GHz
40 – 55 GHz 37-40.5,40.5-42.5*,42.5-43.5 GHz, 45.5-47 GHz, 47-47.2*, 47.2-50.2 GHz,
50.4-52.6 GHz
66 – 86 GHz66-71 GHz, 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz
Table 1. Frequency bands for study under ITU-R Resolution 238. Frequency bands marked with an asterisk do not have a
primary mobile allocation in the Radio Regulations.24.25 – 25.25 GHz does not have a primary mobile allocation in Regions
1 or 2, only in Region 3.
a. Spectrum Needs Studies
The studies are directed to take into account the technological advances expected for 5G and particularly the
related requirements of high data traffic such as in dense urban areas and/or in peak times. The results of the
studies have now been contributed to the preparatory work for WRC-19 Agenda Item 1.13 within the ITU-R.
Determining the spectrum needs for 5G (or any technology) requires several assumptions about the technology
performance, the expected market and services, and the deployment characteristics. For these reasons several
approaches were considered by the ITU-R expert group. An “Application based” approach considers at a high
level the need to deliver high data rate applications into a population of devices.A Technical performance-based
approach considers in more detail the performance of the radio equipment and network deployment and
alternatively the impact of fulfilling the 5G Technical Performance Requirements were considered.
In addition, some countries carried out their own assessments of the spectrum needs based on national
circumstances and these were taken into account too.
According to the application based approach, 2-3 GHz for the lower ranges below 33.4 GHz is required rising to 6
to 9GHz for the high frequencies above 66 GHz. The estimates cover urban and dense urban scenarios as well as
1Formally in the ITU-R, mobile communications standards families and spectrum are brought together under the
International Mobile Telephony (IMT) umbrella. IMT-2020 is the new addition to the family that encompasses the
capabilities of future 5G systems.。