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Regulators make space for commercial use of bands above 100 GHz

Researchers are interested in using frequencies above 100 GHz for high speed services such as 5G backhaul and although this work is at an experimental stage in recent months administrations have started to propose the rules which would encourage its commercial exploitation. The ITU, CEPT, the FCC and the UK's Ofcom have all been active, as Patrick Gahan explains. Research Notes 4.4 – 5 GHz 4.4 – 5 GHz is…

Researchers are interested in using frequencies above 100 GHz for high speed services such as 5G backhaul and although this work is at an experimental stage in recent months administrations have started to propose the rules which would encourage its commercial exploitation.

The ITU, CEPT, the FCC and the UK’s Ofcom have all been active, as Patrick Gahan explains.

Research Notes

4.4 – 5 GHz

4.4 – 5 GHz is not currently used for mobile broadband, but portions of the band will be used for 5G in China and Japan. The FCC is considering allowing secondary mobile use of the band, but its use in Western countries is complicated by NATO’s active use of the band in Europe.
The ability to use 26 GHz for 5G is limited by the need to protect satellite earth observation services in 24 GHz. But what are the engineering issues behind this? Independent consultant Roberto Ercole explains how they affect the commercial prospects for the band.

Does long-range IoT need better harmonised ISM frequencies?

Unlike the 2.4 GHz ISM band, the most attractive unlicensed spectrum for low-power IoT networks just below 1 GHz is not globally harmonised. Is better harmonisation needed and how much can be achieved?

The role of satellite in extending terrestrial IOT networks

In the second of our series of articles about IoT networks, we consider the benefits of adding a satellite component and the industry progress in achieving this.

3.6 – 3.8 GHz

3.6-3.7 achieved a wider IMT identification at WRC-15 but 3.7-3.8 GHz did not enjoy the same success. Europe is pushing ahead with releasing 3.6-3.8 GHz along with 3.4-3.6 GHz, while the US is considering how to encourage the use of fixed and mobile broadband services in 3.7 GHz -4.2 GHz. C-band spectrum will not be […]

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