Blog

Countdown to WRC-19: a new series of Research Notes

Feb 05, 2018 | Spectrum Research Service Blog

There are about 30 items on the agenda for the upcoming World Radio Conference (WRC-19) and we have been sorting through them to select those with the greatest industry-wide significance. We have produced a series of Research Notes focussing on six themes, explaining where there seems to be consensus and reporting the positions which are emerging. The first Research Note identifies the key issues on the agenda, the process by which decisions are made and the likely timelines. All the Countdown to WRC-19 Research Notes are available online but over the coming weeks we will be highlighting the six subject areas in a series of posts.

Research Notes

Countdown to WRC-19: Part 1 – agenda, processes and timelines by Toby Youell November 2017 marked the half-way point between WRC-15 and WRC-19, the regular inter-governmental meeting tasked with amending the Radio Regulations.…

Global overview of 700 MHz spectrum assignment by Patrick Gahan Steady progress is being made in releasing 700 MHz for mobile with 30 auctions anticipated over the next three years.…

4.5 GHz by Richard Handford A number of countries are looking at 4.5 GHz as a possible 5G band. Japan, its most serious supporter, plans to allocate the frequencies in March 2019.

Auction Tracker updates

Switzerland 700 MHz, 1400 MHz, 2.6 GHz and 3.6-3.8 GHz Colombia 700 MHz and 1900 MHz Tanzania 700 MHz Japan 4.5 GHz and 3.7 GHz Malaysia 700 MHz Beauty Contest

News Articles

Opinion: Have governments gone off free money? 2 February 2018 Governments’ enthusiasm for filling treasury coffers with auction cash seems to be waning. Is enthusiasm for market mechanisms declining?

Japan and China eye 4.5 GHz band for 5G 1 February 2018 Japan’s regulator and mobile operators have been focusing on the 4.5 GHz band as they race to launch 5G in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Japanese government launched a public consultation last September on restructuring frequency allocations in the country.

France to press ahead with 4G and 5G plans 31 January 2018 France is forging ahead on 4G and 5G rollout, with the regulator making spectrum available in the 3.4-3.8 GHz and 26 GHz bands for 5G trials, and the government unveiling plans to raise money for better rural 4G coverage from extended spectrum licences. UK is too harsh on mobile operators over coverage, says former minister 30 January 2018 Some in the mobile industry agree, claiming that the 700 MHz band will not be the game changer government departments envisage. Connectivity issues facing trains, rural and remote areas and the emergency services should all be brought under the remit of a single department, says Ed Vaizey. Japanese spectrum contest could herald a break with past policy 29 January 2018 Japan is deciding how to award frequencies in the 1.7 GHz and 3.4 GHz bands, a process that could pave the way for a disruptive newcomer and a significant change in the country’s approach to spectrum assignment.

UAE makes spectrum available for 5G 26 January 2018 The L-band, C-band and 26 GHz band are to be used in early 5G deployments in the United Arab Emirates.