Implementing decision 2018/661 - Amendment of Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/750 on the harmonisation of the 1452-1492 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Union as regards its extension in the harmonised 1427-1452 MHz and 1492-1517 MHz frequency bands (notified under document C(2018) 2286) - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 110/127

Decision No 243/2012/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) establishes a multiannual radio spectrum policy programme (RSPP) which sets the target of identifying at least 1 200 MHz of spectrum suitable for wireless broadband in the Union by 2015, including spectrum already in use, on the basis of the spectrum inventory.

In its Opinion on strategic challenges facing Europe in addressing the growing spectrum demand for wireless broadband (3) dated 20 February 2013, the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) recommended assessing the 1 427-1 452 MHz frequency band for wireless broadband use after 2015 as an extension of the band 1 452-1 492 MHz. Furthermore, in its opinion the RSPG highlighted challenges in the potential designation of the 1 427-1 452 MHz and 1 492-1 518 MHz frequency bands for wireless broadband, caused by incumbent military use and terrestrial fixed wireless services. The RSPG proposed further consideration of the 1 492-1 518 MHz frequency band dependent on the outcome of the World Radiocommunications Conference in 2015 (WRC-15).

WRC-15 identified the 1 427-1 452 MHz and 1 492-1 518 MHz frequency bands for International Mobile Telecommunications worldwide. In Region 1 of the International Telecommunications Union, including the European Union, those frequency bands, or portions of them respectively, are allocated to the mobile service except the aeronautical mobile service and to the fixed service, and to the space operation service Earth-to-space, on a co-primary basis. In addition, some Member States have designated the frequency band 1 452-1 518 MHz for programme making and special events usage.

On 15 March 2017, pursuant to Article 4(2) of the Radio Spectrum Decision, the Commission gave the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) a mandate to develop harmonised technical conditions in additional frequency bands in the 1,5 GHz frequency range, namely 1 427-1 452 MHz and 1 492-1 518 MHz, in order to promote using them for terrestrial wireless broadband electronic communications services in the Union.

On 16 November 2017, in response to that mandate, CEPT issued its Report 65 (4), which proposes harmonised technical conditions for downlink-only wireless broadband electronic communication services in the 1 427-1 452 MHz and 1 492-1 517 MHz frequency bands, taking into account the Union-wide designation of the 1 452-1 492 MHz frequency band under harmonised technical conditions for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services pursuant to Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/750 (5).

Union-wide designation of the 1 427-1 452 MHz and 1 492-1 517 MHz frequency bands for downlink-only wireless broadband electronic communications services should contribute to achieving the RSPP spectrum target for wireless broadband by adding 50 MHz of spectrum. Downlink-only use is important for addressing data...