Implementing decision 2019/784 - Harmonisation of the 24, 25-27, 5 GHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing wireless broadband electronic communications services in the Union (notified under document C(2019) 3450) - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 127/13

The 24,25-27,5 GHz (‘26 GHz’) frequency band is being studied as a candidate band for International Mobile Telecommunications for 2020 and beyond (2) (IMT-2020), which is part of the agenda of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19) (3). IMT-2020 represents the 5G framework of radio standards developed by the Radiocommunication Sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R) based on mobile broadband technology.

According to the ITU Radio Regulations (4), the 25,25-27,5 GHz frequency band is allocated worldwide to the mobile service on a co-primary basis. The 24,25-25,25 GHz frequency band is not allocated to the mobile service in Region 1 of the ITU, which includes the European Union. That does not prevent the Union from using this frequency band for wireless broadband electronic communications services as long as it complies with international and cross-border obligations under the ITU Radio Regulations at its external borders.

The Commission Communication ‘5G for Europe: An Action Plan’ (5) (‘5G action plan’) sets out a coordinated Union approach to the deployment of 5G services as of 2020. The 5G action plan calls for the identification of pioneer frequency bands for the launch of 5G services by the Commission in cooperation with the Member States, taking into account the opinion of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG).

The RSPG has adopted three opinions on a strategic spectrum roadmap for 5G in Europe (6) (‘RSPG Opinions’), in which it identified the 26 GHz frequency band as one pioneer band for 5G and recommended to Member States that they make a sufficiently large portion of that band, e.g. 1 GHz, available for 5G by 2020 in response to market demand.

The 26 GHz frequency band provides high capacity for providing innovative wireless broadband electronic communications services with 5G technology based on small cells (7) and with a block size of 200 MHz. In accordance with the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) (8), Member States must allow the use of at least 1 GHz of the 26 GHz frequency band by 31 December 2020 in order to facilitate 5G rollout, provided that there is clear evidence of market demand and of the absence of significant constraints for migration of existing users or band clearance. The EECC also provides that measures taken by Member States pursuant to that requirement must comply with the harmonised conditions set by technical implementing measures in accordance with the Radio Spectrum Decision.

Portions of the 26 GHz frequency band are used in the Member States for terrestrial fixed wireless connections (‘fixed links’) including backhauling (9). The approach to managing the co-existence between terrestrial wireless broadband electronic communications services, including next-generation or 5G, and fixed links at national level, should allow flexibility for Member States.

The use of the 24,25-26,65 GHz portion of the 26 GHz frequency band for automotive short-range radars should be gradually phased out by 1 January 2022 (10)....