Implementing decision 2019/785 - Harmonisation of radio spectrum for equipment using ultra-wideband technology in the Union and repealing Decision 2007/131/EC (notified under document C(2019) 3461) - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 127/23

Commission Decision 2007/131/EC (2) harmonises the technical conditions for spectrum use by radio equipment based on ultra-wideband (‘UWB’) technology in the Union. It ensures that radio spectrum is available across the Union under harmonised conditions, eliminates barriers to the take-up of UWB technology and aims at creating an effective single market for UWB systems with significant economies of scale and benefits to the consumer.

Although ultra-wideband signals are typically of extremely low power, the possibility of harmful interference with existing radiocommunication services exists and needs to be managed. Therefore, this Decision on the harmonisation of radio spectrum for UWB equipment should avoid harmful interference (including where this might arise from access to the radio spectrum by radio astronomy, earth exploration satellite and space research systems) and balance the incumbent services' interests against the overall policy objective of providing favourable conditions for the introduction of innovative technologies for the benefit of society.

On 16 March 2017, the Commission issued a permanent mandate, pursuant to Decision No 676/2002/EC, to the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (‘CEPT’) to identify the technical conditions for the harmonised introduction of radio applications based on UWB technology in the Union in order to provide updated technical conditions for such applications.

In response to that permanent mandate, CEPT adopted a report (3) where it proposed four measures. Firstly, the technical conditions should describe material sensing devices in a more neutral way in order to allow for innovative solutions. Secondly, it should be possible to use the conditions for generic UWB usage also for material sensing applications. Thirdly, there should be a – 65 dBm/MHz limit for all material sensing devices including building material analysis (BMA) in the 8,5-10,6 GHz band. Fourthly, the possibility of a trigger-before-transmit mitigation for vehicular access control systems based on UWB technology should be introduced in the 3,8-4,2 GHz and 6-8,5 GHz frequency bands.

This Decision should support the overall harmonisation of the UWB regulatory framework in order to improve consistency of limits and mitigation techniques between the different UWB regulations and allow for innovative solutions in the field of UWB technology.

This Decision provides for regulatory limits and identifies mitigation techniques to ensure an efficient usage of spectrum while ensuring coexistence with other spectrum users. Technological evolution may provide other solutions that ensure at least an equivalent level of spectrum protection. For this reason, the use of alternative mitigation techniques, such as solutions found in future possible harmonised standards produced by the European Standardisation Organisations, should be allowed provided they ensure at least an equivalent level of performance and spectrum protection and verifiably respect the established technical requirements of this regulatory...