GSMA hails “groundbreaking spectrum selections” from WRC-23
The World Radiocommunications Convention of 2023 (WRC-23) has wrapped up its weekslong assembly in Dubai, rising with a worldwide consensus on harmonization of spectrum bands for cellular companies in addition to rules for high-altitude platform stations and spectrum for evolving satellite tv for pc operations.
John Giusti, chief regulatory officer on the GSMA, stated that the occasion “has supplied a transparent roadmap for cellular companies to proceed to evolve and broaden for the good thing about billions throughout the globe.”
Among the many selections to emerge from WRC-23 have been official harmonization of current bands for 5G within the midband, particularly the three.3-3.4 GHz and three.6-3.8 GHz bands, which the U.S. State Division stated creates “500 megahertz of contiguous cellular broadband spectrum throughout the whole area whereas offering the required interference safety to our federal businesses who additionally use a few of this spectrum.”
The two and a pair of.6 GHz bands emerged as spectrum for assist of high-altitude platform stations as IMT base stations (HIBS), and rules have been established for operations of such tools. “This expertise affords a brand new platform to offer cellular broadband with minimal infrastructure utilizing the identical frequencies and gadgets as IMT cellular networks. HIBS can contribute to bridging the digital divide in distant and rural areas and preserve connectivity throughout disasters,” in accordance with a WRC assertion.
Wi-Fi advocates have been cheering the WRC selections associated to the usage of the higher 6 GHz band. “Whereas deciding to determine the higher 6 GHz spectrum for Worldwide Cellular Telecommunications (IMT) in Europe, Africa and some different international locations, the convention adopted a world treaty provision to explicitly acknowledge that this spectrum is utilized by wi-fi entry techniques akin to Wi-Fi,” Wi-Fi Alliance identified. “Importantly, the WRC-23 rejected proposals to broaden the higher 6 GHz IMT identification to a number of different international locations or to think about such IMT identifications on the subsequent WRC in 2027.”
The GSMA, in the meantime, famous that “international locations representing greater than 60% of the world’s inhabitants [asking] to be included within the identification of this band for licensed cellular at WRC-23,” and it declared that “6 GHz spectrum is now the harmonised house for the growth of cellular capability for 5G-Superior and past.”
“The WRC was not simply weeks of labor in Dubai, but additionally years of preparation by the FCC, consultants throughout the federal government, and our telecommunications business,” stated Federal Communications Fee Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, who attended WRC. “The delegation’s accomplishments will promote innovation in unlicensed spectrum together with Wi-Fi, assist 5G connectivity, pave the best way for 6G, and bolster U.S. management within the rising house economic system. We now look ahead to attending to work on preparations for WRC-27.”
CTIA President and CEO Meredith Attwell Baker stated that CTIA applauded the choice to harmonize new spectrum bands for 5G and past, “notably the essential decrease 3 GHz band and the 7/8 GHz bands.”
She continued: “It’s important that the US takes this chance now to align our home insurance policies with different international locations world wide and set up a pipeline of mid-band spectrum for licensed industrial use in order that we are able to unlock economies of scale, gasoline new sources of development and innovation, and strengthen our affect and future management within the international wi-fi ecosystem. The world is shifting forward, and the US should preserve tempo.”
In the meantime, the EMEA area noticed extra low-band spectrum outlined for cellular use, particularly at 470-694 MHz, to offer a protection layer with higher attain and penetration.
“WRC-23 places the world on a strong path in the direction of a extra linked, sustainable, equitable and inclusive digital future for all,” stated Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU Secretary-Normal. “Key regulatory achievements on spectrum for house, science and terrestrial radio companies construct on the momentum of ITU’s ongoing work to attain common connectivity and sustainable digital transformation.”
Because of discussions at WRC-23, the Worldwide Telecommunications Union additionally has numerous examine objects deliberate, which embody potential new allocations for direct connectivity between house base stations and cellular consumer tools, and potential new allocations or rules on future improvement of low-data-rate, non-geostationary mobile-satellite techniques, additionally known as small satellites.
