The decision finalises the EU-wide coordination of the pioneer bands (700MHz, 3.6GHz and 26GHz) needed for 5G rollout across EU states.
Background: The European Commission has recently worked to speed up the preparatory work for 5G rollout. The 700MHz band was harmonised as part of the UHF band in 2017; the 3.6GHz band followed in January 2019. The two bands have to be made available by mid-2020 and end-2020, respectively.
Today’s decision: Today was the turn of the 26GHz band, which the EC sees as the last of three ‘pioneer bands’ to enable 5G rollout across all member states. In line with the timeframe set out for the 3.6GHz band, member states will also have to make the 26GHz band available by the end of 2020. The harmonised technical conditions seek to ensure spectrum usage by multiple 5G networks, while mitigating interference risks, and ensuring compatibility with incumbent radio services (such as satellite services) within the 26GHz band and in adjacent bands. The decision will also enable member states to adopt a common approach at the next World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-19) later this year.
The use cases: The availability of 26GHz spectrum for 5G should enable gigabit-speed wireless broadband in Europe. The EC has announced the imminent publication of a report, which shows the first services likely to be deployed in the band will be Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services for high capacity Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), high-definition video communications, virtual, augmented and mixed realities. It is expected that the adoption of this band by 5G operators will initially be focused on congested hot-spots, major transport paths, and industrial sites.
