As panellists reflected on WRC-23, discussion also looked ahead at the implications of satellite connectivity and the launch of 6G for spectrum management
Spectrum sharing dominates present debates and future research
On 15 February 2024, techUK’s UK Spectrum Policy Forum hosted the Future Spectrum Policy Summit to discuss near-term policy considerations for spectrum management in the UK and around the world. The event featured perspectives from the mobile, Wi-Fi, satellite and broadcast industries, as well as presentations from academics on emerging technological solutions for more efficient spectrum management. Across all panels, the potential of spectrum sharing and its importance to delivering Ofcom’s spectrum management strategy were central to the debate. In particular, the forthcoming assignment of the upper 6GHz band was a focal point for representatives from Ofcom and industry leaders in discussing sharing between mobile and unlicensed uses, including Wi-Fi. Additionally, techniques for managing shared spectrum were discussed at length, including the use of spectrum sensing or an automated frequency coordination (AFC) database, both of which are employed by the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in different shared bands. On the topic of sharing between civilian and military or other government uses, speakers noted the difficulty of coordinating sharing without being able to know of the nature of the military use of the spectrum, although some militaries, including the US and UK, were referenced as generally cooperative partners in spectrum sharing.
Satellite to take centre stage at WRC-27
Following remarks from Ofcom, UK Government and the EU, the summit opened with a panel discussion of key takeaways from WRC-23 and reflections on the agenda for WRC-27. Satellite industry representatives noted that while non-terrestrial networks (NTN) made up a limited portion of debate at WRC-23, developments particularly in satellite-to-mobile connectivity should bring NTNs to the forefront of the next conference. The readiness of existing handsets and the potential development of new devices compatible with satellite connectivity remain works in progress, however. Speakers also noted the important role that NTNs can play in monitoring and processing data on weather conditions and net zero emissions targets through space-based AI applications. Each of these priorities, however, requires the allocation of spectrum for satellite uses – something that WRC-27 is poised to consider.
The race towards 6G is on
As countries around the world prepare for 6G with the ITU’s International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) 2030 Framework, discussions also included the standards development work needed to be done to meet the ITU’s goal of 6G readiness by 2030. Panellists noted that among the tensions of closed-door meetings and heightened geopolitics at WRC-23, additional countries such as India have accelerated their efforts to become leaders in the preparation for and deployment of 6G technologies. With the identification of three bands for study for use in 6G at WRC-27, participants also applauded the work that the UK is doing now to proactively contribute to international standards processes moving forward. Unsurprisingly, advocates for the Wi-Fi industry questioned the efficiency of 6G, both in terms of its environmental impact and its capacity to power emerging technologies like virtual reality, as compared to Wi-Fi connectivity. Discussions also left open the question of whether 6G use cases will differ substantially from those enabled by 5G, suggesting that the next five years will bring continued debate over the future of connectivity worldwide.
