The Federal Council is taking a cautious approach to the release of mmWave for 5G amid concerns around health risks and uncertain demand
Unease surrounding the health effects of mmWave causes a hold up
On 22 November 2023, Switzerland’s Federal Council issued a report on its intended use of mmWave spectrum for 5G services. Across a growing number of markets, governments and regulators are looking to mmWave (particularly between 26GHz-100GHz) to support the transmission of large data volumes at high speeds, particularly in urban areas. This frequency range is not currently used in Switzerland for mobile technologies, but it has been employed for many years for microwave links and in road traffic safety systems. According to the Federal Council, “special” infrastructure would be required for mmWave given its propagation is significantly impacted by buildings, trees and some atmospheric conditions. However, certain cantons (Geneva, Jura and Neuhâtel) have urged the Federal Council to pause the release of mmWave spectrum for 5G, citing public concerns about the environmental and health risks the range may pose.
Spectrum award will not happen without the necessary legal frameworks
Across Switzerland and Europe, research into the effects of both mmWave and non-ionising radiation on humans are underway, with the findings due to guide future environmental legislation. Without these legal bases, the Federal Council has stated that it will not authorise mmWave for telecoms use. The Federal Council has also indicated that it is looking for increased demand from the market before awarding the spectrum. As device usage and data consumption surge, high bandwidth mmWave offers a solution for urban areas with a high density of connections. However, the spectrum’s limited range and ability to penetrate buildings requires a dense network of infrastructure, which involves significant costs and intricate planning. The Federal Council is therefore seeking further evidence on the economic benefits of mmWave. Any future spectrum award will involve consulting stakeholders and then collaborating with the cantons to effectively manage the implementation process.
Other countries are pressing ahead with mmWave
Switzerland’s cautious approach to the release of mmWave frequencies could be a strategic move to avoid a repeat of the revocation of 28GHz spectrum licences seen in South Korea. Here, the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) stated that the lack of infrastructure investment and compatible devices led to this decision, with operators failing to reach their mandated base station deployment target. In contrast, mmWave deployments are considerably more advanced in the US, with multiple operators offering 5G coverage to their customers using this range. In the UK, Ofcom intends to open up access to 26GHz and 40GHz frequencies for mobile users, primarily focusing on densely populated areas, and is currently reviewing the most effective methods to award citywide licences. Amid a maturing device and technology ecosystem, it seems that momentum behind mmWave deployment is building, with further auctions set to take place in 2024.
