The document discusses studies being conducted by various international and national bodies on frequency bands being considered for 5G technologies. The International Telecommunication Union is studying bands between 24.25-86 GHz, and will next meet in spring 2017. The UK supports identifying global bands for 5G and early harmonization of a pioneer band in Europe. Studies are focusing on bands including 3400-3800 MHz, which the UK plans to auction 150 MHz of and consider sharing arrangements for the remainder. Tests can be conducted under non-operational licenses after coordination to prevent interference.

1. Bands under study for 5G
Robert Cooper,
1st September 2016

2. 1
Content
• Activities in ITU-R (WP5D, SG3 and TG5/1)
• UK and CEPT Briefing for WRC-19 Agenda item 1.13
• Activities in RSPG
• 3400 – 3800 MHz in the UK
• Test and development process

3. 2
• WRC-15 initiated studies on frequency bands for advanced 5G technologies
(WRC-19 Agenda item 1.13)
• ITU-R Task Group 5/1 has been established to undertake these studies. There are
specific tasks for WP5D (Spectrum needs and 5G parameters) and SG3
(propagation models) as well as other Working Parties responsible for existing
services (parameters)
Task Group 5/1 will next meet in Spring 2017
Frequency Bands (GHz)
24.25 - 27.50 45.50 - 50.20
31.80 - 33.40 50.40 - 52.60
37.00 - 40.50 66.00 - 76.00
40.50 - 42.50 81.00 - 86.00
42.50 - 43.50
ITU-R Studies above 24 GHz – WRC-19 Agenda item
1.13

4. UK and CEPT Briefing for WRC-19 Agenda item 1.13
• UK Briefing for ECC PT1,WP5D,TG5/1 takes place in IFPG WG1 chaired by Ofcom
• UK supports:
• the identification of global bands for 5G
• the early harmonisation of a pioneer band for 5G in Europe. Studies for this band
should be carried out in a timely manner in order to signal early enough to the
industry the importance of this band as a global harmonized band for IMT-2020.
• studies on the bands under Resolution 238 as part of the WRC-19 preparatory
process.
• ECC PT1 will prepare the European position for WRC-19 Agenda item 1.13. ECC PT1
next meets 19 – 21st September and will review the responses to the questionnaire on
5G bands.
• Any enquiries to Robert Cooper: Robert.Cooper@Ofcom.org.uk (020 7981 3287)
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5. DRAFT RSPG Opinion on spectrum related aspects for
next-generation wireless systems (5G)
• Considers the 3400-3800 MHz band to be the primary band suitable for the introduction
of 5G use in Europe even before 2020.
• 5G will need to be deployed also in bands already harmonised below 1 GHz, including
particularly the 700 MHz band, in order to enable nationwide and indoor 5G coverage.
• There are many frequency bands above 24 GHz which are of potential interest for 5G in
Europe.
• Work above 6 GHz should focus on the frequency bands proposed by Europe, in
particular the bands 24.5-27.5 GHz, 31.8-33.4 GHz and 40.5-43.5 GHz. The RSPG
intends to identify which one of these could be harmonised in Europe for early
implementation.
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6. 3400-3800 MHz band in UK
• 150 MHz within the 3400 – 3600 MHz range will be awarded by auction for use
throughout the whole of the UK under the PSSR programme
• The 3.6-3.8 GHz is a high priority for Ofcom within our Mobile Data Strategy. Spectrum
in this range potentially offers a large amount of contiguous bandwidth. In the UK the
band is used for satellite downlinks, fixed links and 84 MHz is also licensed to UK
Broadband. This band is being considered for potential sharing with incumbent users
• We will issue a consultation on 3.6 – 3.8 GHz in Q3 2016
• Further information on Mobile Data Strategy:
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/mobile-data-strategy/
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7. Test and development/ non–operational licence process
• Those wishing to test, develop, research or demonstrate radio equipment can apply at
http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/non-operational-tech-licence/
• There is no specific spectrum set aside for this purpose. We have a duty to secure the
optimal use of spectrum - for this reason coordination with existing users must be carried
out before we are able to issue a licence. When an application is received the technical
details will be co-ordinated both internally at Ofcom and with other UK spectrum
managers who will conduct assessments on the risk of harmful interference to existing
services. In addition we may need to contact existing licensees or other authorised users
of the spectrum in order to carry out our assessment
• Any enquiries to Gordon Drake: Gordon.Drake@ofcom.org.uk (020 7981 3157)