Preiskel & CoPreiskel & Co
Preiskel & Co
A boutique law firm in London
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Diversity, Social Responsibility, and Pro Bono
  • Services
    • Corporate
    • Commercial
    • Regulatory
    • Competition & Antitrust
    • Data Protection, Privacy, and Retention
    • Intellectual Property
    • Dispute Resolution
    • Employment
  • Sectors
    • Telecommunications
    • IT, Technology, & Internet
    • Media and Broadcasting
    • Websites, Blogging, & Social Media
    • Film & Television
    • Gambling & Online Gaming
    • Leisure & Retail
    • Energy & Minerals
    • Cryptocurrency & Blockchain
    • Creative Industries
  • People
    • Daniel Preiskel
    • Ronnie Preiskel
    • Tim Cowen
    • Jose Saras
    • Robert Dougans
    • Karthyaeni Vittala
    • Tina Cowen
    • Xavier Prida
    • Martina Raciti
    • Ewelina James
    • Rachael Machado
    • Maria Constantin
    • Peter Dally
    • Richard Stewart
    • Joanna Coombs-Huang
    • Paul Stelges
    • Hannah Leader
    • Alison MacFarlane
    • Ilanit Appelfeld
    • Daniel Oakland
    • Sophia Yakhno
    • Sue Warwick
    • D A T Green
    • Antony Corel
    • Stewart White
    • Mor Swiel
    • Stephen Hornsby
    • Tony Curzon-Price
    • Robert Harvey
    • Shardi Shameli
  • International
  • Blog
  • News
    • Publications
  • Contact
Menu back  

World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) News: ITU identifies new bands for 5G, procedures for LEO satellite operators

November 26, 2019By Daniel Preiskel

World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) News: ITU identifies new bands for 5G, procedures for LEO satellite operators

According to telecompaper news, about 3,400 delegates from 165 member states have signed the International Telecommunication Union’s Radio Regulations’ Final Acts, the international treaty governing the global use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits. The signatures were given during the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19) at Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh , now concluded. The biggest takeaway from the conference was the identification of more frequency bands for 5G and the establishment of regulatory procedures for mega constellations of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

5G bands

The conference identified additional globally harmonised (millimetre wave) frequency bands for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), including IMT-2020, otherwise known as 5G mobile. Specifically, additional bands for IMT were identified in the 24.25-27.5 GHz, 37-43.5 GHz, 45.5-47 GHz, 47.2-48.2 and 66-71 GHz bands. This will make is easier to develop enhanced mobile broadband, massive machine-type communications and ultra-reliable and low-latency communications.

The ITU said the move will also unlock a host of applications facilitating Intelligent Transport Systems, creating smart cities and making communities more sustainable while allowing for effective climate action, improved health care, sustainable agricultural practices, and greater energy efficiency.

Procedures for LEO constellations

Regulatory procedures were also established for non-geostationary satellite constellations in the fixed-satellite service, opening the skies to next-generation communication capabilities such as mega-constellations of LEO satellites. These can provide connectivity for remote sensing, space and upper atmosphere research, meteorology, astronomy, technology demonstration and education.

Protection of earth-exploration satellite service and radio astronomy stations

Protections were also accorded to the Earth-exploration satellite service (EESS) as well as meteorological and other passive services in adjacent bands, such as the space research service (SRS). to ensure that space-based monitoring of the earth and its atmosphere remain unhindered. Satellite services supporting meteorology and climatology that aim to safeguard human life and natural resources will be protected from harmful radio-frequency interference, as will systems used by radio astronomers for deep space exploration. Steps were also taken to ensure that radio astronomy stations would be protected from any harmful radio interference from other space stations or satellite systems in orbit.

More bands for High Altitude Platform Systems

The conference also introduced regulatory changes for a rational, efficient and economical use of radio frequencies and associated orbits, including the geostationary-satellite orbit. The conference identified additional frequency bands for High Altitude Platform Systems, radios on aerial platforms hovering in the stratosphere, for telecommunications within a wide coverage area below for affordable broadband access in rural and remote areas.

Wi-Fi without interference

Regarding Wi-Fi networks, WRC-19 revised regulatory provisions to accommodate both indoor and outdoor internet use, and the growth in demand for wireless access systems, including RLANs for end-user radio connections to public or private core networks, such as Wi-Fi, while limiting their interference into existing satellite services.

Looking at railway radiocommunication systems between train and trackside (RSTT), the conference approved a resolution to facilitate the deployment of railway train and trackside systems. This will help meet the needs of a high-speed railway environment in particular for train radio applications for improved railway traffic control, passenger safety and security for train operations. ·

Considering intelligent transport systems (ITS) the ITU approved standards to ICTs in evolving Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) to connect vehicles, improve traffic management and assist in safer driving.

BSS spectrum for developing countries

The conference also provided a priority mechanism for developing countries to regain access to spectrum orbit resources for broadcasting-satellite service (BSS).

Finally, the conference expanded coverage and enhanced the capabilities of the world’s Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

Vision 2023

Looking ahead in its ​Vision 2023, the ITU will look to define and modernise conditions and for earth stations, high-altitude IMT base stations (HIBS) and aeronautical mobile applications and continue to develop the GMDSS system.

Latest Preiskel & Co blog posts
  • CMA AI Report: The Foundation of the UK’s AI Response
    September 21, 2023
  • Navigating Health Data Compliance: A Roadmap for Employers
    September 21, 2023
  • Transatlantic convergence? Recent cases on advertising and privacy from the USA and UK
    September 15, 2023
  • Practical Guide – Net Neutrality in the UK
    September 14, 2023
  • Virgin succeeded in defending a claim by EE for loss of EE’s profits caused by Virgin’s breach of the MVNO Exclusivity Clause
    September 12, 2023
  • Getting out of a (data) scrape: global statement published for the protection of publicly accessible personal data online
    September 8, 2023
  • The dark side of design: the ICO and CMA call for businesses to rethink their website layouts
    August 18, 2023
  • Could the Supreme Court’s ruling on litigation funding agreements cause havoc for litigation funders?
    August 17, 2023
  • US Threats of a ‘Te(ch)xodus’ from the UK?
    August 17, 2023
  • Smoother Sailing for EU-US Data Transfers after GDPR Adequacy Decision
    August 4, 2023
  • Unlocking Data Flows: EU-US Data Privacy Framework Receives Adequacy Decision
    July 13, 2023
  • UK’s World Leading Approach on Artificial Intelligence – White Paper outlines 5 guideline principles for responsible use of AI
    July 5, 2023

The Preiskel Blog

  • CMA AI Report: The Foundation of the UK’s AI Response 21 Sep 2023
  • Navigating Health Data Compliance: A Roadmap for Employers 21 Sep 2023
  • Transatlantic convergence? Recent cases on advertising and privacy from the USA and UK 15 Sep 2023
  • Practical Guide – Net Neutrality in the UK 14 Sep 2023

Preiskel news

  • Tim Cowen, Chair of Antitrust Practice, Preiskel & Co, quoted in The Times
  • Practical Guide – Net Neutrality in the UK
  • Danny Preiskel featured in GCCM Magazine (June/July 2023 issue 55)  
  • Danny Preiskel moderating a panel at the MEF Connects – The Future of Fraud Prevention event (5th September 2023, hybrid)
Preiskel & Co LLP
4 King's Bench Walk,
Temple,
London
EC4Y 7DL
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 20 7332 5640
Email: info@preiskel.com

Find us on:

TwitterLinkedinMail
© Preiskel & Co LLP 2023 | Site map | Legal notices | Cookie Policy | Privacy