The World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19) has identified, on a global basis, a total of 14.75 GHz for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT). IMT refers to a family of mobile broadband technologies incl. 4G and 5G.

The Americas and some other countries of Europe, Middle East and Africa, South Asia and Australia have identified up to 2.5 GHz of IMT spectrum in addition to that.

The IMT systems in the newly identified bands share the spectrum with other radiocommunications services, such as satellite and radio astronomy services, that mostly require global harmonisation rather than regional and bilateral coordination.

In upcoming years, we will witness how this harmonisation will influence national 5G spectrum and allocation plans worldwide.

What is the WRC?

The WRC is held every three to four years. Each conference reviews and revises the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio frequency spectrum, including its use for IMT services.

Revisions are made based on an agenda determined by the ITU Council, which takes into account recommendations made by previous WRCs. The general scope of the agenda of a WRC is established four to six years in advance, with the final agenda set by the ITU Council and member states two years before the conference.

Why is it so important?

A WRC can revise assignment and allocation plans and decide on regional and global harmonisation in the use of radio spectrum. Harmonisation is key to avoid interference and to create economies of scale for radio and terminal equipment and allow the worldwide use of mobile and other devices.

Cullen International published a comprehensive Flash report summarising the main findings of WRC-19 for 5G services.

The report includes detail of the new millimetre wave bands identified for IMT, the opening positions of the six regional groups and the power limits and rules to guarantee coexistence with other services using adjacent spectrum.

To read the full WRC-19 report, please click on “Access the full content” - or on “Request Access”, in case you are not subscribed to our Telecoms intelligence services.