Key ITU WRC-15 Spectrum Decisions

World Radiocommunication Conference 2015

World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 Decides Satellite Spectrum is Central to Future Vision for Global Connectivity | Business Wire
Among the key decisions made during WRC [Newsroom: WRC-15 and RA-15] are the following:

• L-band: 
• WRC-15 avoided identification of the L-band spectrum, which is used by mobile satellite service operators around the world, for IMT— International Mobile Telecommunication system. 
• The Conference identified the band 1427-1518 MHz for IMT, requesting the ITU-R to determine the technical measures to ensure compatibility with the mobile-satellite service operations in the adjacent band (1518-1559 MHz).
• C-band: 
• WRC-15 reconfirmed the need to protect critical fixed-satellite service (FSS) services throughout the world in this unique band. 
• The lower 200 MHz of the C-band downlink frequencies (3400-3600 MHz) were identified for IMT in ITU Regions 1 and 2; In Region 3 a handful of countries will sign a footnote allowing potential IMT use of these 200 MHz, while the vast majority of the region will continue satellite use of this band with no change. 
• A position of “No Change” was adopted in the band 3600-4200 MHz, and only in Region 2 was a footnote agreed which identified IMT for a few countries in the 3600-3700 MHz band. 
• A “No Change” decision means that administrations have recognised the vital and widespread use of those frequency bands by satellite services. 
• Anywhere that IMT is deployed, it will be subject to adherence to strict protection requirements with neighbouring countries. 
• In addition, the Conference declined to consider a proposal for IMT systems in the C-band uplink frequencies (5925-6425 MHz).
• Ku-band: 
• In order to address a spectrum imbalance in Ku-band spectrum, WRC-15 identified additional spectrum for FSS systems between 10-17 GHz. 
• A downlink allocation in the 13.4-13.65 GHz band in Region 1 (EMEA) was approved by the Conference. 
• In addition, an allocation in the 14.5-14.8 GHz was approved in several countries around the world.
• Future bands for 5G: 
• The Conference decided that no globally harmonised bands for the fixed satellite service, mobile-satellite service and broadcast-satellite service in C, Ku or Ka band would be included in the scope of a new WRC-19 agenda item, which aims to identify new frequency bands for future IMT/ 5G use. 
• Throughout the deliberations, multiple administrations in every world region expressed strong opposition to studying the Ka band for IMT/5G, again confirming the Conference’s confidence in satellite being a key player in the future digital eco-system.
• ESIMs: 
• The Conference adopted new regulations to facilitate the operation of “Earth Stations in Motion” (ESIMs) in part of the Ka-band satellite spectrum (19.7-20.2 GHz and 29.5-30 GHz). 
• ESIMs operating in this band provide satellite broadband connectivity to mobile terminals, such as on ships and aircraft. 
• The new regulations adopted by WRC-15 will facilitate the global roaming of such terminals, while protecting other services and applications from interference.
• Other: WRC-15 adopted several agenda items for future conferences that will spur growth in the satellite industry. 
• Studies were approved for WRC-19 for additional FSS spectrum in 51.4-52.4 GHz. 
• In addition, the conference adopted a future agenda item for WRC-23 for additional satellite spectrum in the 37.5-39.5 GHz. 
• Also, in a hotly contested debate, the Conference adopted a Resolution which sets the path towards allowing the use of FSS links for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

• Frequency bandwidth doubled for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites - Military Embedded Systems
• PARIS. New frequency bandwidths have been allocated for Earth Observation Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems that will allow for better image resolution quality in color for future SAR satellites. It now doubles the actual 600 Megahertz to reach 1.200 Megahertz. The decision comes after four years of preparation and several weeks of discussions prior to the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC 2015) in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Officials say the next generation of SAR satellites will be able to offer 25cm resolution imagery and quad polarimetry data. This will allow users to collect more accurate information on land or sea and be able to detect smaller vessel and suspicious activities. Environmental applications also apply.

Spectrum decisions at WRC-15, a step towards the Networked Society
Following the conclusion of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15), Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) acknowledges the decision to make additional spectrum available for mobile broadband as a step towards achieving the full potential of a Networked Society.
Held in Geneva, Switzerland, between November 2 and November 27, 2015, the WRC-15, representing regulators from around the world, reached agreement and identified new spectrum for mobile communications for international mobile telecommunications (IMT), which is the collective term for 3G, 4G and 5G.

• A decision was reached to make the L-Band (1427 – 1518MHz) and part of the C-Band (3.4 – 3.6GHz) are available for mobile broadband on a global basis.
• The 700MHz band (694 – 790MHz) is now also globally harmonized following the initial decisions made at WRC-12 and the follow-up action at WRC-15 for its use in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
• Additional spectrum is identified in some countries in the frequency bands 470 – 694/698MHz, 3.3-3.4GHz, 3.6-3.7GHz and 4.8 – 4.99GHz.
• Spectrum at higher frequencies in the range from 24.25GHz up to 86GHz will be subject to study work for 5G (IMT-2020) usage in ITU, providing one of the cornerstones for future 5G services.

Groups Welcome WRC-15 Spectrum Decisions | EE Times
As predicted in a previous post there was lively interest in and a surprisingly high level of agreement in deliberations around the fate of the 700MHz and sub-700 MHz bands.
“The outcome was as satisfactory as we could have expected as regards more spectrum for mobile broadband, while keeping broadcasters satisfied. There was a lot of pressure on them not to yield,” Mike Goddard, International Spectrum Policy Adviser for consultancy Real Wireless told EE Times.
Goddard was for long CEO of the UK’s Radio Communications Agency and also led the UK delegation to the WRC between 1987 and 2007. “As usual, a lot of decisions were left to the last moment, with delegations reluctant to give way on some key decisions, and it got a bit crazy in the end, but overall, I would say it was a successful WRC, with very important conclusions and a clear and ambitious view of the topics we need to address at WRC 2019,” said Goddard.
In addition to confirming the use of the 700 MHz band (technically 694 to 790 MHz) for mobile broadband services in ITU Region 1, which includes Europe, Africa, the Middle east and Central Asia, delegates also agreed to harmonize 200 MHz of the C-band (3.4 to 3.6 GHz) to improve capacity in urban areas and used in small cells, and the L-band (1427-1518 MHz) to improve overall coverage and better capacity.
However, despite intense lobbying from mobile broadband groups, delegates from some 150 countries decided against opening up more sub-700 MHz spectrum to the sector, ensuring that UHF spectrum (470 MHz to 690 MHz) will remain exclusively allocated to terrestrial TV services in Region1, for at least a decade. Delegates decided to review the use of these bands not at the next WRC, but the one planned for 2023.

Related/Background:

• Why the World Radiocommunication Conference Continues to be Relevant Today - viewcontent.cgi
• Microsoft Word - Annex 2_WMO Position on WRC-15 Agenda.docx - 201404_wmo_position_on_wrc_15_agenda.pdf
• IoT Spectrum on WRC-15 Agenda | EE Times 
• ITU towards “IMT for 2020 and beyond”