Launched in 2012, the original Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP) was instrumental in shaping EU communications policy and setting the direction for the development of 4G networks across the continent. As we now move into the 5G era, the European Commission is working on delivering a new forward-looking spectrum roadmap for Europe, setting a path and plan for how spectrum can best support broader European policy priorities up until 2030 eg the Green Deal and the Digital Decade. At the European 5G Conference (held in February this year) a discussion on the new RSPP was held at a time when the RSPG had just released their draft opinion on the issue. Now 6 months, and following a public consultation, the final RSPG opinion is due to be released in June 2021 (at around the time of this conference). This session will provide an opportunity to look at the key findings and recommendations included in the opinion, and more broadly discuss the key priorities of the RSPP. How can it build on existing spectrum policy and deliver a futureproof spectrum policy environment that contributes to wider European political goals?

• What lessons can be learnt from previous RSPP? How has the spectrum landscape changed since then?
• In what ways are the structure and processes of the new roadmap likely to be similar to the previous package, and where could there be differences?
• What are the key recommendations set out in the RSPG Opinion on the new RSPP?
• How can it be ensured that the roadmap contributes to forward looking and futureproof spectrum frameworks that provides co-ordination, flexibility and choice, and delivers secure and resilient networks?
• How should access of spectrum for vertical sectors be handled within the context of the new guidelines?
• How work is being done to consider the role of sharing in a future spectrum roadmap, and in identifying new spectrum for advanced technologies beyond IMT?
• To what extent is there a need to re-examine spectrum governance models that are used in Europe, specifically relating to spectrum assignments and the ‘peer review’ system?
• One of the key objectives of the RSPP is expected to be around the release of additional spectrum below 100GHz to promote innovative wireless services. How much spectrum should realistically be targeted to be made available and what timeframes should be set?
• How can environment and societal issues be best built-in to the new roadmap, and how can the roadmap help ensure that spectrum policy contributes to and is aligned with the new political targets of ‘the green deal’ and ‘the digital decade’?

As they look to meet the many varied connectivity requirements of different vertical industries, regulators are increasingly moving away from the traditional model of solely allocating spectrum to MNOs, and instead looking at the option of providing access directly to these end-users, enabling them to develop their own private, localised networks. A range of different approaches are being seen for this, including the provision of dedicated spectrum to verticals and adding licence conditions to facilitate secondary licencing. A number of different frequency bands are also being used (for example the 3.7-3.8GHz in Germany, the 3.8-4.2GHz in the UK, the 2.6GHz band in France). These varied approaches have led to concerns of fragmentation across Europe. With attention now moving towards mmWave frequencies alongside mid-range bands to deliver vertical connectivity, this session will look at the current approaches that are being seen and the extent to which there is a need for increased co-ordination across member states. With this shift away from the traditional model of networks being solely operated by MNOs, it will also look at the impact that this may have on business models and relationships between MNOs and vertical users, and at the potential for new partnerships to develop for the benefit of all.

• What different models and approaches to delivering vertical connectivity are being seen across Europe, and what bands are being used?
• How can governments and regulators develop spectrum policies that deliver vertical connectivity in the most efficient and reliable way possible, ensuring flexibility whilst avoiding the possible pit-falls of underutilisation and fragmentation?
• To what extent is there a need for a more co-ordinated approach with the models and frequency bands being seen across member states, and where does the balance lie between a co-ordinated European approach and decisions taken at a member state level?
• Is there still the potential to deliver a harmonized frequency band for private/ vertical usage within the mid-band range across Europe, or are we too late given the many different approaches that are being seen?
• As attention moves to mmWave frequencies, how could a more co-ordinated approach be achieved here (both within Europe and globally) and what benefits would this provide?
• What bands offer the best options for this? Could the 26GHz or 40GHz play a part?
• What role can unlicenced spectrum play in helping to meet the needs for vertical connectivity?
• To what extent can the emergence of private local networks provide a new business case for MNOs – not providing connectivity but the services to run the networks?
• What benefits can collaboration in this way bring for verticals in terms of quality and reliability of service?

Spectrum is of course a finite resource and is hugely sought after. The majority of bands have generally already been allocated, and with the shift to 5G and next generation services, demand and usage is only going to increase. Given this continual ‘squeeze’ on available bandwidth, the only plausible way that these increasing needs are going to be met is through a flexible spectrum ecosystem that integrates sharing technologies and increases spectrum efficiency and density. This session will look at the future, and at the emerging new technological and policy tools that can help deliver this. It will also look more broadly at the traditional spectrum regulatory regime and discuss whether it is sufficiently flexible to meet the requirements of an innovative and fast-moving sector, and ultimately at the best way forward to maximise efficiency and ensure fair and sustainable use of the radio spectrum for all.

• What policy and technological innovations are being seen that can help to increase spectrum efficiency?
• What new methods and techniques of spectrum sharing are emerging both in Europe and elsewhere? How can these be best harnessed to increase efficiency and protect the rights of all users?
• What role can sharing models using database authorisation play, and why have mechanisms of this kind been seen less in Europe than in the US to date?
• Where is technology taking us and what does the future hold? How can technological advancements in areas such as AI and edge computing be harnessed to enable us to use spectrum more efficiently and meet future needs?
• What new policy and regulatory tools can be employed to help increase efficiency? Is there an argument for the introduction of ‘use it or share it’ policies?
• Should there be a shift in approach from looking to always identify new spectrum, to instead looking at the role of technology and policy tools to increase the efficiency of bands that are already allocated?
• What efficiency gains can 5G bring with new technologies such as active antennas?
• Looking to the future, what is the ‘next big thing’ that is likely to deliver more efficient use of spectrum?

The European Commission recently announced a study for a new flagship project to send hundreds of internet-beaming satellites into orbit in order to deliver an EU constellation that can provide secure high-speed connectivity for everyone in Europe based on quantum encryption. This EU initiative coincides with a booming private sector push into space with companies such as OneWeb, SpaceX and Amazon all working on similar projects. With this emergence of a rapidly increasing number of NGSO and SmallSat networks alongside more traditional GSO networks, it is estimated that more satellites will be launched in the next 2-3 years than in the last 50 years combined. Alongside the exciting new opportunities that this will bring, it also presents regulatory challenges, including with regards to licencing rules and frameworks. This session will look at this in more detail. It will explore the potential of the proposed EU constellation and other systems, and discuss the best way forward to ensure a future-proof and flexible licencing system to deliver the next generation of space based connectivity.

• What licencing models and rules currently guide access to spectrum for satellite systems? With the current framework designed for GSO satellite networks, are they still appropriate for more complex NGSO systems?
• Is a first come, first served (FCFS) licensing procedure still appropriate in this rapidly evolving and fast moving sector?
• To what extent is there a need for increased co-ordination of licencing at a European level, and possibly even the introduction of consolidated or collective licencing? How could this work in practice?
• As we look to develop future licencing models, what lessons can be taken from previous experience (for example the authorization regime governing mobile and satellite service in the 2GHz band)?
• How can LEO and GEO operators come together and work alongside the mobile industry and other key stakeholders to deliver a secure space-based broadband network to reach hard-to-connect areas and help to power critical services such as connected vehicles?
• Is there still a place for a European constellation after current and planned massive deployment, eg. Starlink? What options are still available to Europe in terms of ITU filings for this constellation?
• To what extent can quantum computing and other technologies be integrated into such a system to deliver the secure and resilient connectivity required by the most critical infrastructure?

As part of the Lamy report in 2014, priority in the sub-700Mhz band in Europe was given to terrestrial broadcasters until at least 2030. At the same time however, this ws balanced with the opportunity for each Member States to take a more flexible approach to alternative spectrum use in the band according to quite varied levels of digital terrestrial television (DTT) take-up across member states. Taking this into account and also considering the review of the 470-960 MHz in region 1 that will take place at WRC-23, this session will look at the long-term future of the sub-700MHz band upto 2030 and beyond. It will examine extent to which a co-ordinated European approach can be developed that also takes into account these national differences. It will look at the extent to which 5G and/or other services can be introduced into the band prior to 2030 without affecting DTT services, and longer term, at the likely future of the band beyond 2030 both in Europe and beyond.

• How much UHF spectrum is required by different services (for example broadcasters, mobile, PMSE) in the medium and longer term? How can the needs of all users in the band best be balanced?
• To what extent can the national differences that are seen regarding the use of the sub-700MHz band be best handled within a co-ordinated European approach to the band?
• Are there any actions that member states in which the sub-700MHz band is not heavily used by broadcasters can take ahead of 2030, that will allow access to mobile services without disrupting the use of the band for terrestrial broadcasters?
• Could this happen under the current framework and rules that are in place, or is there an argument to explore a modification in some way?
• With a review of the usage and needs within the 470-960 MHz UHF band in Region 1 on the agenda for WRC-23, how may this affect the approach taken by member states? How does this fit with the commitments made as part of the Lamy report?
• What roadmap is in place for the development and adaptation of the required equipment for mobile broadband services in the UHF band, and what might this mean for the future bandplan?
• To what extent will the emergence of 5G and advanced broadcast standards lead to increased coordination and convergence between broadcast and mobile services, and what impact could this have on the future use of UHF spectrum?
• Beyond 2030, where does the long-term future of the sub-700MHz band lie both in Europe and around the rest of the world?

A decision has been taken in Europe to open up lower portion of the 6GHz band (5925-6425 MHz) for licence-exempt / WiFi use, with low power indoor (LPI) and very low power (VLP) unlicensed uses of the band now authorised. This session will look at the next steps, at the new use cases that are going to be enabled within the band. It will also examine the measures that have been put in place to protect incumbent users in the band as well as those in adjacent bands, and compare the
approach in Europe to those in other regions around the world – for example in the US where standard power devices are permitted, under the control of an Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) system.

● What is classified as low power indoor (LPI) and very low power (VLP) unlicensed uses of the band, and what new innovative applications could this help facilitate?
● What measures have been put in place to protect incumbent (satellite and fixed links) users in the band, and also users in adjacent bands (for example intelligent transport systems in the 5.9GHz band)?
● Are these measures sufficient to fully ensure that any harmful interference is avoided?
● How does the approach to opening up the band in Europe differ from that in the US, and what measures to protecting against interference are being seen there?

The 6Ghz band continues to be one of the most sort-after frequency ranges for a number of key stakeholders. It is currently used around the world by satellite and microwave systems, but both unlicensed and licensed services deem access to spectrum in the band as critical. In Europe, a decision is expected in April 2021 to grant access in the lower portion of the band (5925-6425 MHz) for licence-exempt / WiFi use. However, the future of the upper portion of the band (6425-7125 MHz) is still being hotly contested. ITU-R has started its preparatory work towards WRC-23 Agenda Item 1.2 (AI 1.2) assessing the feasibility of allocating it for IMT, with technical parameters and channel modelling are expected to be completed at around the time of this conference. This session will focus specifically on this 6425-7125 MHz upper portion of the band, looking both at current thinking and positions, and at the likely long-term future in Europe.

• Where does the balance lie between licenced and licence-exempt use of the 6Ghz spectrum and to what extent should decisions in the lower portion of the band affect the way that the upper portion is handled?
• What work is being done by CEPT and the Commission to develop a harmonised EU approach in the band, and to prepare for the discussions at WRC-23?
• What progress has been made in the work being done on technical parameters and channel modelling ahead of WRC-23?
• Which sharing model, e.g. licenced shared access, could protect licenced users and unlicenced users in the upper 6GHz band ? How could the protection of satellite be managed in practice, taking into account RR obligations?
• Is it so important for satellite operators to access to the whole uplink C band (5925-7075 MHz) over Europe, since the downlink C band shrank to 3.8-4.2 GHz in Europe? Is the access to 3.8-4.2 GHz more crucial?

Allocation of spectrum and roll-out of 5g service in the mmWave frequencies has to date been a little slower than many predicted. With only a few exceptions, the vast majority of 5G launches to date in Europe and globally have relied on mid-band spectrum. 2020 however did see the rollout of 5G mmWave networks in a number of different countries (including Japan, US and South Africa), and mobile players are suggesting that this, coupled with mmWave spectrum now becoming more widely available in a number of other countries, shows evidence of increased scale and growth and overall market readiness for 5G in these high capacity frequencies. This session will look at the extent to which this is actually the case, and more broadly at the continued evolution of 5G and other technologies and services in the mmWave frequencies and at the ecosystem that is starting to emerge. It will examine the economic viability of different use cases and solutions, and look at the best way forward to maximise the potential of these high-capacity frequencies for benefit of all.

• What is the latest status regarding mmWave 5G spectrum licencing and network deployment both across Europe and elsewhere?
• What authorisation and regulatory models have been seen?
• What is the scope for vertical users in the mmWave ecosystem, and how can their varied needs be best addressed?
• Where are we with regards to the availability of mmWave equipment and devices, and to what extent is the 5G mmWave ecosystem now market ready and economically viable?
• What different usage scenarios are available for 5G solutions in mmWave bands?
• With some member states saying that they are seeing a perceived lack of demand for spectrum in the 26GHz band, to what extent could some of these emerging use cases such as fixed wireless access or indoor / private networks provide a solution for this?
• What impact could this possible lack of interest in the 26GHz band mean for plans for subsequent bands set to be released, for example the 40GHz and 60GHz bands?
• What challenges to roll-out of 5G services in mmWave frequencies still exist, and how can these be overcome?
• How is the satellite and non-terrestrial ecosystem within the mmWave frequencies developing, and to what extent can mmWave spectrum help the continued development of non-terrestrial 5G?

Preparation for WRC-23 is now well underway in both Europe and around the rest of the world, with a number of key issues already emerging (for example the C-band, the 6GHz band and the revision of the UHF band, all of which were discussed in detail yesterday). This session will start by looking at where we are with the preparation and studies, but then will start to look a little further forward, beyond 2023, and to what comes next. WRC-27 is set to be crucial in setting the early frequency bands to be examined for the early roll-out of IMT-2030 / 6G. This session will take an early look on what might be the future agenda items and candidate bands that are likely to be seen. With the demand for additional spectrum only likely to increase, where is the additional bandwidth going to come from?

3 sessions with 3 speakers in each, and each 40 mins long. Each roundtable will be released afterwards as a podcast as part of ‘Across the Spectrum’ –  the podcast series linked to GSS conferences.

• What are the new exposure guidelines from ICNIRP? What impact can these have on both helping to ensure consumer safety and confidence in 5G?
• What has 5G changed in terms of EMF, e.g. with active antenna and new mmWave band; and what have been the impacts in terms of both EMF limits and of public confidence?
• How can the misinformation that has been circulating relating to EMF around 5G be best tackled?
• Should we improve transparency on effective exposure from base stations and specific absorption rate (SAR) from terminals?
• Is there a need for a more coordinated approach and increased sharing of information between member states on EMS, including about limits?
• As we move beyond 5G and start exploring the use of spectrum frequencies that have previously been thought of as being on the edge of the usable spectrum range (for example above 95GHz), what impact may this have on how exposure guidelines need to be adapted?

• What are the different categories of Unmanned Aerial Systems or ‘drones’ that are being seen, and to what extent can their connectivity needs be met by traditional cellular network infrastructure and spectrum assets that have been used for terrestrial services?
• What work is being done on the development of a European regulatory framework for drone operations and ‘flight rights’, and what impact might this have on existing spectrum frameworks and telco business models?
• What is the current situation regarding access to spectrum for drones across Europe and globally?
• What bands and allocation systems are being seen, and to what extent should a licenced, unlicenced or shared approach be used?
• Is there a need for increased co-ordination at a European level and how could this work in practice?
• Is there a need for dedicated spectrum to be allocated to drones providing commercial and other mission critical services?

• What potential does Fixed Wireless Access have in offering a solution to deliver ‘last mile connectivity’ at a reasonable price as a substitute for fibre?
• What spectrum requirements would be necessary, and what bands provide an option to deliver this? Is there a need for specific frequency bands to be dedicated for FWA?
• What examples of FWA are being seen elsewhere around the world?
• What are the longer-term prospects of FWA as we move beyond 2025, and towards future targets of gigabit speed connectivity?