CPM19-2: CEPT lunchtime seminar on mmWave spectrum for 5G

Monday 25 Feb 2019 |

CPM19-2: CEPT lunchtime seminar on mmWave spectrum for 5G image

“Our vision – A future multi-purpose network that could be used for many versatile applications.” (Mats Öhman, Senior Spectrum Manager, Telia Company)

“We are delivering the ITU’s vision for IMT 2020, all over the world, in field trials happening today. Many of these are based on high-band spectrum: we are rapidly moving forward with mmWave applications.” (Sverker Magnusson, Director, Spectrum Standardisation, Ericsson)

“5G seems to be all pervasive and everyone claiming their own success. Behind this, we all know there is a lot of work to ensure it delivers on the promises. To achieve the capacity and latency required, mmWave bands across 26 GHz, 40 GHz and 66 GHz have to be allocated at WRC19. This secures the certainty for product development within the mobile industry and ensures we deliver an amazing user experience.” (Luciana Camargos, Senior Director, Future Spectrum, the GSMA)

The GSMA welcomed delegates from the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) to a lunchtime seminar at CPM19-2 to discuss mmWave spectrum for the future of 5G.

Speakers from the GSMA, Ericsson and Telia Company talked about how the right conditions for high-frequency 5G spectrum at WRC-19 can change how connectivity drives the region forward.

The outcome of WRC-19 will decide how mobile can maximise benefit from mmWaves.  These frequencies are needed to offer the highest performance levels from 5G. Services and applications in areas such as fixed broadband, industrial automation, intelligent transport systems and virtual reality can take advantage of a step-change in data speeds and capacity through millimetre waves.

At the seminar, the GSMA also highlighted findings from its recently published report on the socio-economic benefits of mmWave 5G between 2020 and 2034. The European region will benefit from a $135 billion increase in GDP as a result of mmWave 5G by 2034. This is driven primarily by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. These three countries make similar contributions.

As with other regions, the manufacturing and utilities sector is expected to contribute the largest share (32%) of the overall cumulative GDP contribution.

The mobile industry is asking for the IMT identification of:

  • 26 GHz (24.25-27.5 GHz);
  • 40 GHz (37-43.5 GHz);
  • 66-71 GHz – with flexibility to enable both IMT and non-IMT technologies.

Because of the large amount of spectrum required, 45.5-52.6 GHz must also be considered. IMT identification must also come with conditions that allow mobile operators to make the most of these bands. Optimal technical conditions must be applied to protect other services while unlocking the full potential of 5G.