Ofcom identified what it describes as "a preliminary set of bands in different parts of the 6-100 GHz range" that it currently believes offer the best potential for use by 5G networks in the UK and harmonisation of 5G mobile services globally.
The UK regulator, which outlined the bands in a summary of responses to its Call for Input (CFI) on potential 5G bands above 6 GHz, noted that the move does not guarantee that these bands will be adopted in future. It also does not rule out the consideration of other options ahead of the World Radio Communication Conference in 2015 (WRC-15), Ofcom added.
"We will now take forward the bands we have identified in forthcoming international discussions, including the relevant European preparatory meetings for WRC-15 at which the scope of a future WRC-19 agenda item on bands above 6 GHz will be considered," Ofcom said.
Future 5G networks are expected to require the use of frequencies above and below 6 GHz, with bands above that level yet to be allocated for future use by mobile communications.
"On the basis of our work so far, our preliminary view is that the frequency bands 10.125-10.225/ 10.475-10.575 GHz, 31.8-33.4 GHz; 40.5-43.5 GHz; 45.5-48.9 GHz and 66-71 GHz should be considered for study under a focused agenda item on 5G mobile broadband for WRC-19," Ofcom said.
The regulator noted that it had deliberately identified bands in different parts of the 6-100 GHz range in order to allow for the technical uncertainties present at this stage in 5G development.
"We think these bands may be relatively straightforward to make available in the UK compared to other options within the range 6-100 GHz (although the 10 GHz band is likely to be significantly more challenging than higher frequency bands) and could have potential for being harmonised and developed for future 5G use globally," Ofcom said.
For more:
- see this Ofcom document
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