全球6G与设备直连卫星系统候选频段进展分析及我国频谱研究展望白皮书

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FutureForumWhitePaperonAnalysisofGlobalProgresson6GandD2DCandidateFrequencyBands,andPerspectivesonStudyofChina’s

Spectrum

ABSTRACT

Thiswhitepaperprovidesananalysisofglobalprogressandstrategictrendsinidentifyingcandidatespectrumbandsfor6GandDirect-to-Device(D2D)satelliteconnectivityandproposesourviewsonstudyof6GandD2DspectrumforChina

FutureForumSpectrumWG

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Contents

ExecutiveSummary

4

China5G-Adevelopment

5

GlobalMobileDevelopmentTrends

6

SpectrumisthekeytomakesuremobilenetworktosupportAIapplications

7

BackgroundofFutureForumSpectrumWhitePaper

7

Globalstatusofstudyoncandidatebandsof6G

7

Europe

7

RSPG

7

CEPT/ECClevelofwork

1

0

5.2U.S

1

2

LegislativeandRegulatoryContext

1

2

SpectrumSupplyPipelineObjectives

1

3

UpperCBand(3.98–4.2 GHz):PrimaryNear-TermIMTCandidate

1

3

EmergingFederalMid-BandCandidatesBeyondCBand

1

4

InstitutionalRolesandResourcing

1

4

ImplicationsforIMTand6GPlanning

1

4

Japan

1

5

MICBeyond5GPropositionStrategy2.0

1

5

MIC/RadioRegulatoryCouncilFrequencyReorganizationActionPlan

(FY2025Version)

16

India

1

7

TheBharat6GVisionStatement

1

7

IndiaSpectrumRoadmapfor6Gservices

1

8

GCC

1

9

Africa

1

9

3GPPStatus

2

0

GlobalstatusofstudyoncandidatebandsforD2D

2

1

Europe

2

1

ECCReport373

2

1

RSPGOpinionoftheEU-levelpolicyapproachtosatelliteDirect-to-Device

connectivityandrelatedSingleMarketissues

22

ECMandatetostudyfeasibilityofanddevelopofleastrestrictiveharmonized

technicalconditionsfortheuseofEU-harmonizedfrequencybandsforterrestrialwirelesssystemsprovidingelectroniccommunicationservicebysatellitesystemprovidingdirecttodeviceIMTconnectivity

23

CEPTWorkonD2D-IMT

2

4

6.1.5WRC-27AI1.13

2

5

D2DMarketDevelopmentLandscape

2

5

EvolutionofSpectrumUsageTrends

2

6

61.8CurrentStatusofRegulatoryFrameworkDevelopmentfromadministrations

2

6

6.1.9Developmenttrendsandchallenges

2

7

6.2U.S

2

8

FCCSupplementalCoveragefromSpace(SCS)Framework

2

8

AuthorizedFrequenciesandTechnicalParameters

2

9

Japan

2

9

Japan’s-D2Dcommerciallaunch

2

9

DomesticLegislationandTechnicalParameters

3

0

6.3.2WRC-27AI1.13position

3

1

India

3

2

CurrentActivities

3

2

6.4.2WRC-27AI1.13

3

2

GCC

3

3

SaudiCSTD2DRegulatoryInitiative

3

3

TechnicalandSpectrumApproach

3

3

Africa

3

4

ATUandWRC-27AgendaItem1.13Position

3

4

ProposedFrequencyArrangements

3

4

FutureForumAnalysisoftheglobalspectrumdevelopmenttrends

3

4

Globaltrendsofharmonized6GCandidateBands

3

4

AnalysisofGlobal6GCandidateBandTrends

3

4

7.1.2.AnalysisfortheRegionalandNationalStrategicTrends

3

5

TechnologyandStandardizationDrivers(3GPP)

3

5

Conclusion:ConvergenceofGlobalTrends

3

6

GlobalTrendsofD2Dcandidatebands

3

6

AnalysisofGlobalD2DCandidateBandTrends

3

6

National&RegionalRegulatoryFrameworks:APatchworkUnder

Development

38

KeyTechnicalLimitationandMarketTrends

3

9

7.2.4.Conclusion:ConvergingPathstoHarmonization

3

9

Conclusionandsuggestions

4

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ExecutiveSummary

Thiswhitepaperprovidesananalysisofglobalprogressandstrategictrendsinidentifyingcandidatespectrumbandsfor6GandDirect-to-Device(D2D)satelliteconnectivity.Theprimarygoalistoinformandshapeaforward-lookingspectrumpolicy,withviewsonthecriticaldiscussionsattheupcomingWorldRadiocommunicationConference2027(WRC-27).

Thetransitionto6GandtheriseofAI-nativeapplicationsaredrivinganunprecedenteddemandforhigh-capacity,low-latencyconnectivity.Spectrumisthefoundationalresourcetomeetthisdemand.WRC-27isidentifiedasapivotalglobalforumforsecuringharmonizedspectrumfor6GandestablishingaclearregulatoryframeworkforD2Dservices,whichusemobilespectrumtoprovidesatelliteconnectivitytostandardsmartphones.

Thereisaclear,convergingglobalstrategyfocusingonmid-bandspectrumtobalancecapacityandcoverageforinitial6Gdeploymentsaround2030.

:

6425–7125MHz(Upper6GHz): AlreadyidentifiedforIMTatWRC-23,currentworkfocusesonimplementation

7.125–8.4GHz(7GHzband): StudyunderWRC-27AgendaItem(AI)1.7.

TechnologyDriver:3GPPstandardizationisdefiningamaximumchannelbandwidthof400MHzinthedownlinkforbandsaround7GHz,technicallynecessitatingthelarge,contiguousblocksofspectrum.

ThedevelopmentofD2Dspectrumpolicyisevolvingrapidly,markedbyastrategicshiftandregulatorydiversity.

DivergentRegulatoryApproaches:Apatchworkofnationalframeworksexists.TheU.S.(FCC),UK(Ofcom),andJapanhaveestablishedpioneerregimesallowingD2DinIMTbandsunderRRArticle4.4.TheEuropeanUnionistakingamorecautious,coordinatedapproachviaadetailedECMandatetoCEPT,aimingtodevelopaharmonizedframeworkthatabsolutelyprotectsterrestrialIMTnetworksfrominterference.

StrategicShifttoMSSSpectrum:IndustryoperatorsareincreasinglypursuingdedicatedMSSspectrum(e.g.,2GHzMSSinEurope)forstability,movingbeyondinitialrelianceonIMTbandaccessunderArticle4.4.

LongTermsolutionisseentoharmonizeunderWRC-27AI1.13

Thewhitepaperconcludesthatfromanindustryperspective:

For6G:For6G'shigh-bandwidthrequirements.Earlyplanningandinternationalcoordinationareessentialfortimelydeployment.

ForD2D:TheprotectionofterrestrialIMTnetworksfromharmfulinterferenceisthenon-negotiableprinciple.AnationalregulatoryframeworkshouldbeestablishedwherespectrumauthorizationforD2D-IMTisgrantedunderMobileNetworkOperator(MNO)licenses,withMNOspartneringwithandmaintainingcontroloverSatelliteNetworkOperators(SNOs).RegulatorymeasuresmustbetechnicallyverifiableandalignedwithITU-Rprocesses.

SuccessatWRC-27iscriticalforestablishingaharmonizedglobalfoundationfor6Ginthe2030sandasustainableregulatorymodelforD2D.Theconvergingfocuson6GspectrumdemandandthestructuredeffortstoenableD2Dwhileprotectingterrestrialnetworksrepresentthedefinitiveglobalspectrumdevelopmenttrendsthatwillshapethenextdecadeofmobileandsatelliteconnectivity.

China5G-Adevelopment

Asofearly2026,China's5G-Advanced(5G-A)developmenthasexperienceditstremendousdevelopmentinthe2ndyearssinceitscommerciallaunchin2024.Chinahasbuilttheworld'slargest5G-Anetwork,withcoverageextendingbeyondmajorcitiestokeyindustrialzonesandotherverticalmarkets.5G-Acommercialnetworkshavebeendeployedinover300citiesacrossChina,includingallprovincialcapitalsandmajoreconomichubs.Thetotalnumberof5GBSexceeds4.8million,supportingfeatureslike3CCCarrierAggregationorRedCap,over30million5G-Apackagesubscribersasof2025.Usersexperienceenhancedserviceslikenaked-eye3D,XRcloudgaming,and"speedboostpackages"forstadiumsandhigh-speedrailway.5G-AsupportsIndustrialDigitalization,deepintegrationintomanufacturing,ports,andminingtosupportreal-timemachinecontrolandAIqualityinspection.Inlogisticsarea,supportingdronedeliveryroutessecuredby5G-AnetworkshasbeendevelopedinShenzhenandHangzhou.InSmartGridsapplications,itiswidelydeployedforUltra-reliablelow-latencycommunication(URLLC)inpowerdistributionautomation.Industryecosystemhasbeenformedgradually.Insummary,Chinaiscurrentlyinthe"5G-AGoldenYear"(2025-2027),rapidlyscalingthetechnologytoserveasthefoundationalnetworkforthedigitalandintelligenttransformationofitseconomy,whilesimultaneouslylayingthegroundworkfor6Gresearch.

GlobalMobileDevelopmentTrends

BasedontheEricssonMobilityReportfromNovember2025,globalmobilenetworkdatatrafficischaracterizedbystableandsignificantgrowth,primarilydrivenbythetransitionto5Gandchanginguserbehaviors.Totalmobiledatatraffic(excludingFixedWirelessAccess)isprojectedtoincreasebyafactorofapproximately2.2by2031.TrafficfromsmartphonesisexpectedtogrowataCompoundAnnualGrowthRate(CAGR)of14percent,reaching304EBpermonthby2031.MobilePC,tablet,andmobileroutertrafficisalsoexpectedtorisesignificantly,withCAGRprojectionsbetween11and13percent.Monthlydatatrafficpersmartphoneisforecasttonearlydouble,risingfrom21GBin2025to39GBby2031.TheKeyDriversofTrafficGrowtharecomingfrom:

VideoDominance:Videocontentremainstheprimarydriveroftraffic.Bytheendof2025,videoisexpectedtoaccountfor76percentofallmobiledatatraffic.

TheRiseofUplinkTraffic:TheconvergenceofAI,cloud,andmobiletechnologiesisexpectedtofundamentallyshifttrafficpatterns,specificallydrivingsignificantgrowthinuplinkdemandsoverthenextdecade.

NewTechnologies:Theemergenceof6G(standardizationofwhichhasalreadybegun)andAI-nativenetworkswillenablenewusecaseslikeautonomousmobilityandmassivedigitaltwinning,furthercontributingtofuturetrafficsurges.

RecentglobalAIdevelopmentisbringingmobileindustrytransitionaswell.While5Genabledunlimiteddataandhigh-definitionvideo,themissionof6GistobethewirelesstechnologyfortheAgeofAIaswell.TheshifttoanAgent-Centricecosystemishappening,AIasatrafficdriver,AppsbasedecosystemmovingfromsmartphonecentrictoanagentcentricwhereAIagentstoobserve,interpret,andactacrossalldevicesandtheagentsrequirereal-timecontextandgeneratemassiveamountsofdataatthe"edge,".AsAIexpandsfromcentralizedcloudstodistributed,real-timeinference,thedemandforhigh-performanceconnectivitywillsurge.Weareenteringaneweraofhyperconnectivity,whereeverythingthatcangowirelesswillgowirelessandthatstronglydependsonrobustmobilenetworkfrom5G-Aandfuture6G.

6GwillusewidechannelstoefficientlysupportthemobiledatademandandaccelerateasAIapplications.6Gwilloperateswithwiderchannelsizesthanthepreviousgeneration.Successful6Gdeploymentswillusecontiguouschannelbandwidthsupto400MHz/200MHzwide.ITU-Rhasdefinedtherequirementsand3GPPwoulddefinethemaximumchannelbandwidthof400MHzforsingleoperatornetwork.

SpectrumisthekeytomakesuremobilenetworktosupportAIapplications

Astrongincreasingdemandformobilenetworkrequiresrightamountofspectrumresourcesutilizationtomeetthegrowingdemandofconnectivitytoensurelowbandinruralareaandmid-bandinurbancapacity,high-bandspectrumforhotspots.ItissignificantimportanceforforwardplanningfortheupcomingWRC-27tounlockthepotentialofeffectivespectrumregulationtosupportmobileconnectivityexpansionandtobuildglobalconsensusonIMTspectrumidentificationforgreateconomyofscaleandtechnologicaldevelopment.Thereare2criticaltopicsforthecomingWRC-27,oneisglobalharmonized6GspectrumandtheotheroneisDC-MSS-IMT1fordirecttodevice(D2D)satelliteconnectivitythatuseterrestrialmobilespectrumaslongastheydon’tinterferewithterrestrialnetworks.

Background of Future Forum Spectrum WhitePaper

ThisFutureForumwhitepaperwillfocusonanalyzetheglobalresearchoncandidate6GspectrumandD2D(DirecttoDeviceofSatelliteConnection)spectrumandregulatoryframeworksandwillprovideaFutureForumviewsandsuggestionsonthese2criticaltopics.TheChapter5willaddresstheglobalstatusofstudyoncandidatebandsof6GandChapter6willfocusonD2Dfrequencybandsglobaldevelopmentstatus.Chapter7willgiveaFutureForumanalysisofthetrendsonspectrumdevelopmentfromglobalperspectivesandChapter8willsuggestaFutureForumviewandrecommendationsinthese2keyareas.

Globalstatusofstudyoncandidatebandsof6G

Europe

SpectrumplaysapivotalroleinEurope'smobiledevelopmentandeconomy,astimely,harmonized,andinvestment-certainspectrumpoliciesarefundamentaltobuildingfuture-proofconnectivityecosystems.TheworkfromEuropeisfromEUlevelandCEPTlevel.

RSPG

TheRSPGisahigh-leveladvisorygroupestablishedtofeedEUdecision-makingaroundspectrumpolicies,withprimaryroletoactasthe"strategicarchitect"forEuropeanspectrumpolicy.6Gisoneoftheirkeyfocalareas.Theycompletedtheirfirst

deliverableon6Gi.etheRSPGReporton6GStrategicvision,inFebruary2025,outlinestheEuropeanUnion'spolicyframeworkforthedevelopmentanddeploymentof6G,targetingalauncharound2030.Thereportidentifiespotentialfrequencybandsfor6GinEurope,emphasizingtheneedforacoordinated6Gspectrumroadmapandhighlightscriticalstrategicareasincludingtheintegrationofterrestrialandnon-terrestrialnetworks,andthegrowingnecessityspectrumsharingsolutionswiththeincumbentservices.

RSPGnowfocusonthedevelopmentofa6GspectrumroadmapfortheEU.TheyhaveissuedadraftOpinionona6GSpectrumRoadmapforpublicconsultationinFeb,2026.Thedeadlineofcommentswillbe27March2026.Theroadmaptargetstofacilitatethelaunchof6GonalargescaleinEurope,thegoalistocreateacommonecosystemandmarketfornetworkandterminalequipmentinEuropesothatthebenefitsof6GservicesareavailabletoallEuropeancitizensinatimelymanner,drivingindustrialandsocietaltransformationandeconomicgrowthinEuropefrom2030andbeyond.ThistimelineshouldalsobesupportedbyEUspectrumpolicytoenabletheinitiallaunchof6GnetworksandservicesacrosstheEU.

Inthecurrentdraft,theRSPGreiteratesitsopinionthat6Gcanbeimplementedinallthefrequencybandscurrentlyusedformobilephonesystems.Itproposesthattheupper6GHzbandwouldbetheprimarybandsuitablefortheintroductionof6GinEuropeby2030,subjecttomarketdemand.TheRSPGcalledonequipmentmanufacturerstodevelopequipmentsupporting6Gtechnologywithinthesebands.TheRSPGalsoencouragesmobilenetworkoperatorstoplanthemigrationoftheirnetworksto6Ginlinewiththeirmarketstrategies,consumerdemandsandtheavailabilityofrelevantequipment.

TheopinionoftheRSPGonthestrategicspectrumroadmaptowards6Gidentifiesthefrequencyband(s)includes:

AlreadyHarmonizedBandsforECS(WBB)

LowBands(<1GHz):700MHz,800MHz,900MHzfornationwideandindoor

6Gcoverage.

MidBands:1500MHz,1800MHz,2GHz,2.6GHz,3.6GHztosupportandsupplementhigh-capacity6Gnetworkroll-outinsuburbanandurbanareas.

HighBands:26GHz,42GHzforveryhigh-capacityhotspot6Gcoverage.

Upper6GHzBand:Consideredtheprimarybandfor6GintroductioninEurope

by2030.Itcanenable6Gusecasesrequiringmorecapacitythan5G.ThefrequencyrangedependsonWRC-27outcomebutconsistsofatleast540MHzofcontinuousspectrum,helpingmeetmobileindustryandoperators'mid-bandspectrumdemandsandconsistentwitha20306Glaunch.

OtherBands

7125-7250MHzBand:UnderstudyatWRC-27inRegion1forpossible

IMTidentification,whichcouldprovideadditional6Gspectrum.

3.8-4.2GHzBand:Harmonizedandsuitablefordevelopinglow/mediumpowerlocalareanetworksusing6Gtechnologytosupportverticalmarkets.Othernational-levelfrequencybandsforlocalnetworksarealsonoted.

470-694MHzBand:Allocatedtothemobile(exceptaeronauticalmobile)serviceonasecondarybasisinalmostallEUcountriesandcouldenhance6Gcoverageandlow-bandcapacity.

VeryHighFrequencyBands(includingsub-THz):Currentlyunderresearchandlong-termstudyattheinternationallevelandcouldfacilitateIntegratedSensingandCommunicationsapplications.

Mobileequipmentmanufacturersshoulddevelop6G-supportingnetworkandterminalequipmentwithinalreadyharmonizedfrequencybands.Andmobilenetworkoperatorsshouldplannetworkmigrationto6Ginlinewithmarketstrategies,needs,andequipmentavailability.

Spectrumsharingsolutionsareessentialduetorisingspectrumdemand,andtheRSPGencouragesresearchanddevelopmentofsharingmechanisms.TheRSPGencouragesresearchanddevelopmentofsustainable6Gtechnologiesaddressingenvironmentalrequirementsandintegratingthemintothestandardizationprocess.

6Gshouldbuildonthecoordinatedevolutionandinteroperabilityofterrestrialandnon-terrestrialnetworks(NTN).NTNimplementationinterrestrialspectrumshouldbepursuedbasedonrelevantstudiesandpotentialCommissiondecisions.

TheRSPGreflectsontheimportanceofseamlessinteroperabilitybetweenmobileandfixedbroadbandnetworkswithWAS/RLANwirelessaccess.

TheRSPGandCEPTwillassessscenariosforflexibleuseofthe470-694MHzbandandprovideguidanceonrepurposingspectrumforalternativemobileserviceuses.WRC-31intendstostudypossibleregulatoryactionsforthe614-694MHzband.

AfinaldecisionontheEU'srecommendeduseofthebandwouldhavetocomefromtheEuropeanCommission,andthenbeimplementedbynationalgovernmentsintheEUmemberstates.Asidefromupper6GHz,6GcouldeventuallybeimplementedinallfrequenciescurrentlyharmonizedbytheEUforuseintelecomsandinternetservices,includinglowbandsinthe700MHz,800MHzand900MHzrange,midbandsincluding1,500MHz,1,800MHz,2GHz,2.6GHzand3.6GHzforsuburbanandurbanrollouts,andmmWavebands26and42GHzfordensifiedcapacitybuilds.ThedraftpositionaimstoalignwiththeRSPG'sbroader6G

strategicvisionpaper

fromFebruary2025,

alsointegratingearlierfindingsonEU-levelpoliciesinthe

470-694MHz

bandand

satellite

direct-to-device

technology

.

CEPT/ECClevelofwork:

CEPT6GRoadmap

6GworkinCEPTECClevelincludesCEPT6GRoadmapandotherrelevantreportse.g.U6GHz.

CEPT6GRoadmapoutlinesthestrategicplanandcoretasksfor6GdevelopmentandspectrumharmonizationwithintheCEPTregion.Itaimstoestablishharmonizedtechnicalconditionsfor6Gspectrumin2027/2028timeframe.

Keytasksconsists:

HarmonizationofBandsfor6GinCEPT

WRC-23Follow-up(focusonupper6GHzbands6425-7125MHz)

WRC-27Preparation(CEPTpositionsfortwokeyWRC-27Ais,AI1.7andAI1.13

Otherspectrumchallenges

NumberingAspects

HarmonizationofBandsfor6GinCEPTinvolvesconsideringanddecidingonfrequencybands(bothexistingandpotentiallynew)for6G,includingthosefortheinitiallaunch.ItincludesreviewingandupdatingexistingECCDecisionsforrelevantMFCN(Mobile/FixedCommunicationsNetworks)bandstoensuresuitabilityfor6G,anddevelopingnewharmonizationmeasuresforpotentialnewbands.

WRC-23Follow-up(FocusonUpper6GHzband:6425-7125MHz).Thisisamajorcomponent,centeredonimplementingtheWRC-23identificationofthe6425-7125MHzbandforIMTinEurope,notingitspotentialsharedusewithWirelessAccessSystems(WAS)/RLANs.ThetasksarestructuredinresponsetoaEuropeanCommission(EC)Mandateandinclude:

Assessmentofcoexistence/compatibility withincumbentservices(Task1).

Feasibilityandsharingstudies onthepotentialsharedusebetweenMFCNandWAS/RLANsinthisband,anddeterminingpreferredscenarios(Task2).

Developingaharmonizedframework fortheband(Task3).

WRC-27PreparationworkistopreparesCEPTpositionsfortwokeyWorldRadiocommunicationConference2027(WRC-27)AgendaItemsofAI1.7andAI1.13

OtherSpectrumChallengesincludeconsideringsupplementarysolutionslikesatellite/Non-TerrestrialNetworks(NTN)andDevice-to-Device(D2D)toprovide

geographicalcoverage,investigatingnewspectrumsharingopportunitiesenabledby6Gtechnologiesandsupportingadministrationswithtoolsforimplementingharmonization,includingbandreorganizationandcross-bordercoordinationetc.

NumberingAspectsinvolvesmonitoringrelevant6Gstandardsandtheirpotentialimpactonnumberingresources.

U6GHzDevelopmentStatus

EULevelWorkonU6GHz:

RSPGissueditsopinionforUpper6GHzLongTermVisiononNov12th,2025.HavingconsideredtheresponsestothepublicconsultationandthepreferencesexpressedbyMemberstates,

TheRSPGagreeaprioritizeduseoftheband6585-7125MHzforIMT.

Forthe6425-6585MHztheRSPGhasagreedtousethisasaguardband(togetherwithaBEMapplicabletoIMTinthe6585-7125MHz)toprotectWAS/RLANinthelower6GHzband(5945-6425MHz)untiltheWRC-27whichmayidentifytheadditionalband7125-7250MHzforIMT.MemberStateswillnotreleasethebandneitherforIMTnorforWAS/RLAN

FollowingtheWRC-27,RSPGintendstodecideontheexactuseofthe160MHz(6425-6585MHz).

IfWRC-27identifiesthe7125–7250MHzbandforIMTandnosignificantnewdevelopmentsorinsightssuggestotherwise,thereisastrongcasefordesignatingthe6425–6585MHzbandforprimaryWAS/RLANuse.

IfWRC27doesnotidentifythe7125–7250MHzbandforIMTandnosignificantnewdevelopmentsorinsightssuggestotherwise,thereisastrongcasefordesignatingthe6425–6585MHzbandforprimaryMFCNuse.

ECissueditsmandatestoCEPTtoperformtechnicalworkinDecemberof2024tostudyfeasibilityofanddevelopleastrestrictiveharmonizedtechnicalconditionsforthepotentialshareduseof6425-7125MHzfrequencybands.

TheECMandateofPotentialSharedUesoftheU6GHzbandisunderECCPT1in3tasksandtimelineoftaskislikethefollowing:

Task1:Coexistencewithincumbent—July,2026

Task2:ShareduseIMTvsWiFi—Oct,2026

Task3:technicalconditions—July,2027

CEPTReportAcoveringTask1–studyingthecoexistenceofIMT/RLANwithIncumbentsintheU6GHzbandtoresponsetotheTask1oftheECMandate.ThedraftwascompletedforpublicconsultationinJanuary2026andapproval.

CEPTReportBcoveringTask2–FeasibilityofSharedUseIMT/RLANtorespondtotheTask2ofECMandate.ECCReport366hasbeendevelopedandaCGwasestablishedtocontinuethework.

CEPTReportCcoveringtheTask3–HarmonizedTechnicalConditionsforIMTtoresponsetotheTask3oftheECMandate.Adraftworkitemwasprepared,reflectingconcernsraised.ThedraftworkitemwillbesubmittedtoECCforfurtherconsideration.

WRC-27AI1.7:

CEPTpreliminarypositionforWRC-27AI1.7hasbeendevelopedinthedraftCEPTbriefdocument.Thedraftingworkisstillongoing.EuropeCommonProposalisnotfinalizedyet.However,accordingtotheircurrentPreliminaryPositionforWRC-27AI1.7,itshowsthattheycouldsupport7125-7250MHzforIMTidentification.

Theyoppose4400-4800MHzforIMTidentification,(mainlyusebyAMSandMMS)thatincasedeploymentscenariosandparametersofIMThavenotchangedwithrespecttoWRC-15,WRC-19andWRC-23studies.Adjacentbandofaltimeterisalsotheirconcern.

Theyopposed7250-8400MHzsincetherangeisheavilyusedbycriticalmilitary,satellite,andexistingfixedservicesinEurope,makingitchallengingtoclearformobile.

Theyopposedthe14.8-15.35GHzIMTidentificationduetoun-feasibleAMScoexistence.

U.S

LegislativeandRegulatoryContext

InJuly2025,theUnitedStatesenactedtheOneBigBeautifulBillAct(OBBBA),establishingarenewedstatutoryframeworkforcommercialspectrumpolicywithastrongemphasisonmid-bandspectrumavailabilityforIMTandfuture6Gsystems.AcentralelementoftheActistherestorationoftheFederalCommunicationsCommission’s(FCC)spectrumauctionauthority,whichhadlapsedin2023andisnowreinstatedthroughSeptember30th,2034.Thislegislativecertaintyenableslong-termplanningforspectrumidentification,reallocation,andlicensing.

Whilerestoringauctionauthority,theActalsodefinesexplicitexclusionsreflectingnationalsecurityandfederalmissionrequirements.Inparticular,the3.1–3.45 GHzband

remainsreservedforradaroperations,andthe7.4–8.4 GHzrangeisprotectedforcriticalfederalfunctions.Theseexclusionsmateriallyconstrainthecandidatepoolforcommercialmid-bandIMTspectrumandelevatetheimportanceofadjacentbands.

SpectrumSupplyPipelineObjectives

TheOBBBAmandatestheidentificationofatleast800 MHzofspectrumbelow10.5 GHzforcommercialuse,implementedthroughadual-trackspectrumsupplypipeline.

First,afederalspectrumreallocationmechanismrequirestheNTIA,incoordinationwiththeFCC,toidentifyandtransitionatleast500 MHzoffederalspectrumwithinthe1.3–10.5 GHzrange,excludingprotectedbands.Thisprocessisstaged,withaminimumof200 MHztobeidentifiedbyJuly2027andauctionedbyJuly2029,followedbytheremainingspectrumtobeidentifiedbyJuly2029andauctionedbyJuly2033.TheActallowsflexibilityintheresultingusagemodel,includingexclusivelicensing,sharedaccess,orhybridarrangements.

Second,theFCCisdirectedtoconductsupplementaryauctionstotalingatleast300 MHzbefore2034.Withinthiscategory,theActimposesamandatoryrequirementtoauctionnolessthan100 MHzofspectrumintheUpperCBand(3.98–4.2 GHz)byJuly2027,effectivelyanchoringnear-termmid-bandIMTexpansion.

UpperCBand(3.98–4.2 GHz):PrimaryNear-TermIMTCandidate

TheUpperCBandhasemergedasthemostimmediateandconsequentialmid-bandopportunityunderthenewframework.InNovember2025,theFCCinitiatedaNoticeofProposedRulemaking(NPRM)seekingcommentonopeningupto180 MHzofthisbandformobileservices,exceedingthestatutoryminimumof100 MHz.

Industrystakeholders,including5GAmericasandCTIA,havebroadlysupportedaggressivereallocation,withsomeadvocatingreleaseofupto220 MHztomaintaininternationalcompetitiveness.Incontrast,oppositionhasbeenraisedbybroadcastingandsatellitestakeholde