WRC-23

Dubai, November 20 – December 15 2023

WRC-23 identifies the band 6425-7125 MHz for IMT

Following four years of technical studies at ITU-R to confirm that that appropriate protection of existing users in the 6 GHz band is feasible, the intense debates at the WRC-23 have led to the IMT identification of the band 6425-7125 MHz in Region 1, and the band 7025-7125 MHz in Region 3.

Additionally, several countries in Regions 2 and 3 have added their names to IMT identification country footnotes in the Radio Regulations for the band. This paves the way for other countries in the two regions to join the footnotes in future WRCs.

The IMT identifications include technical conditions which will allow the overall value of the upper 6 GHz band to be maximized for economies and societies, ensuring the protection of the Fixed Satellite Service (Earth to space), while allowing the deployment of macro-cellular IMT base stations in the band.

This is a first step to ensure mobile capacity expansion in a cost-effective manner, and countries are now able to consider opening the band for the evolution of 5G networks.

WRC-23 Regional Groups positions for

Agenda Item 1.2 upper 6 GHz band prior WRC-23

Click on the logo for each region for more information.

RCC
APT
ASMG
ATU
CITEL
CEPT
RCC
APT
ASMG
ATU
CITEL
CEPT
Upper 6 GHz band at WRC-23 Industry position paper
November 2023
Consensus is building among the regional groups in ITU Region 1 for the IMT identification of the upper 6 GHz band. As national administrations and the telecom industry gather to review and update the global use of radio frequencies in Dubai, we emphasise the need to harmonise the use of the upper 6 GHz band for wide-area IMT services. This will support high-performance 5G mobile telecommunications networks to drive the progress of digital economies.
Download Position Paper
Limits on expected EIRP at upper 6 GHz as proposed by CEPT for WRC-23 Industry position paper
November 2023

Operators and suppliers encourage administrations to adopt the limits proposed by ASMG/ATU as the most beneficial compromise during WRC-23, thereby maximizing the overall value of the upper 6 GHz for economies and societies, ensuring the protection of the FSS UL, but still allowing for macro-cellular deployment of IMT base stations in the band.

Download Paper

The World Radio Conference 2023 will take important decisions for the future use of the upper 6 GHz band consensus has built up among the regional groups in EMEA for the IMT identification of the upper 6 GHz band.

3rd ITU Inter Regional Workshop on WRC-23 Preparation
27-29 September 2023

Regional groups presentation with their positions for the conference for the upper 6 GHz band.

Download Presentation
CPM Report
27-29 September 2023

Report of the Conference Preparatory Meeting on technical, operational, and regulatory/procedural matters to be considered by the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023.

Download Report

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RCC:

Supports IMT identification for 6425-7100 MHz in Region 1 and globally

Proposed technical conditions for FSS (E-s) based on the Expected EIRP mask (for 6425-6525 MHz only)

Other conditions for FSS Earth stations, FS stations, SOS and SRS stations (7100-7250 MHz).

Outcome from the RCC final WRC-23 preparatory meeting
(Russian Federation, 4-8 September 2023)

6425-7100 MHz (Region 1 and globally):

  • Support the IMT identification with the following conditions:
    • it should not impose additional regulatory/technical restrictions on FSS Earth stations, FS stations as well as on SOS and SRS stations operating in the 7100-7250 MHz band;
    • FSS (E-s) protection can be provided based on RR Article 21, however for IMT BS with AAS an expected EIRP spectral density mask should be applied in the 6425-6525 MHz band;

7100-7125 MHz (globally):

  • In the case of IMT identification, protect existing services from interference in the same band and in adjacent bands (including FS stations as well as space stations of SOS, SRS and EESS (passive)); no additional technical or regulatory restrictions on FS, SRS and SOS stations should be imposed
    (Methods 4D and 5D)

APT:

Supports IMT identification for 7025-7125 MHz in Region 3

Possible new AI for WRC-27 for 6425-7025 MHz in Region 3

Outcome from APT final WRC-23 preparatory meeting
(Australia, 14-19 August 2023)

  • APT Members support identification of the frequency band
    7025-7125 MHz for IMT globally     through Method 5C together with a new WRC Resolution. APT Members are considering whether this proposed new WRC Resolution could be combined with a potential WRC Resolution for 6 425-7 125 MHz in Region 1, if agreed

(*) APT common proposal on WRC-23 AI1.2

ASMG:

ASMG supports identification of 6425-7025 in Region1 and 7025-7125 MHz globally for IMT by creating a new RR footnote associated to a  new Resolution that includes technical conditions to protect FSS (E to S) based on ‘’Expected EIRP mask’’ ( for 6425-7125 MHz).

ASMG regional common proposal submitted to WRC-23 Outcome from the final ASMG meeting in preparation for WRC-23 (Bahrain, Sept. 9-13)

6425-7025 (Region 1), 7025-7125 MHz (globally):

  • ASMG supports identification of 6425-7025 in Region 1 and of 7025-7125 MHz globally for IMT by creating a new RR footnote associated to a new Resolution
  • The proposed resolution includes technical conditions to protect FSS (E to S) based on ‘’Expected EIRP mask’’ ( for 6425-7125 MHz) corresponding to Alternative 2 example 3 of the CPM report.

ATU:

Supports IMT identification for 6425-7125 MHz.
Proposed technical conditions for FSS (E-s) based on the “Expected EIRP mask”.

Outcome (*) from the final ATU WRC-23 preparatory meeting
(Cameroon, 7-11 August 2023)

6425-7025 (Region 1), 7025-7125 MHz (globally):

  • Support IMT identification band with technical conditions contained in a draft new WRC Resolution
    (Methods 4C and 5C)
  • FSS (E-s) coexistence: based on the “expected EIRP mask”,
    Example 3 in the CPM report

(*) Outcome from the final APM meeting

CITEL:

NOC for 6425-7125 GHz for all Regions.

Outcome from CITEL final WRC-23 preparatory meeting
(Canada, 28 August – 1 September)

6425-7125 MHz (globally):

  • Administrations propose NOC for the identification of the frequency band 6425-7125 MHz for IMT in all Regions.

(*) Documents from the final Permanent Consultative Committee II (PCC.II) meeting on WRC-23 preparation./RES. 156 (XLII-23)

CEPT:

Willing to accept IMT identification for 6425-7125 MHz,

5 conditions including technical conditions for FSS (E-s) coexistence based on the “Expected EIRP mask”.

Outcome (*) from the CEPT final WRC-23 preparatory meeting
(Ireland, 18-22 September 2023)

6425-7025 (Region 1), 7025-7125 MHz (globally):

  • Accept IMT identification under the following conditions explained in a draft Resolution:
    • Protection of existing primary services
    • Continued operation of radio astronomy and EESS (passive) for sea surface temperature (SST) measurements. Proposing new primary allocations at 4.2-4.4, and 8.4-8.5 GHz
    • No limitations imposed on the existing services and their future development
    • Outlining opportunities for WAS/RLAN use of the band as well as flexibility regarding the future usage in Europe (i.e. IMT, WAS/RLAN or under a shared framework between IMT and RLAN) (**)
    • No IMT agenda item for WRC-27 studying additional IMT identifications within 7-30 GHz where IMT would have the potential to jeopardise important European space and governmental spectrum
  • FSS (E-s) coexistence: based on the “expected EIRP mask”, proposing a mask that is not contained in the CPM report

(*) Approved European Common Proposal from the final CPG-23 meeting

(**) Europe will consider, by 2024 or later, the best usage of the band: either IMT, or RLAN or a shared use between IMT and RLAN

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