Newsletter 21

5G status in Europe

In the last weeks, 5G has been lighted up in Finland (DNA), Norway (Telenor, Telia), Poland (Orange, Polkomtel and T-Mobile) and Sweden (Telia, Tele2 and Tre) by a total of nine players.

When it comes to spectrum, Member States adopted a roadmap for spectrum assignment with a deadline of December 2020 for the three pioneer bands (700 MHz, 3500 MHz, 26 GHz).

• Finland awarded 26 GHz spectrum in June 2020; it is the third European country to assign mmwave spectrum following Italy and UK (partially for local indoor licences only).
• Hungary assigned 3.5 GHz spectrum a day before the lockdown in March 2020. Luxembourg assigned 3.6 GHz spectrum early August 2020. They rank 12 and 13.
• The Netherlands and Luxembourg respectively auctioned 700 MHz spectrum in July and August 2020. Nine Member States have already assigned 700 MHz spectrum for 5G, including them (Germany in June 2015, France in November 2015, Finland in November 2016, Italy in October 2018, Sweden in December 2018 , Denmark in March 2019, Hungary in March 2020, the Netherlands in July 2020, Luxembourg in August 2020).

5G status in Asia-Pacific

The 100 million 5G subscribers mark has been reached in China as at end June 2020. In South Korea, 7.4 million 5G subscribers were registered as at end June 2020. NTT DoCoMo ended June 2020 wih 149,000 5G modules, three months after launch.

5G status in North America

5G has been available in the USA since 2018. All the major players provide 5G services, be they mobile or FWA. 5G has been launched by two major Canadian mobile operators (Telus and Bell) in June 2020. The Telus 5G launch was put on hold a few weeks due to the covid-19. The Canadian 3.5 GHz spectrum auction has been delayed by the Government by one year toand rescheduled to start on 15 June 2021.

On the spectrum side, US players have been assigned mmwave spectrum in the last years (latest auction ended in March 2020). Additional spectrum will be made available in the coming months. In Canada, the 3.5 GHz auction has been postponed due to covid-19 to June 2021. In both countries, sub-1 GHz spectrum is available for 5G (600/700 MHz).

5G PPP Phase 3, Part.4: 5G Long Term Evolution

These eight projects started in November 2019 and will run for about three years to work on the LONGER TERM VISION.

The 5G PPP programme, as stated in the contract with the EC, is clearly planned to be more effective than standalone projects by having a strategy of working together through a program level Steering Board and a Technical Board bringing all 5G PPP projects together.  The success of the 5G PPP programme is significantly dependent on how the various projects can complement each other across the 3 planned phases and how effectively they can interface and cooperate to create a durable and strong impact, creating significantly more synergy beyond individual fragmented project efforts.

This 5G PPP Projects Heritage figure (Version 1.0) depicts the PPP programmatic connections between projects over the different phases.

5G PPP Phase 3: Key achievements and reference figure

Phase 3 reference figure: The 5G PPP TB has recently released the reference figure for Phase 3 projects. This phase is currently active with 3 5G end to end facilities for KPI validation that also support 7 advanced verticals validation trials projects. Moreover, 3 cross-border projects for CCAM are provide and validate new solutions for 5G networks supporting automated driving. Additionally, 8 projects are picking up speed to provide innovative solutions for the evolution of 5G networks in the areas of RAN evolution, advanced network management and security. Last but not least, Full5G is coordinating and supporting activities at a cross-5G PPP level. Stay tuned for another batch of new exciting projects that will start in Autumn 2020.

The Commission adopts Implementing Regulation to pave the way for high capacity 5G network infrastructure

On the Implementing Regulation

A fully-fledged 5G rollout relies on denser and smarter wireless networks of small cells, or antennas. The Commission Implementing Regulation defines the physical and technical characteristics of those small cells, which are exempted from any individual town planning permit or other individual prior permits. The definition of small cell in the implementing regulation sets tight limits in terms of size and power of those installations.

The Implementing Regulation ensures public health protection from exposure to electromagnetic fields as well as small cells visual integration. Small-area wireless access points should assure the protection of people’s health and safety, by adhering to strict EU exposure limits, which, for the general public, are 50 times lower than what international scientific evidence would suggest as having any potential effect on health. To ensure wide public acceptance for the measure, the Regulation addresses the visual appearance of small cells to avoid visual clutter. It lays out the specifications for a coherent and integrated installation, while providing national authorities with the means to oversee deployment of small cells.

Reflecting this, and to accelerate the rollout of this important new technology in the EU, small antennas should be exempted from any individual town planning permit or other individual prior permits. Permits may still be required for deployment on buildings or sites protected in accordance with national law or where necessary for public safety reasons. The Regulation allows for broader national measures in support of straightforward small cell deployment. It also foresees future amendments to incorporate the latest technological advances.

On small cells

The new small cells (antennas) will be less visible (either fully integrated and invisible to the public or, if visible, occupy a maximum space of 30 litres). Small cells will produce less electromagnetic emissions. In fact, they could be compared to WiFi installations. Small cells will use lower power levels and therefore create lower exposure levels than existing 4G infrastructure. The overall exposure with the rollout of 5G networks will, therefore, be comparable to existing levels – it will be well below the strict EU exposure limits, which, for the general public, are 50 times lower than what international scientific evidence would suggest as having any potential effect on health. Public health protection is ensured by the strict exposure limits set out in Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC, which sets exposure limits at 50 times lower than international scientific recommendations that ensure public safety.

Further information on the EC website.

New Radio Spectrum Policy Programme Europe for 2025-2030

The RSPP covers all types of radio spectrum use that affect the internal market, and sets general regulatory principles, policy objectives and priorities. The programme aims to enhance the efficiency and flexibility of spectrum use, as well as preserving and promoting competition. The new edition will run from 2025 to 2030.

Its key policy goals include liberalising more frequencies and facilitating shared spectrum use: at least 12 GHz of spectrum below 100 GHz would be liberalised as part of this programme. Cross-border trials will be favoured. SMEs spectrum needs will also be particularly considered. Spectrum sharing will further be encouraged.