The EBU says the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19) has closed with positive results for its members.
Its after the Sharm el Sheikh event backed the EBU’s stance in rejecting an initiative to set the next WRC’s agenda in a way that would favour an allocation of UHF spectrum to mobile, and protecting a section of the C-Band spectrum that is currently used by broadcasters.
WRC, organised by the International Telecommunications Union, meets every four years to coordinate global changes to radio regulations.
The majority of the items discussed in November were of little interest to the broadcast sector, but there was concern about how the agenda for the next World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) might be set.
Broadcasters are concerned that frequencies within the UHF bands, best suited for DTT transmissions might be handed to mobile companies as they are also ideal for 5G services.
In an unexpected move, WRC-19 decided to commence studies on the potential use of a number of bands for fixed wireless broadband IMT (International Mobile Telecommunication) technologies.
One of the bands to be studied is the Ku-band, specifically the range between 10.7 to 11.7 GHz, which is currently used for direct-to-home reception in many countries.
However, the potential opening of the band will not be discussed before 2027, depending on the outcome of the studies in the years leading up to WRC-23.
Last week, other trade organisations such as GSMA and GVF welcomed the international spectrum treaty adopted by the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019.
