"Compass" for spectrum management
Jochen Homann: "Investigating spectrum available for mobile broadband from 2026 onwards"
Date of issue 2020.08.21
The Bundesnetzagentur has today published its "Spectrum compass 2020". The paper presents initial considerations on the future availability of spectrum for mobile communications and provides an overview of the Bundesnetzagentur's next steps in spectrum management.
"With the mobile sector undergoing dynamic change, suitable spectrum is a key resource for its further development. We are therefore making an early start on investigating the issues surrounding the provision of spectrum for mobile communications from 2026, keeping in mind the interests of other user groups as well," said Jochen Homann, Bundesnetzagentur President.
Early legal and planning certainty
Spectrum usage rights in the bands at 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz will be expiring at the end of 2025. Expiry of the rights should not lead to a standstill in network roll-out. Rather, stakeholders are to be given maximum legal and planning certainty at an early stage to enable continued investment in the networks. Broadband network expansion will ultimately benefit consumers, whose demand for mobile broadband services is continually increasing.
Spectrum provision proceedings
The "Spectrum compass 2020" is the first step in the process of providing spectrum and involves identifying the relevant facts and stakeholders' interests.
Comments on the "Spectrum compass 2020" are to be submitted in writing, in German, by 23 October 2020.
The Bundesnetzagentur will evaluate the responses received and then look at the options for providing suitable spectrum for mobile communications, taking into consideration the interests of other user groups as well. It will also need to take account of the consequences of the forthcoming revision of the German Telecommunications Act.
The "Spectrum compass 2020" and further information about mobile broadband are available at: www.bundesnetzagentur.de/mobilebroadband.