Taking Initiative
Korea is actively seeking to take the initiative in discussions to standardize the 6GHz frequency band, in an effort to lead the 5G standard frequencies discussion. The nation is also aiming to increase its influence in international organizations by leading discussions on frequencies for the next-gen ICT area, including with drones, driverless cars, and wireless power transmission.
The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP) announced that it led efforts to discuss radio waves in the Asia Pacific region during the fifth WRC-15 preparatory meeting for ITU Members in Asia Pacific (APG-15-5), which took place in the Millennium Seoul Hilton between July 27 and Aug. 1.
The MSIP organized this event to create a final joint proposal for the Asia Pacific region prior to the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) to be held in Geneva, Switzerland from Nov. 2 to 27. The WRC is responsible for determining the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio frequency spectrum and geostationary and non-geostationary satellite orbits.
The government agency said that it successfully included an agenda to secure additional frequency bands above 6 GHz as next-gen frequency bands for 5G networks in the final joint proposal. It is planning to come up with a specific plan to utilize the 6GHz frequency band during WRC-19 and to commercialize the frequency band by 2022.
It is difficult to steadily transmit radio waves to large areas in the 6GHz spectrum, according to the government. However, Seoul plans to widen its usability through research to advance 5G networks, under the circumstances that frequencies are getting depleted. 5G networks generally send radio waves nationwide for wireless Internet access using low frequency bands below 3GHz, and combine and use high frequency bands at a short distance.
The MSIP is aiming to utilize the 6GHz frequency band for mobile broadband through technological research. An official at the MSIP noted, "We've recently succeeded in transmitting data from the 6GHz frequency band to a remote place with connection speeds of up to 7 Gbps." The official added, "We are going to devise a specific plan with the aim of introducing the agenda during WRC-19 and commercializing the 6GHz frequency band by 2022, thereby leading the efforts to standardize the frequency band."
At the event, 29 final joint proposals were adopted, including the 700 MHz frequency band for the national disaster safety communications network and radar frequency bands for cars. New agendas to allocate frequency bands in the fields of intelligent transportation systems, railway communication, and wireless power transmission were cultivated as well.