The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) which concluded last week has identified a number of additional spectrum bands for mobile broadband. The main frequencies are the 1427-1518 MHz and 3400-3600 MHz bands.

Of these, the 1427-1518 MHz (commonly known as L-band) is harmonised across all three ITU regions and offers significant benefits given its desirable propagation characteristics compared to a number of existing mobile bands at higher frequencies. In Europe, part of the band (1452-1492 MHz) has already been harmonised for mobile supplemental downlink prior to WRC-15, and assigned to mobile operators (for example, Germany, Italy, UK).
As for the C-band, the picture is slightly more mixed. The 3400-3600 MHz band has been harmonised for mobile broadband in Region 1 (Europe/Africa/Middle East) and Region 2 (Americas). In Region 3 (Asia Pacific) several countries have also identified 3400-3600 MHz notably key players such as China, Japan, Korea, Australia and India.  Adjacent frequencies have also been earmarked for mobile broadband in several countries. These include 3300-3400 MHz (parts of Africa, Middle East, Asia Pacific) and 3600-3700 MHz (US, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica).
Plum has carried out a series of economic and technical studies on the deployment of mobile broadband in the L-band and the C-band for industry players and regulators. The published reports can be found here.  We will be providing a more in-depth look at the key issues arising from WRC-15 in the coming weeks.