The European Commission White Paper ‘How to master Europe’s digital infrastructure needs?’ was released earlier this year and contained key objectives of looking to create a Digital Single Market in Europe. Part of this involves a proposal for a more integrated governance at EU level for spectrum, including proposals to ‘Europeanise’ spectrum usage licenses for both mobile and satellite. This is not the first time that a proposal along these lines has been put forward, but it has once again placed into the spotlight the institutional structures involving key European level regulatory bodies and the relationship between these and member states. This session will explore what this may mean for the future governance of spectrum in Europe and whether there is a need to revisit the way in which key decisions on spectrum policy are taken. It will look at what the Commission are trying to achieve,  whether the proposals that have been put forward are the best way to deliver this, and, particularly with the current Commission mandate set to end at the end of this year, what can be expected to be the next steps.
 

• What benefits could the delivery of a true digital single market for Europe bring?
• What are the key proposals relating to spectrum management that have been put forward as part of the EU Commission White Paper as they look to deliver on this goal of completing the digital single market?
• What factors have led to previous attempts to establish greater EU coordination in spectrum management, and to what extent are things different today?
• Where should the balance lie between decision making at a European and a member state level when it comes to spectrum policy?
• To what extent should there be more coordination at an EU level in elements such as spectrum licencing, allocation, and authorisations for both IMT and satellite services?
• What impact could coordinated EU-level awards and/or authorisations have in terms of service provision, coverage, competition, prices for end-users and overall competitiveness of the EU on the global stage?
• What is the current relationship between key European level regulatory bodies such as CEPT, the European Commission, RSPG, the Radio Spectrum Committee, ETSI, and others? 
• To what extent is there a need to re-examine these relationships, the institutional structures and mechanisms used when conducting technical preparatory work for EU decisions on spectrum harmonisation or negotiations with other regions (for example, as part of the WRC process)?

Six months have now passed since the crucial World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) in Dubai. Stakeholders across Europe and globally have had time to reflect on the decisions that were taken on key agenda items, assess their impact, and consider the next steps. As regulators across Europe and globally face up to the challenge of delivering sufficient spectrum to both satisfy the growing demand for mobile broadband services and meet future requirements for the growth of satellite, WiFi, broadcast, and other key services, these WRC-23 outcomes will play a big part in shaping the future connectivity landscape both in the region and globally. This session will look in detail at the questions and answers that have come out of Dubai and what these mean for member states, European connectivity providers, and citizens, as well as their immediate and long-term connectivity objectives. With the first preparatory meeting for WRC-27 taking place in the week immediately following the conclusion of the WRC-23 discussions, it will also look at the issues that are set to dominate discussions over the next four years, both in Region 1 and internationally, and what this may mean for the development of the spectrum landscape across the European region.
 

• What decisions were taken on the key agenda items at WRC-23 for Europe, Region 1 more broadly, and elsewhere in the world?
• What implications do these decisions have for the allocation of bandwidth to various industry sectors and technologies? In which areas have decisions brought clarity, and where do uncertainties persist?
• In which agenda items was it not possible to achieve fully coordinated outcomes across Europe and the rest of Region 1, and what mechanisms and footnotes were introduced as a result of this? What flexibilities do these then allow, and what are likely to be the next steps?
• What were the key goals of the European region, the different member states and the EU going into WRC-23, and to what extent have these objectives been met?
• What lessons can be gleaned from the conference to inform and improve participation in the following preparatory meetings and future WRCs?
• Are there improvements that could be made at a CEPT and European level in order to improve the preparatory processes and add additional influence to the European ‘voice’ and positions?
• Moving forward, what are likely to be the key agenda items and issues to be discussed at WRC-27?
• What are the first steps that have already begun in the build-up to this, and what are likely to be the key challenges ahead as we build up to 2027?

The future of the upper 6GHz band has been hotly debated over the past few years. Recent discussions that took place at WRC-23 highlighted the very different opinions that still remain both at a regional and national level when considering the best solution for the band in the long-term. Across Europe and the rest of Region 1, the decision was taken to identify the entire 6425-7125MHz band for IMT, whilst at the same time including a footnote that recognises that this spectrum is used by wireless access systems such as Wi-Fi. Alongside this, the RSPG has started its work towards the Opinion on the upper 6 GHz long-term vision which is expected early in 2025, and work is ongoing in CEPT on technical studies from a number of different angles to explore the potential feasibility of sharing in the band. Against this backdrop, this session will look at the next steps and at the different approaches and mechanisms that are on the table as a possible solution. It will discuss the viability of each of these and explore whether sharing of some kind in the band is feasible and if it would represent the most appropriate use of spectrum, or if not, then what other options could be considered. Taking all this into account, it will look at the best approach to ensuring the interference free co-existence of mobile, WiFi, and incumbent services across the 6GHz band. What is the right choice for Europe in order to ensure that the economic value of this key spectrum is maximised both in the short and long term?
 

• Following the decisions at WRC-23 and also taking into account the Digital Decade Policy Programme, what is the current situation with regards to the upper 6GHz band in Europe?
• What is the best way forward to ensure that the economic value of this key spectrum is maximised, investments are incentivised and that the efficiency of these key frequencies are met?
• Is a shared approach of some kind now inevitable (and feasible) in the band? If not, what other options are on the table?
• What is hybrid sharing and to what extent can a model in this way provide a possible solution? What work has begun across different bodies to study the feasibility of this and to develop harmonised technical conditions for a sharing model?
• What work alongside this is being done? If a hybrid model proves too complex, could other options such as geographical, time, or band-split sharing also be considered?
• What work is being done to assess the coexistence of mobile and WiFi systems with incumbent services in this band and in adjacent bands, and how can interference be avoided?
• Should a single approach apply across Europe or is there scope to identify a framework that allows flexibility for countries to take account of their national priorities?
• What ‘redlines’ are emerging from both the IMT and WiFi communities, and will it be possible to find a viable sharing model that meets these and the broader connectivity needs of both sides? 
• How can it be ensured that whatever solution is found provides a ‘win-win’ and not a ‘lose-lose’ scenario, incentivises investment ensure that the economic value of this key spectrum is maximised both in the short and long term?
• To what extent could the successful adoption of a shared approach to the upper 6GHz band in Europe become a model that in the future other countries and regions around the world may also consider? What benefits could this bring?

As the demands of our hyper-connected world outpace the availability of traditional spectrum, spectrum sharing of some kind is set to become increasingly part of the connectivity landscape. Europe has traditionally been slower than some other regions (US, Asia) when it comes to embracing sharing technologies, but there are signs of this changing, with a number of different innovative sharing approaches now being explored across different bands. This session will look at the increasing importance that spectrum sharing may play in meeting future connectivity requirements of technologies such as 6G and WiFi8, and how technological and regulatory advances may help models for sharing to evolve. It will explore different sharing models and techniques, including dynamic access, cognitive radio technologies, licensed shared access models, and unlicensed models like Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) in the US. It will discuss the role of regulators and governments in encouraging innovation and ensuring fair and efficient spectrum use, and overall, it will look at what needs to be done to ensure the delivery of flexible regulatory frameworks and policies can facilitate innovation and responsible spectrum sharing without stifling competition.
 

• What have been the factors that have limited spectrum sharing in Europe in the past? Are we starting to see a change in attitude and approach to sharing across the region?
• How important is it that member states look to coordinate their approaches to sharing, and what benefits could a harmonised shared spectrum regime across Europe bring? What work is being done by different players to deliver this?
• To what extent can spectrum sharing contribute to addressing the growing demand for bandwidth, especially in the context of evolving technologies and increasing connectivity needs? 
• How can licensed spectrum holders be incentivised to collaborate and share underutilised resources?
• What innovative licensing models and approaches have been seen in Europe and the rest of the world, and what lessons can be taken from these? What new plans are under consideration for the future?
• What mechanisms should regulatory authorities use to monitor and enforce compliance with spectrum sharing agreements to maintain a level playing field among coexisting networks? What changes may be needed to current regulations?
• Are new spectrum valuation and licencing models needed when operators are going to share the spectrum? What are key factors that spectrum authorities need to take into account?
• How successful have dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS), cognitive radio, and innovative models such as that seen in the CBRS band in the US been in enabling the sharing of underutilised spectrum while protecting incumbent users? What potential could approaches such as these offer for European countries, and are there already examples at a regional level of the implementation of these mechanisms?
• What impact can advancements in technologies (such as Next Generation Massive MIMO & AI Driven Systems) have on the feasibility of sharing, and how can Europe ensure that we are in a position to take advantage of these?

More than 90% of the overall internet traffic and up to 80% of mobile traffic happens indoors. It is vitally important to ensure that seamless, high capacity, reliable, and low latency connectivity is available available for both consumer and industrial users across all indoor situations. However, the sheer variety of buildings, venues, use-cases and stakeholders makes achieving this a complex task. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. This session will explore the specific challenges faced in delivering gigabit indoor connectivity across various scenarios and at the different solutions that are available to tackle these. It will explore the role that different technologies such as 5G, Wi-Fi and fixed access (including FTTH) can play in addressing the diverse needs of indoor connectivity, and at how indoor connectivity fits within the broader scope of the Digital Decade connectivity objectives for 2030. It will explore the technical and economic challenges that have been holding back indoor connectivity to date, and at the different solutions that are available to tackle these and deliver the end user with the seamless connectivity solutions that they require.
 

• What can be delivered indoors with current Wi-Fi, 5G and fixed access technologies and spectrum? What can be expected in the future?
• What are the technical and economic challenges that have been holding back indoor connectivity to date, and what different solutions are available to tackle these?
• What role can outdoor-in 5G coverage play in complementing WiFi technologies to deliver indoor connectivity? What are the specific technical challenges of this and what solutions are available to tackle these?
• How can it be ensured that the environmental sustainability of solutions is also considered?
• To what extent can ‘offloading’ of indoor 5G traffic help reduce the need for outdoor-in connectivity? What options are available to deliver this, and how can mobile operators potentially work alongside other connectivity solutions, such as Wi-Fi providers or neutral hosts, in order to find a solution?
• How can policymakers work alongside connectivity providers from different sides to improve indoor connectivity and ultimately ensure the needs of all consumer and industrial indoor users are met?

Traditionally, spectrum management has always been handled by humans and has been a manual and time-consuming process. With the increasingly complex and crowded ecosystem that is being seen today, the job of the spectrum manager is becoming increasingly complicated. With regulators and connectivity providers around the world continually on the lookout for more efficient and intelligent spectrum management, this interactive discussion will explore the potential that AI and machine learning could play in automating tasks, enhancing efficiency, and optimising both allocation and network performance. Will AI be the death knell for traditional spectrum managers?
 

• What impact could AI have on spectrum management and on decisions on the way spectrum is managed, allocated, and optimised? Will it be the ‘game-changer’ that some predict?
• Will AI render traditional spectrum managers obsolete, or will we see a future where humans and machines work together to create a more efficient future?

At the end of the session, the audience will be asked to vote:
 
Will AI be the death knell for traditional spectrum managers?
 

• I can see a future in which the role of the human spectrum manager as we know it today becomes obsolete
• AI will significantly change how spectrum management is done, but it won’t eliminate the need for human spectrum managers altogether
• AI may help to automate tasks but human expertise will remain central to spectrum management

The 600 MHz (470-694 MHz) UHF band is the core band for DTT broadcast services and for audio Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE). IMT however, also see it as an important band to expand coverage of networks, and with this in mind, its future has been widely discussed in Europe over recent years. At WRC-23, a decision was taken to protect broadcast services as the exclusive primary user in the band for the foreseeable future – it will not be on the agenda in Europe for WRC-27 and won’t be looked at again until 2031. In addition, last year, the RSPG released an opinion on the future use of the band beyond 2030 in the EU, which included a recommendation to find a solution that preserves sufficient spectrum for audio PMSE. Against the backdrop of the decisions and recommendations that have now been taken on the 600MHz band, this session will explore what this means for the future use of this spectrum and of those services that use it. With the short-term future settled, this session will explore what this new-found security means for the future of broadcasting and PMSE services in Europe, both in the short and long term. It will look at how innovative new technologies and approaches could be set to shape the future of the broadcast and PMSE sectors, the way in which content is produced and delivered, and the spectrum that is required in order to meet these needs. 
 

• What do the outcomes from WRC-23 mean for the future of the band, both in Europe and elsewhere in Region 1?
• What flexibilities have been built in via the new footnotes? For those countries which signed up to a secondary allocation to mobile services, what does this mean in practice, and under what conditions could services potentially be rolled out in the band?
• Given the differences in demand for terrestrial broadcast that are seen across Member States and the flexibility now provided by the footnotes, are the chances of a long-term EU harmonised approach in the UHF bands starting to diminish?
• With the future of terrestrial broadcast now secured in the 600 MHz band until at least 2031, what does this mean for the future shape of broadcast and PMSE in Europe in both the short-term and long-term?
• How might innovative new services such as 5G Broadcast and WMAS (Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems) potentially change the shape of the media industry and the relationship between broadcast, PMSE, and mobile?
• Considering the long-term, are there any possibilities for exploring shared use of the UHF band with other services in the future while still ensuring the viability of broadcasting and PMSE?
• How can innovative technologies and spectrum management techniques be used to accommodate new services while protecting existing users of the UHF band?

The speed of evolution that has been seen recently in the space sector presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges for spectrum management. One area that is seeing significant interest is in direct-to-device connectivity (D2D) and the introduction of hybrid networks seeing non-terrestrial connectivity supplementing existing mobile services. This rise in D2D connectivity demands innovative solutions for spectrum allocation, with a number of different approaches being considered in order to update current regulatory frameworks at both national and ITU levels to handle the different connectivity models that are being seen today. This session will examine the current landscape of satellite D2D spectrum access, identify areas for revision, and explore ongoing efforts towards modernising these frameworks. It will explore how regulatory approaches around the world are evolving to adapt to the dynamic space environment and look at how the best approach can be taken in Europe in order to allow all emerging and existing technologies to thrive.
 

• What are the key challenges that the emergence of innovative new technologies and systems such as direct-to-device connectivity pose for spectrum managers?
• What work is taking place around the world to explore the adaptation of existing regulatory frameworks and systems to take these into account, and who is taking the lead?
• What licensing models and rules are being considered to ensure the protection of spectrum rights for both incumbent users and new market entrants, promote long-term sustainability, ensure equitable access, and facilitate rational and compatible utilisation of orbital and spectrum resources?
• What key parameters (i.e. licence conditions, power limits, unwanted emission limits) should regulators be taking into account? 
• What is the situation in Europe? What coordination is being seen at a European level, and who should take the lead in this area?
• What different bands and access models are being considered for D2D? Is coordination of spectrum bands possible at a regional level? And globally?
• What work has begun on defining system characteristics of services and sharing conditions with incumbent services?
• Is the “first-come-first-served” principle in ITU satellite coordination well suited for D2D and other future connectivity models and requirements?
• With D2D connectivity set for discussion at WRC-27, what is the situation in the interim 4 year period? Where does the balance lie between not stifling innovation but also ensuring the protection of all users on a temporary basis whilst long-term solutions are found?
• Are we moving towards technology/network-neutral spectrum licences in the medium/long term?

Over the last decade and more, spectrum auctions have been a favoured method of regulators in Europe in order to allocate spectrum and the available bandwidth in a way which delivers competitive, innovative markets. Critics of standard ‘cash-based’ auctions, however, say that they can sometimes be seen by Governments as cash cows to replenish public finances, and that at a time in which MNOs are seeing revenues falling and Europe is arguably falling behind in terms of investment in network infrastructure (particularly in rural areas, which are often uneconomical to serve), there is increasingly a view that alternative approaches could be considered. At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona earlier this year, both Commissioner Breton and the CEOs of 4 large telcos separately endorsed the idea of ‘cashless’ spectrum auctions designed not to reward the highest bidder but the operator, which commits to investing more and faster in network roll-out. Against this backdrop, this session will explore the future of spectrum auctions and awards as we move towards the 6G era. It will explore the different options that may be available to regulators in order to leverage spectrum awards to increase coverage and how so-called ‘cashless’ auctions and other mechanisms such as beauty contests and coverage obligations could work in practice. Are auctions still the right tool for spectrum allocation, and if so, what formats are appropriate for the 6G era?
 

• In light of falling MNO revenues and Europe’s infrastructure gap, how effective have traditional cash-based auctions been in achieving policy goals beyond raising revenue?
• Are auctions still the right tool for spectrum allocation as we move towards 6G?
• If auctions remain, what format tweaks or hybrid models might be necessary for the 6G era?
• What examples have been seen in the past of regulators looking to leverage spectrum awards to increase coverage? How successful have these been?
• What different mechanisms can be used to link coverage obligations to spectrum auctions, and what are the pros and cons of each?
• Taking things a step further, could there be an argument for ‘cashless’ auctions, in which fees are removed completely and instead the winners are determined solely on the basis of who commits to investing more and faster in network roll-out?
• What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of cashless auctions that prioritise network investment over the highest bids?
• How would cashless auctions be designed to ensure fair competition and efficient spectrum allocation?
• Beyond cashless auctions, what alternative allocation mechanisms, like beauty contests or coverage obligations, could be explored for the 6G era?
• How can regulators balance the need to incentivize network investment whilst ensuring fair competition, preventing spectrum hoarding, and promoting innovation in the 6G landscape?

Work has started in earnest on planning for the future roll-out of 6G services across the EU and on considering options for the key bands that will form the basis of this as the initial primary and pioneer bands for services. Three bands have been identified to be studied for potential IMT identification ahead of WRC-27 studied for this – 4400 – 4800 MHz; 7125 – 8500 MHz and 14.8 – 15.35 GHz, but each of these poses potential challenges when it comes to making the required spectrum available. Not least, they are all currently harmonised NATO bands for military use. Against this backdrop, this session will look at the current state of play across Europe when it comes to starting work on the development of a spectrum roadmap for 6G. It will discuss the challenges that would need to be overcome in order to roll out 6G services, and in the case of new bands, how the needs of 6G can be balanced both with those of incumbent services in the bands, and with the those of other evolving future connectivity technologies. Taking into account the technical requirements for the 6G spectrum, potential applications for 6G, and the regulatory processes for allocating spectrum in Europe, it will discuss the best way forward to deliver the spectrum that is required for the future success of 6G.
 

• What new services and use cases is 6G expect to support that are not possible with 4G and 5G, and what are the spectrum requirements corresponding to these?
• What will be the spectrum requirements for an introduction of 6G mass market in the EU to meet both capacity and coverage needs? When will this bandwidth be required?
• How can this be balanced with the needs of other future connectivity technologies to ensure the requirements of everyone are met?
• What lessons can be taken from 5G rollout in Europe as we start planning for 6G?
• To what extent can the refarming of existing IMT bands be part of the solution to meet the demand of 6G?
• What usage is currently seen by military and other users in each of the 3 candidate bands that have been identified for study for IMT use ahead of WRC27 (4400 – 4800 MHz; 7125 – 8500 MHz and 14.8 – 15.35 GHz)?
• What are the key technical and regulatory challenges that would need to be overcome in order to introduce IMT services in each of these bands, and what mechanisms may be available to do this?
• Is it inevitable that one or more of these bands will provide the backbone for the initial 6G rollout in Europe and elsewhere, or are there other options that may also come into the mix?
• What role is spectrum allocated on a licenced, unlicenced, and shared basis set to play a part in delivering 6G? 
• What work is being done to work towards a coordinated 6G band plan at a European level, and to what extent can a fully harmonised approach be delivered?