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CA invites interested parties to express interest in using spectrum in 26 and 28 GHz bands for provision of fifth generation mobile services
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The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:

     The Communications Authority (CA) today (December 7) invited interested parties in the industry to express their interest in using the spectrum in the 26 GHz band (24.25 – 27.5 GHz) and 28 GHz band (27.5 – 28.35 GHz) for the provision of fifth generation (5G) mobile services in Hong Kong.

     As 5G services will enable very high-speed, ultra-reliable and low-latency communications supporting enhanced mobile broadband connectivity, Internet of Things and smart city applications etc., multiple Gigahertz of additional spectrum will be needed for deployment of this new generation of mobile services. Back in March 2017, the CA promulgated its work plan for making available additional spectrum for meeting the increasing demand on public mobile services, in particular the forthcoming 5G services, which are expected to be commercially launched in around 2020. Currently, various sub-bands in the 26 GHz and 28 GHz bands are allocated for radionavigation service, fixed service and fixed satellite service. In April 2017, the CA served notices to the existing fixed link users for withdrawal of the assigned frequencies in the 26 GHz band with effect from April 1, 2019. As for the spectrum in the 28 GHz band, it is currently unused and is yet to be deployed for any service. In view of the planned band vacation, the spectrum within the contiguous bandwidth of 4.1 GHz in the 26 GHz and 28 GHz bands will become available as the first batch of 5G spectrum for the market.

     "To gauge the demand of the local industry in deploying the spectrum in the 26 GHz and 28 GHz bands for 5G services and to facilitate CA's consideration of the allocation and related assignment arrangements for such spectrum, the CA now calls for inputs from interested parties in the industry on various aspects including frequency planning, services and applications to be provided, spectrum requirements and caps, equipment availability and timing of spectrum assignment, shared use of spectrum, performance requirements and network rollout plan, and technical trials," a spokesman for the CA said.

     "The CA, after examining the expression of interest to be received from the industry, is minded to propose the allocation of the spectrum in the 26 GHz and 28 GHz bands for mobile service as a primary service and set out the related assignment arrangements for public consultation in 2018. The target of the CA is to make available such spectrum in 2019 at the earliest for the provision of 5G services," the spokesman continued.
        
     The document on this invitation for expression of interest can be downloaded from the website of the CA (www.coms-auth.hk/filemanager/en/content_1082/EOI_on_26_28_GHz_bands.pdf). Submissions should be sent to the Office of the Communications Authority on or before January 18, 2018.
 
Ends/Thursday, December 7, 2017
Issued at HKT 10:00
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