Wireless Access Systems and Radio Local Area Networks (WAS/RLANs) are intended to cover smaller geographic areas like homes, offices and to a certain extent buildings being adjacent to each other. Radio LANs are also known as Wireless LANs (WLANs) and Wideband Data Transmission Systems.
WAS/RLANs have been conceived in order to replace physical cables for the connection of data networks within a building, thus providing a more flexible and, possibly, a more economic approach to the installation, reconfiguration and use of such networks within the business and industrial environments.
A popular deployment of WAS/RLANs is providing broadband connectivity at public locations like airports, railway stations, conference centres, hotels and street cafés. Even on trains, busses, cars or aboard aircraft WAS/RLANs are or will become available for providing network access. WAS/RLANs are also popular at home and at the office enabling the users to connect all equipment wirelessly.
Currently, the main frequency bands used by WAS/RLANs are 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz and in many cases, the deployed technology is based on the IEEE 802.11 standards family. However, other technologies such as Bluetooth or LTE-LAA are deployed in parts of those frequency bands as well.
The continuously increasing demand for faster transmission rates and the continued substitution of wired connections by wireless ones have made it necessary to identify other frequency bands that offer sufficient capacities. Therefore, new regulation has been adopted in Europe, as well as in several countries around the world, to allow the use of WAS/RLANs in the 6 GHz band. Similarly, CEPT has undergone the update of the regulatory framework for the Wideband Data Transmission Systems in the 57-71 GHz band.
ECC Decision (01)03 includes in its Annex 2 the terminology that is used for WAS/RLANs, in the ECA Table as well as in the EFIS database.
2 Existing ECC regulations on WAS/RLANs, WLANs, and Wideband Data Transmission Systems
2400-2483.5 MHz
The frequency range 2400-2483.5 MHz is designated for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) applications. Radiocommunication services operating within these bands must accept harmful interference which may be caused by these applications (Footnote 5.150 in the Radio Regulations). This frequency band is used by many short range device applications and available for such use on a global basis.
- ERC Recommendation 70-03 Annex 3 (Wideband Data Transmission Systems), includes references to the harmonised European standard and national implementation information
5150-5350 MHz and 5470-5725 MHz
- ECC Decision (04)08 (last amended July 2021)on the harmonised use of the 5 GHz frequency bands for the implementation of Wireless Access Systems including Radio Local Area Networks (WAS/RLANs)
- ERC Recommendation 70-03 Annex A includes references to the harmonised European standard and national implementation information
Note that WAS/RLAN use is also possible under the existing SRD regulation with up to 25 mW e.i.r.p. in the frequency band 5725-5875 MHz (see ERC/REC 70-03 Annex 1).
5945-6425 MHz
- ECC Decision (20)01 on the harmonised use of the frequency band 5945-6425 MHz for Wireless Access Systems including Radio Local Area Networks (WAS/RLAN)
57-71 GHz
In the CEPT area, applications for WAS/RLANs other than fixed outdoor services are regulated as short range devices (SRD). It should be noted that SRDs do not have the same primary allocation status as fixed services, therefore they should not produce harmful interference to fixed links. Recommendation ERC/REC 70-03 Annex 3 gives the regulatory provisions for Wideband Data Transmission Systems and includes references to the harmonised European standard and national implementation information. The Recommendation is in line with the CEPT Report 70, which also formed the basis for the update of Decision 2019/1345/EU from the European Commission.
In its meeting in October 2021, WG SE agreed to withdraw the following Recommendations, as superseded by the latest update of ERC/REC 70-03:
Note that the 66-71 GHz range has also been addressed in CEPT Report 78, in response to the EC Mandate to CEPT about mm-wave bands above 24 GHz (40.5-43.5 GHz & 66-71 GHz) and is considered within the new future looking roadmap on '5G and beyond', launched at the 54th ECC Plenary meeting in November 2020.
3 Other relevant regulations (EC, ITU-R) related to WAS/RLAN
2400-2483.5 MHz
- 2013/752/EU - Commission Decision on harmonisation of the radio spectrum for use by short-range devices
- European Commission Recommendation on general authorisations in the 2.4 GHz band
- Report ITU-R M.2153 - provides relevant information on the applicable regulatory implementations for many countries worldwide.
- Recommendation ITU-R M.1896 - Global and Regional harmonisation of SRD frequency bands
5150-5350 MHz and 5470-5725 MHz
- 2005/513/EC - Commission Decision on the harmonised use of radio spectrum in the 5 GHz frequency band for the implementation of wireless access systems including radio local area networks (WAS/RLANs)
- 2007/90/EC - Commission Decision amending Decision 2005/513/EC on the harmonised use of radio spectrum in the 5 GHz frequency band for the implementation of Wireless Access Systems including Radio Local Area Networks (WAS/RLANs)
- ITU-R: the allocation of the 5150-5350 MHz and 5470-5725 MHz to the mobile service for the implementation of WAS/RLANs was made on a co-primary basis at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 (WRC-03). This allocation is under the conditions of the Radio Regulations Footnote 5.446A, which states that “The use of the bands 5150-5350 MHz and 5470-5725 MHz by the stations in the mobile, except aeronautical mobile, service shall be in accordance with Resolution 229 (Rev. WRC-19)”.
This Resolution 229 (Rev. WRC-19) specifies the conditions under which this allocation was made. Considering j) highlights the need for using mitigation techniques such as DFS in order to enable sharing with the radiodetermination service (radars). DFS is further specified in Resolves 9 that refers to Annex 1 and Annex 5 of of Recommendation ITU-R M.1652-1 for the details of the DFS requirements. Resolves 7 and 8 contain other requirements that contribute also to the protection of radars. Recognizing a) also states ‘that in the frequency band 5 600-5 650 MHz, ground-based meteorological radars are extensively deployed and support critical national weather services, according to footnote No. 5.452”. The DFS principle is recognisant of the fact that WAS/RLAN operating co-channel with a radar may interfere with the radar and therefore there is a need to avoid co-channel operation. To do so, the WAS/RLAN DFS mechanism has to perform radar signal detection on the channel it intends to use, prior to have any transmissions on that channel. If a radar signal is identified, then this channel becomes unavailable for use by the WAS/RLAN .
5945-6425 MHz
- (EU) 2021/1067 - Commission Implementing Decision of 17 June 2021 on the harmonised use of radio spectrum in the 5945-6425 MHz frequency band for the implementation of wireless access systems including radio local area networks (WAS/RLANs)
57-66 GHz
- 2013/752/EU - Commission Decision on harmonisation of the radio spectrum for use by short-range devices
- 2019/1345/EU - Commission Implementing Decision amending Decision 2006/771/EC updating harmonised technical conditions in the area of radio spectrum use for short-range devices
- Report ITU-R M.2153 - provides relevant information on the applicable regulatory implementations for many countries worldwide.
- ITU-R Recommendation F.1497: “Radio-frequency channel arrangements for fixed wireless systems operating in the band 55.78-66 GHz
4 Updated regulation for WAS/RLAN in the 5 GHz range
Under its agenda item 1.16, WRC-19 considered the issues related to wireless access systems, including radio local area networks (WAS/RLAN), in the frequency bands between 5150 MHz and 5925 MHz. This agenda item aimed to take the appropriate regulatory actions, including additional spectrum allocations to the mobile service, in accordance with Resolution 239 (WRC-15). The preparatory work for WRC-19 was conducted by the CPG, which adopted the CEPT Brief and ECPs for this agenda item. WRC-19 agreed that the existing global conditions in the 5150-5250 MHz band would be relaxed to allow indoor usage in trains and cars, as well as outdoor usage with certain limitations. It was also agreed that the band 5725-5850 MHz would be extended for use in certain countries outside of Europe.
Subsequently, the European Commission issued a mandate to CEPT "to amend Commission Decision 2005/513/EC on the harmonised use of radio spectrum in the 5 GHz frequency band for the implementation of Wireless Access Systems including Radio Local Area Networks (WAS/RLANs) following WRC-19". The Mandate was answered with CEPT Report 79 published by ECC#56 in July 2021, when the July 2021 revision of ECC/DEC/(04)08 was also published. The updated harmonised conditions in the 5 GHz band take into account the explanatory paper that ECC had already developed to clarify which frequency bands were possible for 5 GHz WAS/RLAN usage in vehicles.
In November 2021, the ECC#57 Plenary provided additional elements on the use of WAS/RLAN on board aircraft. In particular, ECC recommended that temporary operations would be allowed for large commercial aircraft in the ranges 5250-5350 MHz and 5470-5725 MHz (excluding 5600-5650 MHz), with an in-band maximum mean e.i.r.p. of 100 mW. The transition period should be limited until 31 December 2028.
WRC-19 revised Footnotes 5.447F and 5.450A and replaced references to Recommendations ITU-R M.1638-0 (system characteristics and interference criteria for radiodetermination services) and ITU-R RS.1632-0 (sharing in the band 5250-5350 MHz) with text referring to Resolution 229 (Rev.WRC-19) (use of the bands 5150-5250 MHz, 5250-5350 MHz and 5470-5725 MHz by the mobile service for the implementation of WAS/RLAN). CEPT requested ETSI to develop mitigation techniques for WAS/RLANs in the bands 5350 to 5470 MHz and 5725 to 5925 MHz.
Studies have also been performed in ECC Report 277 regarding the use of SRD applications in the band 5725-5875 MHz in cars equipped with 5.8 GHz road toll equipment. WAS/RLAN use is intended as based on the 5.8 GHz SRD regulation (max. 25 mW) as well as co-channel ITS communications (5855-5875 MHz); all applications operate under the existing SRD regulation.
4.1 National use of the 5725-5850 MHz band
In order to enable WAS/RLAN use on a national basis in the band 5725-5850 MHz, while ensuring the protection of road tolling systems, smart tachograph and radars, WGFM in october 2021 published ECC Report 330. This provides national administrations with guidance on suitable limitations for appropriate technical conditions, mitigation techniques and regulatory measures.
Also in October 2021 WG FM endorsed Guidance developed by FM57 on how to establish and manage the list of CEPT countries that either do or do not permit the use of the band 5725-5850 MHz or its sub-bands by WAS/RLAN for the purpose of Country Determination Capability (CDC) operation.
5 The regulatory framework for WAS/RLAN at 6 GHz
At is 44th Plenary meeting (28 February-3 March 2017), ECC agreed to task WG FM to study the technical and regulatory feasibility of harmonised introduction of low power WAS/RLANs in the band 5925-6425 MHz in response to the relevant EC Mandate to CEPT. The corresponding activities were carried out within Project Team FM57, which developed CEPT Report 73, published in March 2020, and CEPT Report 75, published in November 2020, on the “Harmonised technical parameters for WAS/RLANs operating on a coexistence basis with appropriate mitigation techniques and/or operational compatibility/coexistence conditions, operating on the basis of a general authorisation”. The related studies have been performed within Project Team SE45, which developed ECC Report 302 on sharing and compatibility studies for WAS/RLAN in the frequency band 5925-6425 MHz and ECC Report 316 on sharing studies assessing short-term interference from WAS/RLAN into Fixed Service.
Based on this work, the new ECC Decision (20)01 on the harmonised use of the frequency bands 5945-6425 MHz for the implementation of Wireless Access Systems including Radio Local Area Networks (WAS/RLANs) was agreed for publication in November 2020. The Commission Implementing Decision on the harmonised use of radio spectrum in the 5945-6425 MHz frequency band for the implementation of WAS including RLAN was also adopted in June 2021.
Currently, ECC is continuing its work to further study out-of-band (OOB) emissions from very low power (VLP) WAS/RLAN devices operating in the band 5945–6425 MHz. The purpose of this work is to protect urban rail Communication-Based Train Control systems that operate in certain cities in Europe, in the band 5915-5935 MHz. This work will also provide elements to respond, by June 2024, to the EC Mandate to CEPT to review the limit of OOB emissions below 5935 MHz applicable to VLP WAS/RLAN devices.
In November 2021, the ECC#57 Plenary adopted a work item for WG SE to study possible technical conditions under which WAS/RLANs could operate and coexist with existing services in the 6425-7125 MHz band, and any additional studies, dependent upon the CEPT position and the results of WRC-23. No regulatory action shall be taken under this work item.
6 WAS/RLANs operating in the 5 GHz range in vehicles and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) - Drones
The updated spectrum regulations for WAS/RLANs in the 5 GHz range in CEPT now addresses the usage of 5 GHz WAS/RLANs in vehicles. A similar update is also ongoing for the regulatory framework in the European Union. The updated ECC Decision (04)08, explains which frequency bands are possible for 5 GHz WAS/RLAN usage in vehicles and takes also into account the explanatory paper that ECC/WG FM had agreed and last revised in 2023. In particular, the 5150-5250 MHz band can be operated inside road vehicles, trains and aircraft. A maximum e.i.r.p. of 200 mW is allowed, except for installations inside road vehicles and inside train carriages with an attenuation loss on average of less than 12 dB, where 40 mW maximum e.i.r.p. applies.
In the light of all available information and in addition to the 2400-2483.5 MHz band, CEPT/ECC has concluded that the existing regulation for non-specific SRDs in 5725-5875 MHz according to Annex 1 (band “j”) to ERC/REC 70-03 appears to be the most appropriate way forward for operation of WAS/RLAN equipment in vehicles. The introduction in ERC Recommendation 70-03 already explains that ‘The conditions provided in the Annexes also apply for the use of SRD on-board aircraft, if such use is not explicitly excluded or restricted by sector-specific regulations in Recommendation 70-03 or other regulations”.
Another explanatory paper related to non-professional Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) use under general authorisations was agreed by WG FM in February 2018. ECC Decision (04)08 allows the use by UAS, limited to the 5170-5250 MHz.
The mentioned explanatory paper are also referenced in ERC Recommendation 70-03 and available in the EFIS database.
7.1 ECC activities
ECC Report 192 was published in 2014 addresses the issue of interference into meteorological radars in detail.
CEPT/ECC discussed in February 2017 the challenges provided by an increase of the number of interference events to meteorological radars in most European countries, due to non-compliant and illegal use of WAS/RLAN 5 GHz equipment.
According to the latest version of the harmonised standard ETSI EN 301 893, the user of the WAS/RLAN cannot change the software and hence DFS cannot be deactivated.
ECC agreed that the current situation is mainly a compliance and enforcement matter and not a consequence of any shortcomings in the Regulations or in the sharing mechanism in place. As a result, ECC identified in February 2017 a list of actions to be undertaken as found in Annex 14 of the ECC#44 Minutes.
In response to these identified actions, a range of activities has been performed within WG FM and its Project Team FM22, which in particular collects by means of a questionnaire to administrations the CEPT Annual Interference Statistics and Special Interference Cases. WG FM also invited administrations to provide relevant proposals on enforcement issues directly to FM22 meetings.
Project Team FM57 has developed in 2021 a set of possible options that consider different kind of actions that could help to alleviate the issue of interference from 5 GHz WAS/RLAN into meteorological radars operating at 5600-5650 MHz. Possible advantages and disadvantages of the considered options have been highlighted, without specifically addressing which option could be supported by administrations. These options are non-exclusive of each other, and that different options might be chosen by different administrations. The issue is essentially about enforcement and non-compliant equipment. Collaboration and exchange of experiences shall be continued. ECC has forwarded the developed options to the European Commission.
7.2 Information from national administrations
- Germany: information on non-compliant radio equipment, including 5 GHz WAS/RLANs: Link
- Hungary: information on non-compliant radio equipment, including 5 GHz WAS/RLANs: Link
- France: information leaflet to 5 GHz WAS/RLAN users on the relevant technical and regulatory conditions: Link. It addresses the issue of interference from 5 GHz RLANs into meteorological radars.
