French telecommunications regulator Arcep has announced new rules supporting its plan to clear the 1.5 GHz band (1427–1517 MHz) for the future provision of 5G services.
Known as the L-band, this spectrum band is currently being used for point-to-point backhaul links on public and professional mobile networks, while also being exploited by the Interior and Defense ministries.
A consultation on the spectrum release was published in July 2018 recommending that licenses in this band for fixed service point-to-point (microwave) links could not extend beyond 2022. The objective set at the European level is to make it available for mobile networks by 2023.
