Towards a Future-Proof International Spectrum Policy?

This chapter illustrates the challenges inherent to international spectrum management and how it may change in the future. It explores the choice between licensed and unlicensed and is followed by a discussion of flexibility versus harmonisation. The chapter describes the procedures used within World Radiocommunications Conferences that decide on which policy option is adopted. The licensed versus unlicensed debate is a major part of the spectrum management corundum, where, in the former, certainty for investment and protection against interference are major advantages. The issue of spectrum identification for railway radiocommunication systems between train and trackside (RSTT) was discussed during WRC-19, with two views emerging. Regarding Massive machine-type communication (MTC) systems, WRC-19 addressed the possible harmonised use of spectrum to support the implementation of narrowband and broadband machine-type communication infrastructures.