China launches consultation on 5G spectrum

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is launching a consultation regarding the planning and use of millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum for the development of 5G networks.

The MIIT is seeking industry advise on the planning and use of the 24.75-27.5GHz, 37-42.5GHz and other millimeter-wave bands, which “will be key spectrum for 5G systems”, the regulator said in a notice posted on Thursday.

The public consultation is intended to collect feedback from the industry on such aspects as suggestions regarding the deployment status of the proposed frequency bands, future planning on the use of these bands for 5G system; the key technical problems (including RF devices, chips, test and measurement, etc.) for the deployment of these frequency bands, as well as feasible solutions and a spectrum roadmap.

It also aims to identify any compatibility and co-existence issues between 5G networks on these bands and other wireless systems in adjacent bands.

The consultation will close on August 7.

Earlier the MIIT also launched a public consultation on the use of the 3300-3600MHz and 4800-5000MHz bands for 5G. The consultation released on Tuesday and to be closed on July 7, hints that China will allocate 3300-3600MHz and 4800-5000MHz spectrum for the deployment of 5G.

While the MIIT has not yet announced the exact timeline for the release of 5G spectrum, the country’s three mobile operators China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom have announced plans for 5G trials, in preparation of a commercial launch in 2020.

China Mobile, for instance, announced at Mobile World Congress in February that the operator will launch large-scale pre-commercial 5G trials in China in 2019.