The WRC-27 Advisory Committee (WAC), set up by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the US, has offered two possible positions regarding 6G spectrum. The group presented the alternative views at an FCC meeting on Monday.

According to Daudeline Meme, chair of the working group focussed on mobile and fixed services and VP at Verizon, there was not a consensus on how to approach study item 1.7, approved at last year’s WRC. This item considers the frequency bands 4.4-4.8 GHz, 7.125-8.400 MHz, and 14.8-15.35 GHz for 6G.

“There were extensive discussions via email and offline meetings, as well as a meeting to discuss these alternative options, and in particular, the meaning of employing coexistence mechanisms to safeguard incumbent operations,” she said.

In the end, the working group decided to present both options for the FCC:

• Alternative 1: The United States supports the sharing and compatibility studies called for in Resolution 256 (WRC-23), with a view to ensure the protection of services to which the frequency bands are allocated on a primary basis, including in adjacent bands, as appropriate. Based on these studies, the United States supports appropriate action at WRC-27.

• Alternative 2: The United States supports the sharing and compatibility studies called for in Resolution 256 (WRC-23), with a view to ensure the protection of services to which the frequency bands are allocated on a primary basis, including in adjacent bands, as appropriate. The United States supports appropriate action at WRC-27 where studies demonstrate coexistence mechanisms can be employed to safeguard incumbent operations and can ensure that such an identification to IMT would not impose additional regulatory or technical constraints on those incumbent services.

While the final version of the US position is still uncertain, the second alternative seemed to be favoured during the FCC meeting.

Scott Kotler, a Director at Lockheed Martin and one of the WAC members, took the floor to support option two.

“Agenda item 1.7 is critical to the US aerospace and defence industry to innovate and meet the needs and demands of existing services while also exploring innovative opportunities for new wireless services,” he said.

“Alternative 2 is based on the national spectrum strategy and the White House 6G Principles for its guiding policy on what the US would not support at WRC-27,” Kotler added. Two other members voiced their support for this option.

The report, including both alternatives, was approved and will serve as advice for the FCC, which will make a final decision.