World Radiocommunication 
Conference 2015
(WRC-15)
Presentation to the FCC Open Meeting
December 17, 2015
World Radiocommunication 
Conferences
• Held every 3 to 4 years by the ITU; Next WRC is 2019
• Updates the Radio Regulations (treaty text)
o International Table of Allocations
o Notification Procedures
o Administrative and Operational Procedures
• Adopts Resolutions
• Over 25 agenda items
2
WRC-15 Outcomes
• Region 2 (the Americas) made great strides in identifying spectrum for 
International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT).
o The United States will have access to more than 619 MHz of spectrum, although we do 
not intend to use it all at this time.  
• The U.S. achieved its goals on public protection and disaster relief, 
automotive radars, unmanned aircraft systems, and global flight tracking.
• Emerging trends from WRC-15:
o Global allocations are increasingly challenging.
o Identifying spectrum on a regional basis may be more realistic.
o Incumbent services have a strong voice and show little flexibility in considering 
spectrum sharing mechanisms. 
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Region 2
Americas
Region 3
Asia Pacific
Region 1
Europe/Middle East/Africa
U
H
F
470-
698 MHz
228 MHz by Country 
Footnote Allocation
(7 countries)
228 MHz by Country
Footnote Allocation
(8 Countries)
WRC-23 Agenda Item
C
-
B
a
n
d
3.4-3.7 
GHz
200 MHz Region-Wide
+100 MHz Canada, Colombia, 
Costa Rica, U.S.
200 MHz by Country 
Footnote Allocation
(12 countries)
200 MHz Region-Wide
L
-
B
a
n
d
1427-1518 
MHz
91 MHz Region-Wide 51 MHz Region-Wide
51 MHz Region-Wide
40 MHz by Country 
Footnote Allocation
3.3-
3.4 GHz
100 MHz
(6 Countries)
100 MHz
(6 Countries)
100 MHz
(33 countries in Africa)
WRC-15 Agenda Item 1.1 Comparison
4
Additional Positive Outcomes
Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR)
• WRC adopted a regulatory framework for PPDR applications that will pave the way for 
harmonization of spectrum in the 700-800 MHz range globally.
Automotive Radars
• WRC approved an allocation for short-range radars in the 78 GHz range.  This will enable 
radars in automobiles to help avoid traffic accidents and save lives.  Radars also have use in 
aviation, helping to prevent on-the-ground collisions between aircraft.
Global Flight Tracking
• WRC allocated spectrum to enable beyond line-of-sight transmissions to facilitate reporting the 
position of aircraft anywhere in the world.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
• WRC approved the use of select fixed satellite service links for command and control of long-
range UAS. 5
Looking Ahead to WRC-19
5G Above 6 GHz
• WRC-19 Agenda Item calls for studying additional bands above 6 GHz for 
expanded mobile broadband capacity.
• The 11 candidate ranges identified by the WRC have some overlap with 
the FCC’s Spectrum Frontiers bands:
o 37-40 GHz 
o 66-71 GHz
• The 28 GHz band was not identified for study at the ITU. 
o Countries can move forward without the ITU because the band has a global primary 
mobile allocation.
o 8 countries joined with U.S. in stating that they would pursue studies in the 28 GHz 
band.  
6
81-
24.25-27.5 31.8-33.4 37-40.5 40.5-42.5
45.5-47
47-47.2
47.2-50.2
50.4-52.6
64-71
Band Overlap 
Between 
37-40 GHz
Band Overlap 
Between 
66-71 GHz
GHz
FCC
ITU
Study
5G Above 6 GHz: 
ITU 5G Study Bands v. FCC Spectrum Frontiers Bands
42.5-43.5
66-76 81-86
27.5-28.35 37-38.6 38.6-40
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Looking Ahead to WRC-19
Other Issues
• Radio Local Area Network (RLANS):  WRC-19 will consider studies related 
to RLANS (WiFi networks) within the 5 GHz band. 
o Includes 120 MHz the U.S. identified as a priority, and additional 400 MHz.
• High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS):  WRC-19 will consider spectrum 
allocations for HAPS, which will enable lower-cost delivery of bandwidth for 
developing economies and remote areas around the globe.
• Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS):  As a follow-
up to WRC-15 work on Global Flight Tracking, WRC-19 will comprehensively 
explore further technological and regulatory needs for flight tracking and 
management. 
• Additional Spectrum for Fixed Satellite Service (FSS): WRC-19 will 
study bands for possible allocation to FSS. 8
FCC WRC Team
Mindel De La Torre Bob Nelson
Julie Knapp Kathy O’Brien
Donna Christianson Larry Olson
Chip Fleming Sankar Persaud
Carlos Flores Alex Roytblat
Dante Ibarra Allen Yang
Michael Mullinix
With special thanks to Chairman Wheeler, Diane Cornell,
Commissioner O’Rielly and Erin McGrath
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