Country launching 3.8GHz-4.2GHz Dynamic Spectrum Management & Sharing pilot

The Netherlands’ Telecommunications Agency (Agentschap Telecom [AT], soon to be renamed the National Inspectorate for Digital Infrastructure [Rijksinspectie Digitale Infrastructuur]) is launching a ‘Dynamic Spectrum Management & Sharing’ (DSMS) pilot in the 3.8GHz-4.2GHz frequency band with the Dutch Trade Association of Major Telecom Users (BTG), Schiphol Airport and satellite communications operator Speedcast in Biddinghuizen. Nokia and the Finnish research institute VTT are also involved. The pilot was commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate Policy.

AT notes that the DSMS pilot will explore new methods that can allow local private (industrial) networks to exist in the 3.8GHz-4.2GHz band, without interference of the reception by satellite ground stations. With the test results, the agency aims to create possibilities for new methods in European regulation for frequency allocation.

Testing will take place with two users in the 3.8GHz-4.2GHz band: a local 5G network at Schiphol Airport and the satellite ground station in Biddinghuizen. Under certain atmospheric conditions, a local network can cause incidental interference on the reception of satellite signals even in case of low power from a large distance. Therefore, a large protection zone applies around satellite ground stations. With the DSMS pilot, the parties involved want to demonstrate that with new technology, such a large zone is not necessary. The first results of the pilot are expected by mid-2023.