On July 14th, the European Commission adopted a decision on the harmonized use of radio spectrum in the 5 GHz frequency band, for the implementation of wireless access systems (WAS), including radio local area networks (RLANs).
This Commission decision, which aims at harmonizing the conditions for the availability and efficient use of these frequencies, requires all the Member States of the European Union to make available until October 31st 2005 the 5.150-5.350 GHz and 5.470-5.725 GHz frequency bands, for the implementation of WAS/RLANs. This availability should respect, among others, the following conditions:
- In the 5.150-5.350 GHz frequency band, the use of WAS/RLANs should be restricted to indoor use, with a maximum e.i.r.p. (equivalent isotropically radiated power) of 200 mW and with the following maximum e.i.r.p. densities: 0.25 mW/25 kHz for each 25 kHz, in the 5.150-5.250 GHz band; and 10 mW/MHz for each 1 MHz, in the 5.250-5.350 GHz band;
- In the 5.470-5.725 GHz frequency band, the indoor and outdoor use of WAS/RLANs will have to be restricted to a maximum e.i.r.p. of 1 W, with a maximum e.i.r.p. density of 50 mW/MHz for each 1 MHz band.
The Member States are required to use mitigation techniques in the implementation of WAS/RLANs on these bands, including, among others, the application of transmitter power control (TPC) and of dynamic frequency selection (DFS). They should also revise these techniques on a periodical basis, with report to the European Commission.
European Commission decision on the harmonized use of radio spectrum in the 5 GHz frequency band, for the implementation of Wireless Access Systems including Radio Local Area Networks (WAS/RLANs) – C(2005) 2467http://europa.eu.int/information_society/policy/radio_spectrum/docs/ref_info/5ghz_com_decision/5ghz_com_dec_en.pdf.
