EN    EN EN  
EN    EN  COMMISSION OF THE E UROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels,  
C (2008)  
  
Draft 
COMMISSION DECISION 
of […] 
on the harmonisation of the 2500-2690 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems 
capable of providing electronic communi cations services in the Community  
EN  
EN 2   EN  Draft  
COMMISSION DECISION 
of […] 
on the harmonisation of the 2500-2690 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems 
capable of providing electronic comm unications services in the Community   
 
(Text with EEA relevance) 
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty esta blishing the European Community, 
Having regard to Decision No 676/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 
7 March 2002 on a regulatory framework for radio spectrum policy in the European 
Community (Radio Spectrum Decision)1 , and in particular Ar ticle 4(3) thereof, 
Whereas: (1) The Commission has supported a more flexib le use of spectrum in its Communication 
on "Rapid access to spectrum for wireless electronic communications services through 
more flexibility"
2, which inter alia  addresses the 2500-2690 MHz band. Technological 
neutrality and service neutrality have been underlined by Member States in the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) opinion on Wireless Access Policy for Electronic 
Communications Services (WAP ECS) of 23 November 2005 as important policy goals 
to achieve a more flexible use of spectrum.  Moreover, according to this opinion, these 
policy goals should not be introduced abr uptly, but in a gradual manner to avoid 
disruption of the market.  
(2) The designation of the 2500-2690 MHz ba nd for systems capable of providing 
electronic communications se rvices is an important element addressing the 
convergence of the mobile, fixed and broa dcasting sectors and reflecting technical 
innovation. The services provided in this frequency band should mainly target end-
user access to broadband communications. 
(3) It is expected that the wireless broadba nd electronic communications services for 
which the 2500 – 2690 MHz band is  to be designate d will to a large extent be pan-
European in the sense that users of such electronic communicati ons services in one 
Member State could also gain access to equiva lent services in any other Member State.  
                                                
 
1 OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, p. 1. 
2 COM(2007)50.  
EN 3   EN (4) Pursuant to Article 4(2) of Decisi on 676/2002/EC, on 5 July 2006 the Commission 
gave a mandate to the Eu ropean Conference of Post al and Telecommunications 
Administrations (hereinafter the “CEPT”) to develop least restrictive technical 
conditions for frequency bands addr essed in the context of WAPECS. 
(5) In response to that mandate, the CEPT ha s issued a report (CEPT Report 19) on least 
restrictive technical conditi ons for frequency bands addr essed in the context of 
WAPECS. This report contai ns technical conditions and guidance for the application 
of least restrictive conditions to base stati ons and terminal stations operating in the 
2500-2690 MHz band, which are appropriate to manage the risk of harmful 
interference within as well as outside of na tional territories, without  requiring that any 
type of particular technology is used, ba sed on optimised parameters for the most 
likely use of the band. 
(6) In accordance with CEPT Report 19 this De cision introduces the concept of Block 
Edge Masks (BEM), which are technical para meters that apply to the entire block of 
spectrum of a specific user, irrespective of the number of channels occupied by the 
user's chosen technology. These masks are in tended to form part of the authorisation 
conditions for spectrum usage. They cover both emissions within the block of spectrum (i.e. in-block power) as well as em issions outside the bl ock (i.e. out-of-block 
emission). They are regulatory requirements  aimed at managing th e risk of harmful 
interference between neighbouri ng networks and are without prejudice to limits set in 
equipment standards under Directive 1999/5/EC of the European Parl iament and of the 
Council of 9 March 1999 on radio equipmen t and telecommunications terminal 
equipment and the mutual rec ognition of thei r conformity (the R&TTE Directive )
3. 
(7) The designation and making available of the 2500-2690 MHz band in accordance with 
the results of the mandate to CEPT recogni ses the fact that there are other existing 
applications. Appropriate sharing criteria for coexistence between some systems have 
been developed in the El ectronic Communications Co mmittee's ECC Report 45. For 
other systems and services appropriate shar ing criteria for coexistence may be based 
on national considerations. 
(8) To achieve compatibility a separation of 5 MHz is needed between the edges of 
spectrum blocks used for unrestricted T DD (time division duplex) and FDD operation 
(frequency division duplex) or  in the case of two unsynchr onised networks operating 
in TDD mode. Such separation should be achieved by either leaving these 5 MHz 
blocks unused as guard blocks; or through us age that complies with parameters of the 
restricted BEM when adjacent to an FDD (uplink) or between two TDD blocks; or through usage that complies with parameters of  either restricted or unrestricted BEMs 
when adjacent to an FDD (downlink) bl ock. Any usage of a 5 MHz guard block is 
subject to an increased risk of interference. 
(9) The results of the mandate to the CEPT s hould be made applicab le in the Community 
and implemented by the Member States  without delay given the increasing 
requirements identified in studies at Eur opean and global levels for terrestrial 
electronic communications services  providing broadband communications. 
                                                
 
3 OJ L 91, 7.4.1999, p. 10. Directive as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1).  
EN 4   EN (10) Harmonisation under this Decision should not exclude the possibility for a Member 
State to apply, where justified, transitional periods that could include radio spectrum sharing arrangements, pursuant to Articl e 4(5) of the Radio Spectrum Decision. 
(11) In order to ensure effective use of th e 2500-2690 MHz band also in the longer term, 
administrations should continue with studi es that may increase efficiency and 
innovative use. Such studies should be ta ken into account when considering a review 
of this Decision. 
(12) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the 
Radio Spectrum Committee. 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
This Decision aims at harmonising the conditions for the availability and efficient use of the 
2500-2690 MHz band for terrestrial systems capable of providi ng electronic communications 
services in the Community. 
Article 2 
(1) No later than 6 months after entry into force of this Decision Member States shall 
designate and subsequently make availa ble, on a non-exclusi ve basis, the 2500-
2690MHz band for terrestrial systems capable  of providing electronic communications 
services, in compliance with the parameters  set out in the Anne x to this Decision. 
(2) By way of derogation from paragraph 1, Member States may request transitional 
periods that may include radio spectrum shar ing arrangements, pursuant to Article 4(5) 
of Decision 676/2002/EC. 
(3) Member States shall ensure that systems re ferred to in paragra ph 1 give appropriate 
protection to systems in adjacent bands.  
Article 3 
Member States shall keep the use of the 2500-2690 MHz band under scrutiny and report their 
findings to the Commission to  allow regular and timely review of this Decision. 
Article 4 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels, […] 
 For the Commission 
 Member of the Commission  
EN 5   EN ANNEX  
Parameters referred to in Article 2  
The following technical parameters called Block Edge Mask (BEM) shall be applied as an 
essential component of conditions necessary to ensure co-existence  in the absence of bilateral 
or multilateral agreements between neighbouring networks, without precluding less stringent 
technical parameters if agreed among the operato rs of such networks. Member States should 
ensure that network operators are free to enter into bilateral or multilateral agreements to 
develop less stringent technical parameters and, if  agreed among all affected parties, these less 
stringent technical para meters may be used.  
Equipment operating in this band may also make  use of equivalent is otropically radiated 
power (e.i.r.p.) limits other than those set out below provided that appropriate mitigation 
techniques are applied which comply with Dire ctive 1999/5/EC and which offer at least an 
equivalent level of protection to that  provided by these technical parameters. 
A) General parameters: 
(1) The assigned blocks shall be  in multiple of 5.0 MHz.  
(2) Within the band 2500 – 2690 MHz, the duplex spacing for FDD operation shall be 120 
MHz with terminal station transmission (up link) located in the lower part of the band starting at 2500 MHz (extendi ng to a maximum limit of 25 70 MHz) and base station 
transmission (down link) located in the upper part of the band st arting at 2620 MHz.  
(3) The sub-band 2570 – 2620 MHz can be used by TDD or other usage modes complying 
with the BEMs in this annex. Outside of  the sub-band 2570 – 2620 MHz such usage 
can be decided at national level and shall be in equal parts in both the upper part of the 
band starting at 2690 MHz (ext ending downwards) and the lower part of the band 
starting at 2570 MHz (extending downwards). 
B) Unrestricted BEM for Base Stations: 
The BEM for an unrestricted spectrum block is built up by combining Tables 1, 2 and 3 in 
such a way that the limit for each frequency is  given by the higher valu e out of the baseline 
requirements and the block specific requirements.  
Frequency range in which out-of-block 
emissions are received Maximum mean e.i.r.p.  
(integrated over a 1 MHz bandwidth) 
Frequencies allocated to FDD down link and +/- 5 
MHz outside the range of frequency blocks 
allocated to FDD down link. + 4 dBm/MHz 
Frequencies in the band 2500-2690 MHz not 
covered by the definition above. – 45 dBm/MHz 
Table 1: Baseline requirements - Base  Station out-of-block e.i.r.p. BEM 
Maximum in-block e.i.r.p.  + 61 dBm/5MHz 
Note: Member States can relax this limit to 68dBm/ 5MHz for specific deployments e.g. in areas of 
low population density provided that this does not si gnificantly increase the risk of terminal station 
receiver blocking. 
Table 2: Block specific requirements - Base Station in-block e.i.r.p. BEM 
EN 6   EN Offset from relevant block ed ge Maximum mean e.i.r.p. 
 
Start of band (2500MHz) to -5 MHz (lower edge) Baseline requirement level 
 – 5.0 to –1.0 MHz (lower edge)  + 4 dBm/ MHz 
 – 1.0 to –0.2 MHz (lower edge)  + 3 + 15( ∆F + 0.2) dBm/30kHz 
 – 0.2 to 0.0 MHz (lower edge)  + 3 dBm/30kHz 
 0.0 to +0.2 MHz (upper edge)  + 3 dBm/30kHz 
 + 0.2 to +1.0 MHz (upper edge)  + 3 – 15( ∆F – 0.2) dBm/30kHz 
 + 1.0 to +5.0 MHz (upper edge)  + 4 dBm/ MHz 
+ 5.0 MHz (upper edge) to end of band (2690 MHz) Baseline requirement level 
Where: ∆F is the frequency offset from the relevant block edge (in MHz) 
Table 3: Block specific requirements - Ba se Station out-of-block e.i.r.p. BEM 
C) Restricted BEM for Base Stations: 
The BEM for a restricted spectrum block is built up by combining Tables 1 and 4 in such a 
way that the limit for each frequency is gi ven by the higher value out of the baseline 
requirements and the block specific requirements.  
Maximum in-block e.i.r.p. + 25 dBm/5MHz 
Table 4: Block specific requirements - Base St ation in-block e.i.r.p. BEM for restricted 
block 
D) Restricted BEM for Base Stations wi th restrictions on antenna placement: 
In cases where antennas are placed indoors or where the antenna height is below a certain 
height, a Member State may use alternative parame ters in line with Table 5, provided that at 
geographical borders to other Me mber States Table 1 applies a nd that Table 4 remains valid 
nationwide.  
Offset from relevant block ed ge Maximum mean e.i.r.p. 
 
Start of band (2500MHz) to -5 MHz (lower edge) – 22 dBm/ MHz 
 – 5.0 to –1.0 MHz (lower edge) – 18 dBm/ MHz 
 – 1.0 to –0.2 MHz (lower edge) – 19 + 15( ∆F + 0.2) dBm/30kHz 
 – 0.2 to 0.0 MHz (lower edge) – 19 dBm/30kHz 
 0.0 to +0.2 MHz (upper edge) – 19 dBm/30kHz 
 + 0.2 to +1.0 MHz (upper edge) – 19 - 15( ∆F - 0.2) dBm/30kHz 
 + 1.0 to +5.0 MHz (upper edge) – 18 dBm/ MHz 
+ 5.0 MHz (upper edge) to end of band (2690 MHz) – 22 dBm/ MHz 
Where: ∆F is the frequency offset from the relevant block edge (in MHz)  
EN 7   EN Table 5: Block specific requirements - Ba se Station out-of-block e.i.r.p. BEM for 
restricted block with additional restrictions on antenna placement 
E) Limits for Terminal Stations: 
 Maximum mean power  
(including Automatic Transmitter Power 
Control (ATPC) range)  
Total Radiated Power (TRP) 31 dBm/5MHz 
E.i.r.p. 35 dBm/5MHz 
Note: E.i.r.p. should be used for fixed or insta lled Terminal Stations and the TRP should be used 
for the mobile or nomadic Terminal Stations. TR P is a measure of how much power the antenna 
actually radiates. The TRP is defined as the integral  of the power transmitted in different directions 
over the entire radiation sphere. 
Table 6: In-block power limits for Terminal Stations