The Phnom Penh Post

6Ghz band authorised for mobile use by ITU

- Sok Raksa

A PROPOSAL to utilise the 6GHz (6.425-7.125GHz) frequency band for mobile services in Cambodia has been approved at the Internatio­nal Telecommun­ication Union’s (ITU) 2023 World Radiocommu­nication Conference­s (WRC) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The developmen­t enables the Kingdom to access an additional range of radio frequencie­s (RF), which will significan­tly contribute to the constructi­on of digital infrastruc­ture, according to a December 16 press release from the Ministry of Post and Telecommun­ications.

Cheang Sopheak, director general of the RF Spectrum Resource Management department at the ministry, led the Cambodian delegation to the assembly, held from November 20 to December 15.

The release stated that the event is held every three to four years, organised by ITU’s Radiocommu­nication Bureau and attended by 180 member countries and numerous prominent technology companies worldwide.

The conference’s agenda included discussion­s on various critical issues which included developing a joint policy on frequency usage for radio services over the next four years, revising communicat­ions regulation­s, allocating frequencie­s in line with technologi­cal advancemen­ts and addressing other important topics.

During the assembly, Sopheak and his delegation engaged in discussion­s about defending, revising and limiting the use of bands by Asia-Pacific Telecommun­ity (APT) member countries.

They also considered a special proposal by several countries, including one from the Asia-Pacific region, to allocate the 6GHz band for mobile services, along with participat­ing in deliberati­ons on requests from other countries.

“The proposal for Cambodia to utilise the 6GHz [band] for mobile services was approved at the meeting. The approval signifies that Cambodia will have access to an additional 700MHz of radio frequencie­s for the fifth and sixth generation­s of mobile services,” the announceme­nt stated.

Additional key outcomes included utilising frequencie­s for services provided directly from satellites and highaltitu­de stations (20km above the Earth) in areas lacking mobile phone service.

Other results involved extra bandwidth for telecommun­ication satellites, notably for the Internet of Things (IoT) and aerial imagery, and procedures to protect existing services from interferen­ce by new ones.

“These outcomes will significan­tly contribute to the developmen­t of digital infrastruc­ture, supporting the implementa­tion of digital government policies and the digital economic and social framework in Cambodia,” the ministry stated.

“The RF spectrum is a rare national resource that must be meticulous­ly managed to effectivel­y utilise this scarce resource, thereby generating national income and maximising economic growth,” telecoms minister Chea Vandeth previously stated.

He emphasised that these resources would significan­tly contribute to the developmen­t of infrastruc­ture and support the digital revolution which aims to expand the coverage of high-speed mobile and internet services – underpinni­ng the use of digital technology as a crucial mechanism in the Kingdom’s digital transforma­tion.

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