5G is…
The 5G technology is the successor of earlier generations of mobile technology, i.e.:
- 2G: this allows to have mobile conversations and to send short text messages;
- 3G: 2G may have paved the way for using the Internet over a mobile phone, but that was not the initial intention. 3G aimed at launching mobile Internet. This technology introduced faster data links for Internet use on a mobile device;
- 4G: 4G connections can reach speeds of more than 100 Mbps, which for instance enables watching videos on the go;
- 5G is tens of times faster than 4G, but that is not the only aspect. It allows far more simultaneous users on the network and the connections will be more stable and reliable than is the case today. What’s more, thanks to the 5G technology a much larger number of wireless devices can be connected with a latency of a couple of milliseconds, opening the door for many new applications.
Frequency bands
5G is not only deployed in new frequency bands such as 700 MHz and 3600 MHz, but also in the same ones used for the existing 3G and 4G networks. In accordance with the principle of technological neutrality (imposed by the European Directives), the operators having obtained user rights in a given frequency band are free to decide which technology (2G, 3G, 4G or 5G) they use in that band.
However, Europe has identified 3 “pioneer bands” that will be used for 5G all over the EU. This means that 5G equipment can be manufactured that operates on the same frequencies anywhere in Europe. The following frequency bands are concerned:
- The 700 MHz band: this frequency band is suitable for providing coverage of larger areas. As the transmitters in this frequency band have a rather substantial range, devices at a greater distance from the antennas can also access the network. This frequency band is suitable for e.g. Internet of Things applications but not for services requiring high data speeds;
- The 3600 MHz band: at the European level this band is considered to be the main band allowing a large-scale implementation of 5G. This band has a much larger bandwidth availability than the 700 MHz band. The data speed is higher, which makes this frequency band suited not only for various industrial applications but for customer services as well;
- The 26 GHz band: This frequency band has the highest speeds. This band arouses little interest in Belgium and is not made available yet.
In addition to those pioneer bands, the 1400 MHz band is also proposed for 5G. It offers more download capacity (SDL).
Licences - 5G user rights auction
As the regulator of the electronic communications market, the BIPT manages the electromagnetic radio frequency spectrum. In that capacity, the BIPT grants user rights for radio frequencies entirely or partially used for electronic communications services offered to the public. The radio frequencies are distributed in a manner that guarantees they are used as efficiently as possible.
The same goes for the frequency bands that are used for 5G.
During the “multiband auction”, closed on 20 July 2022, rights of use were allocated in the following frequency bands:
- the bands initially used for 2G and 3G: 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz;
- the new bands used for 5G: 700 MHz, 3600 MHz, 1400 MHz.
Privacy and network security
5G networks have a less centralised architecture and have more potential access points. In order to ensure the security of 5G networks, a 5G toolbox has been approved at the European level. That toolbox presents all risks found following a coordinated EU assessment and includes technical and strategic measures, as well as corresponding actions in order to guarantee safety.
The regulatory framework includes several obligations regarding security, such as the NIS2 Act or the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act. For 5G, Belgium has also introduced a screening mechanism in the form of a ministerial authorisation. More details are available.