The implementing decisions mostly concern harmonisation, while others deal with specific frequency bands for specific purposes, in addition to limits on signal strength and harmful interference where applicable. EU countries are responsible for radio spectrum management, and the amendments reflect how European and international harmonisation and technical agreements have evolved.
The ‘DECT’ directive designates the 1 880-1 900 MHz frequency band for digital cordless communications by 1 January 1992 and obliges EU countries to bring into force the necessary national laws, regulations and administrative rules.

KEY POINTS

The decisions

The implementing decisions cover radio equipment devices that are operated through general authorisation or on an unlicensed or shared basis by end-users. This includes radio local access network devices (wi-fi) devices which have shown massive growth in demand for radio spectrum, as acknowledged in the 2018 European Electronic Communications Code.

Many of these acts are harmonisation decisions. Others deal with frequency bands for different purposes, such as a huge variety of short range devices, Internet of Things (IoT) equipment, ultra-wide band equipment, alarms, door openers, medical implants, intelligent transport systems, radio frequency identification devices (RFID), radio determination, ground probing, and new types of machine-to-machine devices, as well as equipment for programme making and special events (PMSE) such as wireless video links or microphones and digital cordless telephones.

A further general authorisation band relates to vehicle safety, in particular to the operation of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).

The various implementing decisions cover the following radio spectrum, in addition to limits on signal strength and harmful interference where applicable:

the 5 GHz frequency band (5 150-5 350 MHz and 5 470-5 725 MHz) for wireless access systems, including radio local area networks (WAS/RLANs – wi-fi broadband);
the 3 400-3 800 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems for ‘fixed, nomadic and mobile electronic communications networks’;
the 5 875-5 935 MHz frequency band for safety-related applications of Intelligent Transport Systems;
the radio spectrum for use by short-range devices;
the 24 GHz range radio spectrum band for the time-limited use by automotive short-range radar equipment;
radio spectrum use by wireless audio programme-making and special events equipment;
the 2 010-2 025 MHz frequency band for portable or mobile wireless video links and cordless cameras used for programme making and special events;
the 900 MHz and 1 800 MHz frequency bands for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in relation to the Internet of Things;
radio spectrum for use by short-range devices within the 874-876 and 915-921 MHz frequency bands;
radio spectrum for equipment using ultra-wideband technology, such as vehicle and aircraft location tracking.

Directive 91/287/EEC

The directive obliges EU countries to designate the 1 880-1 900 MHz frequency band for digital cordless communications by 1 January 1992.

FROM WHEN DO THE DIRECTIVE AND DECISIONS APPLY?

Legislation	Application date
Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/179	10 February 2022
Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/173	9 February 2022
Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1426	8 October 2020
Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/785	16 May 2019
Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1538	12 October 2018
Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/2077	13 November 2017
Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1483	10 August 2017
Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/339	9 March 2016
Implementing Decision 2014/641/EU	2 September 2014
Implementing Decision 2013/752/EU	12 December 2013
Implementing Decision 2011/829/EU	9 December 2011
Implementing Decision 2011/485/EU	1 August 2011
Decision 2010/368/EU	1 July 2010
Decision 2009/381/EC	14 May 2009
Decision 2008/411/EC	21 May 2008
Directive 91/287/EEC	5 June 1991

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

Radio spectrum: the basis of wireless communications (European Commission)
New EU telecom rules: boosting connectivity and better protecting users (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/179 of 8 February 2022 on the harmonised use of radio spectrum in the 5 GHz frequency band for the implementation of wireless access systems including radio local area networks and repealing Decision 2005/513/EC (notified under document C(2022) 628) (OJ L 29, 10.2.2022, pp. 10–16).

Successive amendments to Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/179 have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/173 of 7 February 2022 on the harmonisation of the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Union and repealing Decision 2009/766/EC (notified under document C(2022) 605) (OJ L 28, 9.2.2022, pp. 29–39).

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1426 of 7 October 2020 on the harmonised use of radio spectrum in the 5 875-5 935 MHz frequency band for safety-related applications of intelligent transport systems (ITS) and repealing Decision 2008/671/EC (OJ L 328, 9.10.2020, pp. 19–23).

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/785 of 14 May 2019 on the harmonisation of radio spectrum for equipment using ultra-wideband technology in the Union and repealing Decision 2007/131/EC (OJ L 127, 16.5.2019, pp. 23–33).

See consolidated version.

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1538 of 11 October 2018 on the harmonisation of radio spectrum for use by short-range devices within the 874-876 and 915-921 MHz frequency bands (OJ L 257, 15.10.2018, pp. 57–63).

See consolidated version.

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/2077 of 10 November 2017 amending Decision 2005/50/EC on the harmonisation of the 24 GHz range radio spectrum band for the time-limited use by automotive short-range radar equipment in the Community (OJ L 295, 14.11.2017, pp. 75–76).

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1483 of 8 August 2017 amending Decision 2006/771/EC on harmonisation of the radio spectrum for use by short-range devices and repealing Decision 2006/804/EC (OJ L 214, 18.8.2017, pp. 3–27).

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/339 of 8 March 2016 on the harmonisation of the 2 010-2 025 MHz frequency band for portable or mobile wireless video links and cordless cameras used for programme making and special events (OJ L 63, 10.3.2016, pp. 5–8).

Commission Implementing Decision 2014/641/EU of 1 September 2014 on harmonised technical conditions of radio spectrum use by wireless audio programme making and special events equipment in the Union (OJ L 263, 3.9.2014, pp. 29–34).

Commission Implementing Decision 2013/752/EU of 11 December 2013 amending Decision 2006/771/EC on harmonisation of the radio spectrum for use by short-range devices and repealing Decision 2005/928/EC (OJ L 334, 13.12.2013, pp. 17–36).

Commission Implementing Decision 2011/829/EU of 8 December 2011 amending Decision 2006/771/EC on harmonisation of the radio spectrum for use by short-range (OJ L 329, 13.12.2011, pp. 10–18).

Commission Implementing Decision 2011/485/EU of 29 July 2011 amending Decision 2005/50/EC on the harmonisation of the 24 GHz range radio spectrum band for the time-limited use by automotive short-range radar equipment in the Community (OJ L 198, 30.7.2011, pp. 71–72).

Commission Decision 2010/368/EU of 30 June 2010 amending Decision 2006/771/EC on harmonisation of the radio spectrum for use by short-range devices (OJ L 166, 1.7.2010, pp. 33–41).

Commission Decision 2009/381/EC of 13 May 2009 amending Decision 2006/771/EC on harmonisation of the radio spectrum for use by short-range devices (OJ L 119, 14.5.2009, pp. 32–39).

Commission Decision 2008/411/EC of 21 May 2008 on the harmonisation of the 3 400-3 800 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services in the Community (OJ L 144, 4.6.2008, pp. 77–81).

See consolidated version.

Council Directive 91/287/EEC of 3 June 1991 on the frequency band to be designated for the coordinated introduction of digital European cordless telecommunications (DECT) into the Community (OJ L 144, 8.6.1991, pp. 45–46).

Choose the experimental features you want to try

Short range devices, RLAN (WiFi), Internet of Things, ultra-wide band (UWB) equipment and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)

SUMMARY OF:

WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF THE DIRECTIVE AND DECISIONS?

KEY POINTS

FROM WHEN DO THE DIRECTIVE AND DECISIONS APPLY?

BACKGROUND

MAIN DOCUMENTS

RELATED DOCUMENTS