Spectrum Sharing as a Key Enabler to scale Private industrial Networks Deployments

The introduction of locally restricted, so-called private spectrum, first in 5G, enabled new usage scenarios and digitalization of “vertical industries” (such as transport, logistics, automotive, health, energy, smart factories, media and entertainment), previously not possible. However, cellular 5G has so far not been the big game changer in terms of new services or markets available mainly due to the lack of conditions for achieving mass market development, including the lack of harmonization of spectrum use. To facilitate the harmonization of spectrum bands across Europe to support innovation and digital industrial transformation, the European Commission (EC) has recommended that EU Member States consider sharing of the 3.8-4.2 GHz frequency band by vertical industries for local applications using low/medium power networks, and with existing incumbent applications and services. This is the first time that European policy making bodies are working out regulatory conditions that explicitly address and promote shared access to a frequency band. This paper contributes to clarifying the complex status of work at project team WG FM60 PT, where the technical feasibility of the shared used of the 3.8-4.2 GHz frequency band by terrestrial wireless broadband systems providing low/medium power localarea network connectivity (WBB LMP) is being assessed, and harmonized technical conditions are developed based on a ‘least restrictive technical conditions’ (LRTC) approach. In this paper, the authors adopt the viewpoint of emerging industrial local private communication networks and put major focus on the role of technology neutrality and automated spectrum coordination as a key enabler to scale the deployment of private industrial networks in Europe.