Experts Convene at the 19th European Spectrum Management Conference

The 2024 edition of the European Spectrum Management Conference took place on 19 - 20 June at the BluePoint in Brussels. It was once again a focal gathering point for industry leaders, policymakers, and experts eager to delve into and explore the latest developments shaping the future of spectrum management in Europe and beyond.

Event Recap

The conference opened with keynote presentations from prominent figures, including Renate Nikolay, from the European Commission; Tonko Obuljen from BEREC; and Mario Maniewicz from ITU. Their speeches set the stage for discussions on the evolving landscape of spectrum management and the importance of coordinated efforts at the EU level.

Following this, Session 1 explored the European Commission’s White Paper on mastering Europe’s digital infrastructure needs, focusing on Spectrum Policy and the EU Digital Single Market. Session 2 assessed the outcomes of WRC-23 for Europe and beyond and the preparatory steps for WRC-27. 

Speakers in Session 3 discussed the future of the upper 6 GHz band, with debates on the best approach for Europe and next steps. In Session 4, the panel discussed the future shape of spectrum sharing in Europe and the benefits of a harmonised shared spectrum regime. 

Day one concluded with Session 5 where speakers discussed the challenges and solutions for indoor connectivity. Topics included the role of technologies such as 5G, Wi-Fi, fixed access, and strategies for overcoming technical and economic barriers. 

We started day two of the conference with Amit Nagpal and Cameron Currin from Aetha Consulting moderating an interactive session titled “The rise of the machines – will AI be the death knell for traditional spectrum managers? Saul Friedner from LS telcom then gave us a brief overview of ways to explore the transformative potential of AI in spectrum management, before an audience vote in response to the question "Will AI be the death knell for traditional spectrum managers?" Read this session summary article by Aetha Consulting for the full picture and a look at the results of the vote. 

Right afterwards, we delved into Session 7 and discussed the long-term future of the 470-694 MHz band and of its users. 

Experts shared their ideas on direct-to-device, hybrid networks, and the evolving connectivity landscape in Session 8, highlighting the ​​evolving role of satellite communications in spectrum management.

After the lunch break, we had three presentations from Coleago Consulting, NERA, and Telefonica in Session 9 and looked at the future of spectrum licence awards and renewals as 5G reaches maturity.

Lastly, the event closed with Session 10 looking at the European Spectrum Roadmap for 6G.

Hear from some of our speakers and delegates on their key takeaways from the conference in the video below.

The conference featured a wide array of speakers who are influential in the spectrum management landscape. Key speakers included:

Key speakers included Renate Nikolay, Deputy Director General, DG CNECT, European Commission; Mario Maniewicz, Director, Radiocommunication Bureau, ITU; Tonko Obuljen, Chairman, BEREC; Julia Inmaculada Criado Casado, Vice Chair, RSPG & Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures, Spain; Eric Fournier, Director for Spectrum Planning and International Affairs, ANFR France; Heidi Himmanen, Co-Chair, Sub-Group for 6G Strategic Vision, RSPG & Chief Specialist, Digital Connections, Traficom; Chris Woolford, Chairman, Electronic Communications Committee (ECC), CEPT & Director of International Spectrum Policy, Ofcom; Jessica Quinley, Assistant Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, FCC; Jonas Wessel, Director, Spectrum Management, Swedish Post & Telecom Agency - PTS; Alexander Kühn, Head of Section, International Spectrum Affairs, Spectrum Planning & Innovative Spectrum Usage, BNetzA; Detlef Fuehrer, Director, Spectrum Management and Regulatory Affairs, EMEA, HPE; Martha Suarez, President, DSA; Luigi Ardito, Senior Director, Government Affairs, EMEA, Qualcomm; Erika Tejedor, Vice President, Spectrum Regulations, Ericsson; Guillaume Lebrun, Global Connectivity Policy, Meta; Glyn Carter, Future Spectrum Director, GSMA; Natalia Vicente, Vice President, Public Affairs, GSOA; Mindel De La Torre, Chief Regulatory and International Strategy Officer, Omnispace; Stephen Pentland, Group Policy & Public Affairs, Vodafone and Jaime Hjort, Head of Wireless and Spectrum Policy, Amazon.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all our sponsors and partners involved, whose invaluable support made this event a resounding success.

Organised by Forum Europe. Platinum Partners: Analysys Mason, Amazon, Cisco, Coleago Consulting, Comtel, Ericsson, GSA, GSMA, GSOA, HPE, Huawei, Intelsat, Meta, Morse Micro, Nokia, Qualcomm, Omnispace, Vodafonee. Gold Partners: Broadcast Networks Europe, DSA. Silver Partners: Shure. Refreshment Break Hosts: Policy Impact Partners, thinkRF. Exhibitors: LS telcom, M2Catalyst. Knowledge Partners: Aetha Consulting, NERA Economic Consulting.

Check out more upcoming events:

• 11th Latin America Spectrum Management Conference | 22-23 September
• 13th Americas Spectrum Management Conference | 1-2 October

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