Videoconference meetings of the second subgroup also created by the Special Connectivity Group, designated the Access to 5G Spectrum subgroup (SG-5G), were held on 3 and 23 November and 10 December 2020, on the same dates that the Cost Reduction subgroup (SG-CR) met. SG-5G is responsible for questions concerning the process of allocating spectrum for fast development of 5G networks.
This subgroup is thus in charge of questions 20 to 26 of the template/questionnaire, concerning matters associated to the allocation process. This namely involves environmental aspects, investment incentives and more coordinated use of spectrum in border areas.
The steps followed at each of these meetings coincide with the working methodology also adopted by SG-CR. Hence, the third of those meetings likewise reached agreement on the proposed preliminary report summarising the contributions from the various member-states, Norway and the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG), which in addition to the contribution from SG-CR will enable conclusion of the first phase of the work. In other words, as envisaged in the aforesaid recommendation, the member-states must by 20 December 2020 identify and share mutually and with the European Commission the best practices regarding reduction of costs and fast installation of very high capacity networks (contribution of SG-CR) and guarantee timely and investment-friendly access to 5G radio spectrum (contribution of SG-5G).
