Additional 9.13 GHz Public Frequency Band to Be Supplied Next Year for Unmanned Weapon Systems and Drone Detection

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] A total of 9.13 GHz bandwidth of frequencies will be additionally supplied next year for public purposes such as national defense, security, aviation and maritime safety, and climate observation.

The Ministry of Science and ICT held a Public Frequency Policy Council on the 29th and finalized the "2021 Public Frequency Supply and Demand Plan" with these details. Based on the appropriateness evaluation of new demands applied by each agency, 25 cases were deemed appropriate and 17 cases conditionally appropriate, and approximately 9.13 GHz bandwidth (including overlaps between agencies) will be supplied.

In particular, by newly supplying frequencies for unmanned weapon systems and drone detection radar, it is expected to contribute to the "Smart Defense Innovation" and securing public safety.

The Ministry of Science and ICT included frequency demands for military weapon systems in the public frequency supply and demand plan, thereby promoting systematic linkage between the military’s mid- to long-term power requirements and frequency securing and supply, as well as comprehensive supply and demand management among frequency demands in other fields. Additionally, as the demand for drone detection radar construction has been continuously increasing due to illegal drone threats to nationally important facilities such as airports and nuclear power plants, a dedicated band for drone detection radar was discovered and supplied, and user compliance requirements were established.

Considering domestic frequency demands, industrial ecosystem, and frequency usage status, the use of the 8.5?8.6 GHz and 15.7?17.2 GHz bands is recommended. Detailed usage guidelines such as output and usage areas can be checked on the Ministry of Science and ICT website.

Oh Yongsoo, Director of the Radio Policy Bureau, stated, “Public frequencies are key resources directly linked to citizens’ life and safety services, and we will continuously strive to secure radio resources and improve usage efficiency so that public frequencies can be supplied timely and appropriately.”

The Ministry of Science and ICT will notify related agencies of the supply and demand plan and supply frequencies according to each agency’s project promotion and wireless station establishment schedule. Considering that radar demands such as weather observation and maritime surveillance are increasing next year while frequency saturation is intensifying, the ministry plans to focus on improving radar usage efficiency through information sharing among radar operating agencies, joint frequency use, and preparation of usage guidelines by sector.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.