Government to Allocate 5.5 GHz Public Frequency for UAM and Smart Navigational Aids Next Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] The Ministry of Science and ICT will supply a total of 5.5 GHz bandwidth of public-use frequencies for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) safe operation and smart airway beacons.

On the 21st, the Ministry of Science and ICT held the 'Public-use Frequency Policy Council' and finalized and announced the '2023 Public-use Frequency Supply and Demand Plan.' The 'Public-use Frequency Policy Council' is a forum where relevant central administrative agencies requiring public-use frequencies, including government ministries, participate to discuss matters related to the efficient supply of public-use frequencies.

According to the Radio Waves Act, the Ministry of Science and ICT annually collects frequency usage plans for the following year and beyond from public institutions to establish and implement the 'Public-use Frequency Supply and Demand Plan' for efficient management and supply of public-use frequencies.

At the beginning of this year, 22 agencies including the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport submitted 81 new frequency usage plans to the Ministry of Science and ICT. After investigating and analyzing the appropriateness of the submitted usage plans, the Ministry evaluated them by consulting experts on the appropriateness assessment and listening to the opinions of the demand agencies.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, out of the total 81 submitted new usage plans, 31 were evaluated as appropriate and 33 received conditionally appropriate evaluations. This represents a 32% increase compared to the previous year.

In this year's supply and demand plan, the Ministry explained that, to enhance public safety, frequency demands necessary for water management purposes such as flood and disaster prevention, as well as frequency demands aimed at the advancement of weapon systems like the development of domestically produced fighter jets for national security reinforcement, were carefully reviewed and reflected.

Park Yoon-gyu, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "Not only the advancement of public services for ensuring national safety and security but also the increase in satellite demand due to space and satellite technology development and the emergence of new public services such as UAM due to digital transformation are increasing the demand for public-use frequencies." He emphasized, "Efficient use and supply of public sector frequencies will not only enhance public convenience and ensure safety but also promote the emergence of new public services."

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