In case you missed it – Dean Bubley, a tech industry expert and founder of Disruptive Analysis, wrote a new column for Fierce Networks discussing the implications of China’s bid to host the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-­27). Acting as the host country for the WRC offers a number of opportunities to advantage state-backed manufacturers such as Huawei and ZTE by pushing other countries to clear key bands for exclusive licensing.

“Certain proposed bands will likely lead to arguments between commercial cellular interests and other groups (such as the military) in the US and other western countries. This then offers a win-win for China and other hostile governments such as Russia – clearing bands for exclusive IMT use can effectively weaken defense systems and force extra unnecessary costs on the US and allies’ militaries – at the same time as adding doubt and friction to commercial wireless suppliers,” Bubley wrote.

As the founder of Disruptive Analysis, Dean Bubley has been writing about numerous issues in the telecom space, including spectrum, for two decades. 

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US Must Prepare For WRC-27 To Be Hosted By China

Fierce Networks

Dean Bubley, Founder of Disruptive Analysis

February 28, 2025

https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/op-ed-us-must-prepare-china-host-world-radio-conference

Every four years, the ITU (International Telecommunication Union), an UN agency responsible for IT and telecoms, holds the World Radio Congress (WRC) to review and revise the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits. Each nation then puts the agreement into practice through its own laws and allocation processes.

The next WRC is due to occur at the end of 2027 (WRC-27). At the moment, the host country has yet to be decided – but the spectrum community understands the only candidates to be China and Rwanda.

This is important – the host country’s role goes beyond just prestige. It has significant technical and geopolitical implications in terms of the way the conference is conducted. Given the focus of WRC-27 on satellite services and proposed new bands being studied for 5G / 6G, US policymakers must take seriously – and urgently – the possibility that China will host it.