Radio spectrum co-ordination
Development of radio product and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards and overall co-ordination of radio spectrum matters.
Our global standards are pivotal to many radio-based technologies and systems, including those used for mobile phones, broadband wireless networks, satellite communications and cordless technologies.
Why standards matter
Standardisation ensures the safe, reliable operation and co-existence of mobile and other wireless systems that are competing for use of limited radio spectrum resources. Much of our work, including the development of Harmonised Standards for mobile systems, is conducted in response to requests received from the European Commission.
Key activities and focus areas
Working with CEPT
Assisting the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) in harmonising the use of radio spectrum.
Responding to RED
Cooperation with relevant CEPT/ECC groups to revise or replace Harmonised Standards in response to the Radio Equipment Directive.
Key technical groups
Technical Committee (TC)
Broadband Radio Access Networks (BRAN)
Current and future Wireless Access Systems (WAS) including Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) technologies operating in different license-exempt bands.
Technical Committee (TC)
Critical Communications Systems (CCS)
Driving global standards for secure, resilient and interoperable critical communications, integrating narrowband, broadband and future converged communication systems
Technical Committee (TC)
Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT)
Development and maintenance of all DECT™ standards, covering both legacy and next-generation wireless technologies.
Technical Committee (TC)
EMC and Radio Spectrum Matters (ERM)
Development and maintenance of Harmonised Standards and other deliverables in response to Standardisation Requests received from EC/EFTA, as well as other technical deliverables.
Technical Committee (TC)
Mobile Standards Group (MSG)
Responding to mandates from the EC in support of European regulation of related systems; identifying European regulatory requirements on cellular systems developed by 3GPP
Software Development Group (SDG)
OpenCAPIF (OCF)
Developing an open source Common API Framework, as specified by 3GPP, enabling secure and consistent exposure and use of 3GPP northbound APIs.
Industry Specification Group (ISG)
Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS)
Coordinating pre-standardisation research efforts on RIS technology across EU/UK and global initiatives; addressing fixed and mobile wireless access, sensing, positioning, energy/EMF, security and privacy.
Technical Committee (TC)
Reconfigurable Radio Systems (RRS)
Standardisation of Reconfigurable Radio Systems, including equipment architecture and cognitive radio; meeting stakeholder needs to enable technical interoperability and regulatory compliance.
Technical Committee (TC)
Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES)
Satellite communication systems, services and applications including fixed, mobile and broadcasting as well as satellite navigation systems and earth station equipment.
Industry Specification Group (ISG)
TeraHertz (THz)
Co-ordinating pre-standardisation efforts on communication technology in the THz range, resulting from various collaborative research projects and global initiatives, paving the way towards future standardisation.
Technical Committee (TC)
Terrestrial Trunked Radio and Critical Communications Evolution (TCCE)
Maintaining and developing TETRA with user-driven standards for authority-to-authority secure voice and data services over broadband and narrowband air interfaces.
Upcoming events
Webinar
Webinar: OSM Release TWENTY
29 September 2026
Online
ETSI @ external event
Network X
13-15 October 2026
Vienna, Austria
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Upcoming events
Webinar
Webinar: OSM Release TWENTY
29 September 2026
Online
ETSI @ external event
Network X
13-15 October 2026
Vienna, Austria
