Just days after delegates to World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) reached consensus on a new global 15 kHz-wide allocation at 5 MHz, the Netherlands has opened a 100 kHz band for Amateur Radio use.

Article 4.4 of the ITU Radio Regulations ‎lets countries authorize frequency assignments that are contrary to the international Table of Allocations, only on a non-interference, non-protected basis. Hams in the Netherlands have been authorized to use 5350-5450 MHz at up to 100 W PEP. IARU member society VERON has recommended the use of USB.

WRC-15 laid the foundation for a global, secondary Amateur Radio allocation of 5351.5 kHz to 5366.5 kHz at up to 15 W effective isotropic radiated power in the US (some Region 2 countries will be permitted up to 25 W EIRP). The new worldwide band won’t be available for use in the US until the FCC institutes a rule making proceeding and establishes operating parameters for the band.