South Korea Reallocates LTE Spectrum for 5G: RRA Revises Wireless Equipment Standards

South Korea Reallocates LTE Spectrum for 5G: RRA Revises Wireless Equipment Standards

South Korea has taken a decisive step toward technology neutral spectrum use. On 24 July 2026, the National Radio Research Agency (RRA) the certification authority operating under the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) brought into effect a revision of the Technical Standards for Wireless Equipment for Telecommunications Business (전기통신사업용 무선설비의 기술기준). The revision allows 5G services to operate on mobile bands that were previously confined to LTE, implementing at the technical standards level a broader MSIT decision to reallocate expiring 3G and LTE spectrum on a technology neutral basis.

For manufacturers, importers, and test labs holding or pursuing KC (Korea Certification) approvals, this is a compliance event rather than a purely policy one: the frequency conditions and supply-power criteria that KC conformity assessment tests against have changed for the affected bands.

What the South Korea 5G spectrum reallocation changes for wireless equipment standards

The change has two layers that are worth separating clearly, because they are governed by different instruments and different authorities.

The allocation layer (MSIT). MSIT confirmed a detailed policy to reallocate the full block of mobile spectrum reported at approximately 370 MHz whose usage terms expire across 2026 (in June and December). Rather than reclaiming the spectrum, MSIT is reallocating it to the existing licensees, while removing the constraint that tied those bands to LTE alone. The stated rationale is continuity of existing LTE service combined with enabling 5G Standalone (SA) migration, 6G readiness, and AI era network densification on the same spectrum.

The type approval layer (RRA). For that technology neutral use to be lawful in practice, the equipment rules had to be updated. RRA's revision to the Technical Standards for Wireless Equipment for Telecommunications Business does two substantive things:

• Technology neutral band conditions. The communication method conditions for the affected bands historically written around LTE are adjusted so that the reallocated bands may also be operated using 5G transmission methods. LTE operation is not withdrawn; 5G is added as a permitted method on those bands.

• Supply power criteria aligned to international standards. The supply power conditions for equipment applying 5G on these bands are revised to align with international standards (ITU), reportedly expressed on an antenna tap reference basis.

  
  

RRA issued the revision alongside two companion notices effective the same day the Conformity Assessment Notice for broadcasting and communications equipment (방송통신기자재등의 적합성평가에 관한 고시) and the Test Lab Designation and Management Notice (방송통신기자재등 시험기관의 지정 및 관리에 관한 고시) so the assessment procedures and designated lab framework move in step with the technical standard. The technical standards revision followed an administrative pre announcement (행정예고) consultation that closed on 4 May 2026.

What this means for manufacturers

The reallocation may read as a carrier and government matter, but the parties most directly affected are the companies that build and supply the equipment: base stations, repeaters, terminals, and communication modules. If your product touches the reallocated bands, treat the following as an action list rather than background reading.

1. Confirm band and technology overlap. Identify whether any of your products operate on the reallocated LTE bands and whether they support or could support, via firmware 5G transmission methods on those bands. Dual mode and firmware upgradable platforms are the most likely to be caught.

2. Determine applicability of the revised standard. The Technical Standards for Wireless Equipment for Telecommunications Business applies by equipment category. Base stations, repeaters, terminals, and modules can face different test items and documentation depending on type.

3. Re examine supply power compliance. Because the supply power criteria have been revised toward the international (antenna tap) reference, verify that your declared power configuration and test setup match the new basis rather than the prior LTE era framing.

4. Check existing KC approvals for re-evaluation triggers. New products must be assessed against the revised standard. Products already holding KC certification on the affected bands may require a change certification or supplementary testing if they now operate or are updated to operate under 5G methods on those bands.

5. Watch for transitional provisions. Confirm whether the notice includes grace or transitional measures (경과조치) that affect which products are tested under the old versus new criteria, and align submission timing accordingly.

6. Brief your test lab early. Provide model name, supported bands, LTE/5G method support, antenna configuration, transmit power, power conditions, and prior certification history. Clear inputs let a lab scope the applicable test items and KC route quickly.

   
   

Certification impact summary

Dimension	Position before 24 July 2026	Position under the revised standard
Permitted technology on affected bands	Reallocation affected bands treated primarily under LTE communication-method conditions	Bands may be operated using 5G transmission methods in addition to LTE (technology-neutral)
Governing instrument	LTE-oriented Technical Standards for Wireless Equipment for Telecommunications Business	Revised Technical Standards (effective 24 July 2026), plus companion Conformity Assessment and Test-Lab notices
Supply power basis	Prior LTE-era supply power framing	Revised to align with international (ITU) standards on an antenna tap reference basis
Affected equipment	—	Base stations, repeaters, terminals, communication modules operating on reallocated bands
New products	Assessed under prior conditions	Must be assessed against the revised standard for KC conformity
Existing KC approvals	Valid under prior conditions	May need change certification / supplementary testing if operating under 5G methods on affected bands
KC schemes potentially engaged	Certification / Registration of Conformity / SDoC / Provisional	Unchanged scheme set; applicable route depends on product type and risk

Timeline and required actions

Date	Milestone	Required action for manufacturers / labs
4 May 2026	Administrative pre-announcement (행정예고) for the technical-standards revision closes	(Consultation window — now closed)
June 2026	First tranche of 3G/LTE spectrum usage terms expire; MSIT reallocation policy in effect	Map which of your products use bands in the reallocated block
24 July 2026	Revised Technical Standards for Wireless Equipment for Telecommunications Business takes effect, with companion Conformity Assessment and Test-Lab notices	Treat the revised standard as the applicable basis for new KC submissions on affected bands
Now (post-effective)	Revised criteria in force	Confirm supply power basis, applicability by equipment type, and any change certification needs for existing approvals
December 2026	Second tranche of 3G/LTE spectrum usage terms expire	Reconfirm band/technology coverage for products tied to the second tranche; finalize KC timing
Ahead of launch	Product go to market	Back-calculate KC lead time (sample build, technical file, RF/EMC testing, remediation) from your ship date