On September 14, 2026, the Radio Regulation Bureau of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued a notice to call for public comments on the draft revision of the Provisions of the People’s Republic of China on Radio Frequency Allocation (hereinafter referred to as “the Draft”). The revision is intended to promote the development of radio technologies, ensure the normal operation of radio services and address China’s medium- and long-term spectrum needs, while incorporating outcomes of the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23). Public comments will be accepted until October 14, 2026.

The Provisions form a fundamental part of China’s radio spectrum management framework. They apply to the research and development, manufacture, import, sale, testing, installation and use of various radio equipment in mainland China. The Draft updates terminology, frequency allocations and international footnotes, with extensive changes reflecting the latest version of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations and WRC-23 decisions.

Several revisions are particularly relevant to the ICT, aviation, satellite and emerging wireless technology sectors:

- High-altitude platform stations and IMT: In China, the Draft identifies the 703–733 MHz, 758–788 MHz, 890–915 MHz and 935–960 MHz bands, or portions thereof, for high-altitude platform stations operating as IMT base stations (HIBS). It also incorporates WRC-23 provisions allowing HIBS operation in portions of the 2.5 GHz band, subject to protection of existing primary services and applicable coordination conditions.    

- Aviation communications: The 5030–5091 MHz band, in whole or in part, is proposed for aeronautical mobile (route) service systems, while 5091–5150 MHz may be used for such systems other than airport-surface applications. However, actual deployment will not be permitted until the application mode, frequency-use planning, coexistence conditions and coordination procedures are established.    

- Integrated sensing and communication: The Draft further clarifies that the 24.75–27.5 GHz band allocated to International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) may support integrated sensing and communication applications. Deployment must comply with national radio-management requirements and coexistence conditions with other services, while sensing-enabled base stations are restricted to limited deployment in important sensitive areas.   

- Radar and unmanned aircraft applications: New definitions are introduced for a broad range of radar systems, including traffic roadside radar, small-target detection radar and unmanned aerial vehicle-borne radar, reflecting the expanding use of radio spectrum in intelligent transportation, low-altitude aviation and other emerging applications.    

The Draft also introduces or updates spectrum arrangements for satellite, maritime, Earth-exploration and inter-satellite services, including new WRC-23 coordination and interference-protection requirements.   

For foreign stakeholders, the revision is worth monitoring because the final Provisions will provide the underlying spectrum-allocation framework for radio equipment and wireless systems entering the Chinese market. Manufacturers and technology providers in telecommunications, satellite communications, aviation, radar, UAVs and other wireless sectors are advised to assess whether their operating frequency bands or planned technologies are affected and to follow subsequent technical regulations, frequency-use plans and equipment requirements developed under the revised framework.