Spectrum 116-260 GHz: what manufacturers and operators must do in 2026

Key data

Radio equipment manufacturers and technology operators working with radiodetermination applications in Europe have a new obligation from April 21, 2026: their devices must comply with the harmonized technical parameters for the frequency band of 116 to 260 GHz, in accordance with the Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/883.

This decision is not a recommendation: it obliges Member States to adapt their national regulatory frameworks and requires companies to operate their equipment under homogeneous technical conditions throughout the EU. The objective is to eliminate the regulatory fragmentation that has so far hindered the deployment of technologies such as short-range radars, advanced industrial sensors and high-resolution imaging systems.

What does this regulation establish?

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/883 harmonizes the use of radio spectrum in the 116-260 GHz band for radiodetermination applications across all EU Member States. This means that the technical conditions under which these devices can operate will be the same in Spain, Germany, France and the rest of the Union's countries.

The applications covered by this harmonization include:

• Short-range radars: used in automotive, perimeter security and object detection.
• Industrial sensors: employed in manufacturing, logistics and automation environments.
• Advanced detection systems: applied in high-resolution imaging and surveillance.

Member States must adapt their national regulatory frameworks to allow the use of these frequencies under the technical parameters established by the Decision. This means that national telecommunications authorities—in Spain's case, the CNMC—will have to update their spectrum allocation and use regulations.

The emerging technologies that directly benefit from this harmonization are:

• Autonomous driving and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
• Industrial robotics and process automation
• High-resolution imaging systems for industrial and security use

Economic and operational impact

For companies, the most immediate impact is technical compliance: devices operating in the 116-260 GHz band must adjust to the harmonized parameters. This may involve product design review, firmware updates or equipment recertification according to the technical standards derived from this Decision.

In terms of opportunity, harmonization significantly reduces barriers to entry into the European single market. Until now, a manufacturer wanting to market a short-range radar in several EU countries had to adapt to different national regulations. With this Decision, a single design compliant with the harmonized parameters is valid in all Member States.

The sectors with the greatest operational impact are:

• Automotive equipment manufacturers: radar systems for autonomous driving can be designed with a single European standard.
• Industry 4.0 and robotics: industrial sensors in this frequency band will have direct access to the European market without regulatory adaptations per country.
• Imaging and detection companies: high-resolution imaging systems based on this band can be deployed more aggressively across the EU.

Who does it affect?

• Radio equipment manufacturers that produce or market devices operating in the 116-260 GHz band in the EU.
• Telecommunications operators that deploy or plan to deploy infrastructures or services based on radiodetermination in this band.
• Technology companies that develop solutions for autonomous driving, industrial robotics or high-resolution imaging systems.
• Importers and distributors of radio equipment from third countries that must comply with European technical requirements for commercialization in the EU.
• National regulatory authorities (such as the CNMC in Spain) that must adapt their spectrum allocation frameworks.

Practical example

A Spanish manufacturer of sensors for industrial robotics that uses frequencies within the 116-260 GHz band for its proximity detection systems directly benefits from this harmonization.

Before Decision 2026/883, this manufacturer had to analyze and comply with the spectrum regulations of each country where it wanted to sell: different power limits, different usage conditions, possible national restrictions. This increased the certification process and slowed entry into new European markets.

With harmonization in force from April 21, 2026, the manufacturer can design its sensors according to the harmonized technical parameters established by the Commission and market them in all Member States without the need for additional regulatory adaptations per country. The critical step now is to verify that the current design exactly complies with those technical parameters and, if not, plan the necessary modifications.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify affected equipment: review whether any of the products or systems you manufacture, market or operate use frequencies within the 116-260 GHz band for radiodetermination applications.
2. Verify technical compliance: compare the current technical specifications of those devices with the harmonized parameters established in Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/883.
3. Consult the national regulatory authority: in Spain, the CNMC will have published or will publish the adaptations to the national regulatory framework derived from this Decision. Verify the status of that adaptation.
4. Plan product updates if necessary: if the equipment does not comply with the harmonized parameters, start the process of design review, firmware update or recertification before marketing them in the EU.
5. Take advantage of the single market opportunity: if the equipment already complies or is being adapted, review your expansion strategy in other EU Member States, where there will no longer be different national regulatory barriers for this frequency band.