915–921 MHz: Europe’s New Frequency Range

In 2025, Europe took a significant step forward in wireless communication by opening up the 915–921 MHz frequency band across multiple countries. As an extension of the traditional UHF band, this new allocation offers increased capacity and reduced interference, unlocking new growth potential for industries such as IoT, RFID, logistics, and smart manufacturing.

Why Is 915–921 MHz Gaining Attention?

Europe has traditionally relied on the 865–868 MHz band for UHF RFID applications. However, the rapid rise in connected devices and data volume has pushed the existing spectrum to its limits. The new 915–921 MHz range provides wider bandwidth, better signal stability, and the ability to support more demanding deployments. Key advantages include:

Longer read distances: Up to 30–40 percent increase at the same power level

Higher data throughput: Enabling faster and more reliable communication

Lower signal interference: Fewer users on the new band mean cleaner performance

These benefits make the 915–921 MHz band especially attractive for high-density deployments and mission-critical applications.

Adoption Across Europe

To date, more than 30 European countries have approved or are planning to adopt the 915–921 MHz band. Key markets such as France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Finland are already leading the rollout. However, countries like Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands have yet to fully open the band due to military communication and existing spectrum regulations. It is expected that harmonization will continue in the coming years to support unified development across the EU.

Market Impact and Business Opportunities

The spectrum expansion unlocks major opportunities across multiple sectors:

Internet of Things (IoT): Supports a higher number of connected devices, enabling smart city and smart home applications

Logistics and supply chain: Improves tracking precision and real-time visibility

Industrial automation: Enables more flexible production lines and better data-driven control

Agricultural technology (AgriTech): Enhances monitoring of crops and livestock for greater productivity

According to market research, Europe’s UHF device market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 15 percent over the next five years, with the 915–921 MHz band acting as a key driver.

Product Compatibility and Technical Considerations

While the frequency change introduces new opportunities, it also raises important considerations for product and hardware compatibility.

Most standard UHF products such as paper RFID labels, RFID laundry tags, and 860–960 MHz full-range inlays are designed to operate globally across the entire UHF band. These tags typically function well regardless of whether the system is tuned to European (ETSI) or American (FCC) frequency standards.

However, more specialized products such as:

Flexible UHF RFID anti-metal tags

PCB-based industrial RFID tags

UHF RFID Reader devices or modules

often come with region-specific tuning. These need to be configured carefully depending on the intended deployment region (ETSI 865–868 MHz or the new 915–921 MHz band) to ensure optimal performance.

Suppliers and integrators should verify whether the tags and readers are designed for the newer band, especially for installations where precise read performance on metal or in high-interference environments is critical.

How Should Businesses Respond?

If your operations involve RFID or IoT applications, here are a few steps to stay ahead:

Check device compatibility: Review current RFID tags and readers to ensure they support the new frequency band

Understand local regulations: Frequency allowances vary by country. Confirm compliance before deploying in each market

Partner with trusted suppliers: Work with vendors who offer technical support and region-specific product solutions

Train your team: Equip your staff with knowledge on frequency tuning and product matching for the 915–921 MHz band

Conclusion

The release of the 915–921 MHz band marks a major milestone in Europe’s wireless development. For businesses, it opens new paths to enhance efficiency, scale deployment, and meet the growing demands of connected infrastructure. From industrial tracking to smart retail and medical logistics, the spectrum shift is a signal to evolve.

Now is the time to evaluate your systems, prepare your teams, and explore new hardware options.

Contact RFIDSU today to learn more about full-band UHF tags, readers, and custom solutions for your application.