This text is concerned with radio propagation studies in the vicinity of 60GHz. The so-called oxygen absorption band, which is ideally suited for short-range applications, is probed to provide wideband characterisation useful for future mobile communications systems.The bulk of the work hinges around three main topics. The first is the gathering of information and identification of crucial aspects of propagation at these s. The second is the building of a suit able channel sounder and undertaking of wideband field experimentations. The last is the statistical interpretation of the results and development of a channel model for the environments investigated.ln this study, the 60GHz radioband was initially approached through a theoretical analysis of the unique millimetric wave properties of the quasi-optical nature and oxygen absorption. The measured results obtained using a dedicated swept-time delay cross-correlation (STDCC) technique based wideband sounder, showed that the multipath channel is better described by the discrete broadband model. A contrast between line-of-sight (LOS) and obstructed (OBS) topographies was clearly observable in both the indoor and outdoor environments. The LOS case was found easier to characterise. A vailable model refinements have also been reviewed. More importantly, the investigation has drawn attention towards certain factors, such as the radiation pattern of the antennae and phase information available in the complex impulse response. These factors, which have often been neglected in published measurements to date, have proved useful to further clarify the interpretation.Aside from the measured characterisation of the propagation, the present research addressed various other issues. These included mmwave technology and trends as well as radiation safety. The possible use of this frequency band for both radar and advanced communications commercial applications have been highlighted. The optic-fibre and 60GHz based local cellular radio network (LCRN) has also been outlined as a possibility for universal portable communications.