More capacity being freed-up for potential 4G applications
Equivalent to around three-quarters of 4G spectrum auctioned this year
Ofcom today took a significant next step in ensuring that the UK continues to meet the growing demands being placed on its wireless infrastructure.
It has invited stakeholders to express their interest in acquiring spectrum that is being released for civil use by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
The MOD is releasing 190 MHz of radio spectrum for Ofcom to award for new commercial uses. This is equivalent to around three-quarters of the 4G spectrum auctioned by Ofcom to operators in February 2013.
Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said: This is a very significant next step forward in Ofcom's long-term strategy for managing spectrum. Over the next decade we will see a revolution in the way that people connect to the internet, driven by the ability to wirelessly access the internet at super fast speeds. 4G is likely to open up a new wave of wireless innovation that will deliver considerable benefits to society and the UK's digital economy.
However this development will also place huge demands on the UK's wireless infrastructure. Releasing MOD spectrum onto the commercial marketplace is an important step in helping to meet this extraordinary demand.
Future demands
In the UK, half of all adults now own a smartphone and one in four households has a tablet computer, fuelling a surge in demand for more data capacity. However by 2020 up to 50 billion other things including cars, crops, coffee machines and cardiac monitors are also likely be connected to the internet, using tiny slivers of spectrum to get online.1
Potential for 4G wireless broadband
The frequencies to be released by Ofcom are all below 5 GHz, forming part of the radio spectrum regarded as particularly attractive in supporting a wide range of potential consumer applications.
Ofcom's initial view is that the bands are likely to be attractive to companies wishing to deliver 4G wireless broadband services. This is because of current trends in how spectrum bands are being harmonised' across European countries. Releasing these frequencies for 4G mobile broadband could potentially lead to improved 4G competition and capacity in the UK.
However, Ofcom is interested in alternative views about how the spectrum could be used.
Expressions of interest
Today's publication invites stakeholders and, in particular, those with a specific interest in acquiring an allocation of the available frequencies, to comment or express an interest.
The document also sets out Ofcom's initial views on certain details of the proposed award of the spectrum. The information received from stakeholders will help Ofcom in designing the most appropriate means for awarding the spectrum, which may be by auction.
Ofcom expects the spectrum to be awarded in the financial year 2015-16.
Stakeholders with a potential interest in the spectrum should respond by 27 November, 2013.
ENDS
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Cisco's Internet of Things: How the Next Evolution of the Internet Is Changing Everything, April 2011.
The MOD announced on 13 September that Ofcom would manage the release of this spectrum.
As well as inviting expressions of interest, Ofcom is today making a number of other proposals relating to the release of this spectrum. This includes proposed band plans for the spectrum and proposals to relocate UK Broadband spectrum holdings within the 3400 to 3600 MHz band, to form one contiguous block of frequencies for award.
The 2.3 GHz band is harmonised in Europe for unpaired use. Unpaired' means that mobile devices use the same frequency band to both receive and send information. The opposite of this is called paired', which uses two separate frequency bands for sending and receiving information. Ofcom proposes that the 3.4 GHz band should be reserved for unpaired use, in line with expected harmonisation across Europe.
Ofcom's principal duty under the Communications Act 2003 is to further the interests of citizens, and the interests of consumers where appropriate by promoting competition. Ofcom is also required to secure the optimal use for wireless telegraphy of the electro-magnetic spectrum.
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More capacity being freed-up for potential 4G applications
