Ofcom consults on possible uses of spectrum being released by MoD

Ofcom is keen to hear from stakeholders (31-page/ 385KB PDF) as to whether the spectrum being released is suitable for delivering '4G' services to consumers, or whether it can serve an alternative purpose.

The MoD is to make 40MHz of spectrum between 2350 and 2390 MHz and 150 MHz of spectrum above 3410 MHz and below 3600 MHz available and Ofcom will manage its release.

"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," the regulator said in a statement.

"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," it said.

The term '4G' is generally used to refer to mobile broadband services delivered using mobile broadband technologies such as Long Term Evolution and WiMAX.

Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said that increasing consumer demand for data, as a result of the increasing use of mobile devices for connecting to the internet and the faster connections available, would 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," Richards said.

Stakeholders have until 27 November to express an interest in buying an allocation of the frequencies being made available. Ofcom said it expects to award the spectrum during 2015-16 and that it may operate an auction to do so.

In February, Ofcom announced the results of a radio spectrum auction it conducted to help telecoms operators deliver '4G' services. Vodafone, Everything Everywhere (EE), Telefónica (O2), Hutchison 3G (Three) and Niche Spectrum Ventures (a BT subsidiary) spent more than £2.3 billion between them in acquiring the spectrum for the purposes of delivering 4G services.