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29|06|06

Ofcom announces release of spectrum suitable for new broadband services

Ofcom today published proposals for the release of radio spectrum which could be used for a range of new broadband, wireless communications and broadcast services by both businesses and consumers. Ofcom intends to auction licences for frequencies at 10 GHz, 28 GHz and 32 GHz on a technology and application-neutral basis in the latter half of 2007.

A number of potential uses of these bands have been identified including:

• Broadcasting use for video links and wireless cameras, particularly in the 10 GHz band. These potential new services could be developed in time for use during the London 2012 Olympic Games;
• High-capacity, high-speed data connections for mobile and fixed broadband networks for the 10, 28 or 32 GHz bands, and;
• Broadband access networks for the 10 and 28 GHz bands.

New wireless services require access to additional radio spectrum, a finite national resource upon which all wireless communications depend. This auction is in the context of a substantial programme of spectrum allocation and release over the next few years which was announced by Ofcom in January 2005.

The Licences

Ofcom proposes to offer 12 licences in the 10 GHz, 28 GHz and 32 GHz bands in the following proposed packages of spectrum:

• 10 GHz – a single UK-wide licence of 2x100 MHz;
• 28 GHz – two UK-wide licences each of 2x112 MHz, plus three geographically limited licences each of 2x112 MHz which can only operate in certain areas; and
• 32 GHz – six UK-wide licences each of 2x126 MHz.

Ofcom proposes that all 12 licences are awarded in a simultaneous multiple round auction, and should be tradable.

The deadline for responses to the consultation is 7 September 2006. The full consultation can be found in the Related Items.

Ends.

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