Home > Media and Analysts > News Release Archive > 2007 > Nov > 22|11|07

22|11|07

Ofcom grants change to UK Broadband’s licence

Ofcom today announced its decision, following consultation, to amend the radio spectrum licence held by UK Broadband Limited. The change will allow the company to offer internet connections to portable or mobile devices as well as to fixed locations across the UK.

UK Broadband’s current Wireless Telegraphy Act licence permits the company to operate broadband fixed wireless access in the 3.5 GHz band. The company had asked Ofcom to change its licence to make it technology and application neutral, giving it greater flexibility over how it can use the radio spectrum. It also sought an increase in its permitted power levels.

Ofcom believes that removing restrictions on the licensee will benefit consumers, encourage competition, optimise use of the spectrum and is therefore in the interests of citizens and consumers. Ofcom also believes that the likelihood of interference to other users is low.

Ends.

NOTES FOR EDITORS AND CSEs

1. Ofcom’s Spectrum Framework Review Statement, published in June 2005, set out Ofcom’s plans to release more spectrum, liberalise the use of spectrum and enable spectrum trading. Ofcom’s Annual Plan 2007/8 published in April listed driving forward a market-based approach to spectrum and reducing the restrictions on how spectrum is used as priorities for the organisation.

2. In July 2003, the Radiocommunications Agency awarded 15 regional 3.5 GHz licences. UK Broadband acquired 13 of these licences and subsequently purchased the two companies that had acquired the other licences. In December 2006, UK Broadband asked Ofcom to change its licences so that all 15 regions were covered by a single licence. Ofcom agreed to this in March 2007. In the same month UK Broadband submitted a further request to Ofcom to change its licence to allow technology and service neutrality and to increase the permitted power limits.

3. In June 2006 Ofcom published its consultation on proposals to make the variation in UK Broadband’s licence. Today’s announcement follows that consultation.

Back to top