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Home > Spectrum > Information for Radiocomms Licences > Radiocommunications Licence Information > Types of Radio Use > Mobile and Broadband > Fixed Wireless Access > An introduction to Fixed Wireless Access
An introduction to Fixed Wireless Access (including Operator Information)
Fixed wireless access (FWA) systems are a means of making fixed connections between users’ premises and telecommunication networks. They may deliver a complete range of electronic traffic, including telephony, high speed data, television and multimedia services.
Wireless access technologies and standards
A number of technologies covering both equipment and antennas are available in Europe to provide fixed broadband wireless systems. The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) is responsible for creating harmonised standards (ENs) with which manufacturers may declare compliance before placing equipment on the market under Article 3.2 of the Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE) Directive. ETSI also produces standards that are normally technology specific and interoperable (i.e. common air interface).
Traditionally for the licensed frequency bands each ETSI coexistence standard has catered for a particular technology, in terms of both architecture (e.g. point-to-multipoint) and duplexing method (e.g. frequency division duplexing (FDD)). However, developments in FWA technology and deployment scenarios have led to ongoing work within ETSI to address how its standards can be made applicable to these developments. The preliminary conclusions are that no additional parameters are required; the standards should "remain silent" where possible on architecture and duplexing method. However, industry recognises that engineering issues will need to be resolved with regard to various technologies sharing the spectrum.
Ofcom supports a technology neutral approach. However, spectrum sharing between different systems is continually being discussed within the regulatory process through the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications (CEPT). This is because technology neutrality can raise sharing issues, rather than suppressing them. These issues are continually under review as the ETSI standards become more generic in architecture and duplexing method. However, applicants for licences will not be required to declare the technology that they plan to use if their application is successful. Where operation is licence exempt, compliance to the Interface Requirement (IR) is the only requirement.
Spectrum allocated for delivering FWA
3.5 GHz (3480 to 3500 MHz paired with 3580 to 3600 MHz)
The Radiocommunications Agency (RA) auctioned 3.5 GHz FWA licences in June 2003 and all 15 regional licences were sold. UK Broadband won 13 licences, Red Spectrum won the Northern Metropolitan licence and Public Hub won the Southern Provincial licence. Following the auction UK Broadband acquired both Red Spectrum and Public Hub, and it now holds a licence for the whole UK . The auction website is at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/spectrumauctions/index.htm.
3.6 to 4.2 GHz (3605 to 3689 MHz paired with 3925 to 4009 MHz)
Pipex holds a licence in this band for FWA services; it is subject to co-ordination with fixed terrestrial and fixed satellite users. Ofcom is planning to explore options for making additional spectrum in the band available for terrestrial services.
28 GHz (28.0525 to 29.4525 GHz)
RA auctioned 28 GHz Broadband Fixed Wireless Access licences in November 2000. It offered 42 licences (three in each of 11 English regions, Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland ) and sold 15 of them. The auction website is at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/spectrumauctions/bfwa/bfwa_index.htm
10 GHz, 28 GHz, 32 GHz & 40 GHz
Ofcom published a consultation document on 29 June 2006 setting out its detailed proposals for awarding wireless telegraphy licences to use the spectrum bands 10 GHz, 28 GHz and 32 GHz and to defer the award of 40 GHz[(-1-)]. In the light of points raised in responses to its proposals, Ofcom published a discussion document on 11 January 2007[(-2-)] that proposed revised packaging of the spectrum available in the 10 GHz band, inclusion of the 40 GHz band in the award and the award of licences by a combinatorial clock auction. Ofcom is considering the responses it received and intends to start the award process in summer 2007.
Channel Islands and Isle of Man
Licences for FWA have also been awarded in these islands, in liaison with the respective Island regulatory authorities.
Details of UK, Channel Island and Isle of Man licensees are available in Annex 1.
Ofcom contact for FWA
Ushma Patel - 020 7783 4347
Information on 5.8GHz FWA Licensing
See link - 5.8GHz Fixed Wireless Access Licence | Ofcom
Annex 1
OPERATOR INFORMATION
FIXED WIRELESS ACCESS OPERATORS
* NB. Operators marked with asterisk are licensed provide regional services only. Please refer to operators websites for details of coverage/service areas.
3.5 GHz Band
U.K. Broadband Limited
3 rd Floor
78 Brook Street
London
WY1 1YD
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8622 3050
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8622 3244
Email: info@ukbroadband.co.uk
Web:www.ukbroadband.com
3.6 GHz Band
Pipex Communications Business Solutions Ltd
1 st Floor Economist Building
St James’s Street
London
SW1A 1HA
Email: graham.currier@pipexwireless.net
Tel: 0207 000 1070
Web: http://www.pipex.com
28 GHz Band
* Fastnet Spectrum Holdings Ltd
62 Wilson Street
London
EC2A 2BU
* Thus Plc
1-2 Berkeley Square
99 Berkeley Street
Glasgow
G3 7HR
Tel: 0141 567 1234
Fax: 0141 566 3035
Email: thus.enquiries@thus.net
Web: www.thus.net
* Broadnet UK limited
Comcast Corporation
1500 Market Street
28W, Philadelphia
PA 19103.
Web : www.comcast.com
* Chorus Communication Ltd
Limerick Enterprise Development Park
Roxboro Road
Limerick
Co. Limerick
General enquiries: +44 (0) 1890 417 888
Fax: 061-27 27 77
Email: info@chorus.ie
Web: www.Chorus.ie
* Faultbasic Limited
1 st Floor Economist Building
St James’s Street
London
SW1A 1HA
Tel: 0207 000 1070
Email: graham.currier@pipexwireless.net
Web: http://www.pipex.com
JERSEY FIXED WIRELESS ACCESS OPERATORS
Newtel ( Jersey ) Limited
1 Colomberie
St Helier
Jersey
Channel Islands
JE4 9SY
Tel: Jersey : 01534 506400
Fax: Jersey : 01534 507979
Email: mail@newtelsolutions.com
Web: www.newtelsolutions.com
3.6 GHz Band
Cable & Wireless ( Jersey ) Limited
Ground Floor
3 Britannia Place
St Helier, Jersey
Channel Islands
JE2 4SU
GUERNSEY FIXED WIRELESS ACCESS OPERATORS
3.5 GHz Band
Newtel ( Guernsey ) Limited
1 Colomberie
St Helier
Jersey
Channel Islands
JE4 9SY
Tel: Guernsey : +44 (0) 01481 240416
Fax: Guernsey : 01481 242150
Email: mail@newtelsolutions.com
Web: www.newtelsolutions.com
3.6 GHz Band
Cable and Wireless ( Guernsey ) Limited
PO Box 3, St Peter Port
Guernsey
Channel Islands
GY1 3AB
If you wish to contact us from outside the UK , then please call on+44 1481 700700 and ask for the required service
E-mail: - contact@cwguernsey.com
Web: http://www.cwguernsey.com/main
28 GHz Band
Wave Telecom Ltd
Suite 7 , Provident House
Havilland Street
St Peter Port
Guernsey
GY1 2QE
Web: http://www.wavetelecom.com
ISLE OF MAN FIXED WIRELESS ACCESS OPERATORS
3.5 GHz Band
Domicilium (IOM) Ltd
Mona House
33 Malew Street
Castletown
Isle Of Man
IM9 1AE
Tel: 00 44 1624 825278
Fax: 00 44 1624 829525
Email: info@domicilium.com
Web: http://www.domicilium.com
3.6 GHz Band
Domicilium (IOM) Ltd
Mona House
33 Malew Street
Castletown
Isle Of Man
IM9 1AE
Tel: 00 44 1624 825278
Fax: 00 44 1624 829525
Email: info@domicilium.com
Web: http://www.domicilium.com
Manx Telecom Limited
Isle of Man Business Park
Cooil Road
Braddan
Isle Of Man
IM99 1HX
General Enquiries: + 44 (0)1624 633633
Fax: + 44 (0) 1624 636011
Web: http://www.manxtelecom.com
Wi-Manx
7 Athol street
Douglas Isle Of Man
IM9 1LD
Tel -+44(0) 1624 641188
Fax-+44(0) 1624 624464
Email: info@wimanx.com
Web: http://www.wimanx.com
28 GHz Band
Manx Telecom Limited
Isle of Man Business Park
Cooil Road
Braddan
Isle Of Man
IM99 1HX
General Enquiries: + 44 (0)1624 633633
Fax: + 44 (0) 1624 636011
Web: http://www.manxtelecom.com
Annex 2 - Operators' Frequency Bands
3.5 GHz – LICENCES
| U.K Broadband Limited | Lower Frequency Block 3480 - 3500 MHz |
Upper Frequency Block 3580 - 3600 MHz |
|---|
3.6 GHz – LICENCES
| Pipex Communications Business Solutions Ltd | Lower Frequency Band 3605 - 3689 MHz |
Upper Frequency Band 3925 - 4009 MHz |
|---|
28 GHz – LICENCES
| Fastnet Spectrum Holdings Ltd | Base Transmit | Base Recieve |
|---|---|---|
| Region A (Greater London) |
28.0525 - 28.1645 GHz | 29.0605 - 29.1725 GHz |
| Region B (Cheshire, Greater Manchester & Merseyside) |
28.1925 - 28.3045 GHz | 29.2005 - 29.3125 GHz |
| Region C (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire) |
28.0525 - 28.1645 GHz | 29.0605 - 29.1725 GHz |
| Region I (East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire) |
28.0525 - 28.1645 GHz | 29.0605 - 29.1725 GHz |
| Region L (Scotland) |
28.1925 - 28.3045 GHz | 29.2005 - 29.3125 GHz |
| Region N (Northern Ireland) |
28.0525 - 28.1645 GHz | 29.0605 - 29.1725 GHz |
| Thus Plc | Base Transmit | Base Recieve |
|---|---|---|
| Region B (Cheshire, Greater Manchester & Merseyside) |
28.0525 - 28.1645 GHz | 29.0605 - 29.1725 GHz |
| Region C (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire) |
28.1925 - 28.3045 GHz | 29.2005 - 29.3125 GHz |
| Region I (East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire) |
28.1925 - 28.3045 GHz | 29.2005 - 29.3125 GHz |
| Region J (Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear) |
28.1925 - 28.3045 GHz | 29.2005 - 29.3125 GHz |
| Broadnet UK Limited | |
|---|---|
| Region A (Greater London) |
28.1925 – 28.3045 GHz paired with 29.2005 – 29.3125 GHz |
| Chorus Communications Ltd | |
|---|---|
| Region N (Northern Ireland) |
28.1925 – 28.3045 GHz paired with 29.2005 – 29.3125 GHz |
| Faultbasic Limited | |
|---|---|
| Region A (Greater London) |
28.3325 – 28.4445 GHz paired with 29.3405 – 29.4525 GHz |
| Region B (Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside) |
|
| Region C (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire) |
|
JERSEY Fixed Wireless Access Operator– LICENCES
3.5 GHz Band
| Newtel (Jersey) Limited | Lower Frequency Block 3480 - 3500 MHz |
Upper Frequency Block 3580 - 3600 MHz |
3.6 GHz Band
| Cable & Wireless (Jersey) Limited | Lower Frequency Range 3600 - 3630 MHz |
Upper Frequency Block 3700 to 3730 MHz |
GUERNSEY Fixed Wireless Access Operator – LICENCES
3.5 GHz Band
| Newtel (Guernsey) Limited | Lower Frequency Block 3480 - 3500 MHz |
Upper Frequency Block 3580 - 3600 MHz |
3.6 GHz Band
| Cable & Wireless (Guernsey) Limited | Lower Frequency Block 3600 - 3630 MHz |
Upper Frequency Block 3700 to 3730 MHz |
28 GHz Band
| Wave Telecom | Lower Frequency Block 28.0525 - 28.1645 GHz |
Upper Frequency Block 29.0605 to 29.1725 GHz |
ISLE OF MAN Fixed Wireless Access Operator – LICENCES
3.5 GHz Band
| Domicilium (IOM) Ltd | Lower Frequency Block 3480 - 3500 MHz |
Upper Frequency Block 3580 - 3600 MHz |
3.6 GHz Band
| Domicilium (IOM) Ltd | Lower Spectrum Block 3630.0 – 3660.0 MHz |
Upper Spectrum Block 3950.0 to 3980.0 MHz |
| Manx Telecom Limited | Lower Spectrum Block 3660.0 – 3690.0 MHz |
Upper Spectrum Block 3980.0 to 4010.0 MHz |
| Wi-Manx | Lower Spectrum Block 3690.0 – 3720.0 MHz |
Upper Spectrum Block 4010.0 to 4040.0 MHz |
28 GHz Band
| Manx Telecom Limited | Lower Frequency Range 28.1925 - 28.3040 GHz |
Upper Frequency Range 29.2005 to 29.3125 GHz |
Footnotes:
1.- www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/10ghz/
2.- http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/10-40GHz/10-40ghz.pdf
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