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Update on the 450-470MHz (UHF2) Band Alignment project

21 July 2004

This is a notice to all licensees of the 450-470MHz band. The Office of Communications (Ofcom) has withdrawn the Band Alignment project initiated by the Radiocommunications Agency (RA), which was scheduled to commence in 2006, and is re-considering how its regulatory aims might best be achieved in respect of this band.

Ofcom has considered the plans for re-alignment of the 450-470MHz band and has decided that the project as currently cast is not in line with its policy for encouraging market management of the spectrum. Ofcom recognises the significant costs and considerable risks that a complex, centrally- planned move poses on users of the band.

However, the opportunity to release spectrum for other uses, and to reverse usage of the band to prevent future interference problems with the rest of Europe, still needs to be addressed. Ofcom would like to facilitate opportunities where the market recognises value in this approach, and itself sets about making the necessary changes, rather than Ofcom imposing these changes on the users.

As a result, and over the next few months, Ofcom will be considering how to create an opportunity for the market to access the band and will engage with stakeholders to seek their views on any new proposals. Should Ofcom decide that a further consultation is required, any such document likely to be published in the autumn. Until further decisions are made and communicated to stakeholders, the relevant licences should be considered as remaining subject to the notices of re-alignment previously issued by the RA/Ofcom.

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