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Hewitt Opens Airwaves To Multimedia Access |
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Hewitt Opens Airwaves To Multimedia Access |
DTI Press Notice - 14 January 2000
Patricia Hewitt, the Small Business and E-commerce Minister today announced that internet users at home and in the office will soon benefit from fast always-on access to the internet over radio links.
Ms Hewitt said the Government plans to make radio spectrum licences available for the new broadband fixed wireless access services in two tranches. It intends to make the 28GHz licences available this summer and 40GHz licences in the autumn. This follows the consultation ‘Wireless in the Information Age’.
Business and domestic users will have access to broadband services, such as:
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fast always-on Internet access over radio links without the need for cable or telephone connections; and, |
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high capacity data transfer and video conferencing. |
Ms Hewitt said:
"There is a high demand for interactive multimedia services that is set to grow dramatically over the next few years. Radio links can offer quick access to these services and more choice and benefits for consumers and the economy.
"I want to make sure that innovative services can be developed as quickly as possible and this will be a major consideration in our decisions on how best to package the spectrum and award licences."
The Government will put proposals to industry for spectrum packaging at the first meeting of a Broadband Fixed Wireless Access Consultative Group on 14 January (today) as well as seeking expert advice on financial and market issues.
Proposals for the number of licences to be awarded and the geographical scope of licences are expected to be announced in March.
In awarding licences the Government’s overall aim is to secure the timely and economically advantageous development and sustained provision of broadband fixed wireless access services throughout the UK, for the long term benefit of UK consumers and the national economy.
Subject to this overriding aim the Government’s objectives are to:
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utilise the available broadband fixed wireless access spectrum efficiently; |
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promote early and effective competition for the provision of broadband access services; |
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subject to the above objectives, design a licensing award procedure which is best judged to realise the full economic value to consumers, UK industry and the taxpayer of the spectrum. |
Anyone wishing to participate on the Broadband Fixed Wireless Access Consultative Group should contact the Agency by e-mailing: joe.sonke@ra.gsi.gov.uk .
Notes For Editors
| 1. | The consultation document ‘Wireless in the Information
Age’ was published on 5 July 1999. A copy of the document can be obtained from the
Radiocommunications Agency via its website: www.radio.gov.uk or on request from the
Agency’s library: Information and Library Service Radiocommunications Agency Wyndham House 189 Marsh Wall LONDON E14 9SX Telephone: 020 7211 0502/5 |
| 2. | The Agency received 51 responses to the consultation document. Those which were not submitted on a confidential basis will shortly be available on the Agency website. |
| 3. | The Agency has established the Broadband Fixed Wireless Access Consultative Group. They will facilitate the Government’s ongoing consultation with industry and other interested parties on the award of spectrum licences for broadband fixed wireless access. Respondents to the consultation document and others from within the industry have been invited to the first meeting of the Group on 14 January. |
DTI Press Enquiries: 020 7215 5971/5978/5974
(Out of Hours: 020 7215 5600/5110)
Public Enquiries:020 7215 5000
Textphone for those with hearing impairments: 020 7215 6740
P/2000/20 |
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