Innovative radio services planned for 4 GHz frequency band

Press Release - 28 April 2000

The Radiocommunications Agency (RA) announced today that it is to licence Tele2 (UK) Ltd to provide Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services in the 4GHz frequency band. Tele2 (UK) Ltd will launch its service in the Leicester area and plans to introduce similar services in the Nottingham, Bradford and Leeds areas in the next few months.

The decision follows trials of these services in the Thames Valley area. FWA systems provide a radio-based alternative to fixed ‘local loop’ line networks, providing fast internet access with higher data rates than are available over conventional telephone lines. The services and competition that FWA will add to the existing fixed telecommunications network will further the development of e-commerce in the UK and lead to greater choice and lower costs for consumers.

	The 4GHz frequency band is currently used by terrestrial point-to-point microwave fixed links (Fixed Services) and satellite earth stations for the Fixed Satellite Service. This frequency band was until recently managed by British Telecom but has now been returned to RA under an agreed programme to transfer management of all fixed link spectrum to RA.
	Under RA management, there will be wider access to the fixed link spectrum, outside existing trunk routes. The number and density of point-to-point fixed links and point-to-multipoint services is expected to increase significantly. The licensing of Tele 2 (UK) Ltd., the growth in point-to-point fixed links and satellite earth stations will herald a new environment in which the nature and technical characteristics of the 4 GHz frequency band will change and present new challenges for the successful co-existence of all services in this band.
	New services will gain access to this band through frequency co-ordination of their services with the existing licensed services. RA will manage this process and act as an arbitrator to facilitate mutual agreement.
	RA is aware that prior to the introduction of the new services, the 4GHz frequency band has also been used by receive-only satellite earth stations which became exempt from licensing in 1989 under UK legislation (SI 1989 No 123). Existing receive-only earth station operators who wish to be taken into account in the planning of point-to-point link and FWA services are advised to contact the Agency before 1st July 2000.

Press Enquiries: 020 7211 0500
Out of Hours: 020 7215 5600/5110
Public Enquiries: 020 7211 0211
Textphone (for people with hearing impairments): 020 7215 6740
E-mail: library@ra.gsi.gov.uk
RA website: www.radio.gov.uk

Top