PFWACC Meeting - 10.00am 31st July 2002 - Cancelled

Statement to the Public Fixed Wireless Access Consultative Committee

Government announced on 22 July 2002 that new Regulations had been laid in Parliament to make arrangements for the auction of the 3.4GHz waveband of the radio spectrum, which can deliver wireless broadband services.

A consultation, launched in April, sought comments on plans to make available the 3.4GHz waveband.

The Government is committed to building a broadband Britain by offering services through as many platforms as possible. Its aim is to have the most extensive and competitive broadband market in the G7 by 2005. Since the award of these public fixed wireless access licences is a key part of the strategy the Government has decided to consider further the terms and conditions of the award. No date has yet been decided for the publication of the draft auction notice and information memorandum. The public meeting called for Wednesday 31 July has therefore been postponed for the time being, but an announcement will be made when our re-assessment is complete.