Enabling mmWave spectrum for new uses: Statement and consultation on auction design
- Start: 08 November 2023
- Status: Open
- End: 09 January 2024
We are enabling the industry to use a large amount of spectrum in the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands (together, “mmWave spectrum”) for new services, including 5G. The 26 GHz and 40 GHz spectrum bands, which together comprise 6.25 GHz of spectrum, have both been identified for mobile services globally, and for 5G in Europe. Making mmWave spectrum available for new uses has the potential to deliver significant benefits to people and businesses in the UK.
In this document we set out the design of the auction for awarding citywide licences for this spectrum. We also invite any further evidence on whether or not we should include a negotiation period in the assignment stage.
Responding to this consultation
Please submit responses using the consultation response form (ODT, 98.2 KB).
Main documents
Decisions on the licence conditions which we will use in authorising this spectrum.
Main documents
September 2023 Statement: Enabling mmWave spectrum for new uses (PDF, 2.8 MB)
Annexes 4-5: Draft licences (PDF, 439.8 KB)
Annexes 6-9: Draft Interface Requirements (PDF, 326.5 KB)
Annex 10: High Density Areas (PDF, 13.2 MB)
Supporting documents
We have published an update on revoking licences in the 40 GHz band.
Today we have published a revised version of our Statement and further consultation: Enabling mmWave for new uses (PDF, 3.6 MB) to correct the following error in section 10 (Coexistence and coordination). In Table 10.3, we had incorrectly stated that the antenna height AGL for low power (outdoor) base stations in the 26 GHz band was ‘user specified up to a maximum of 5m’. This has been corrected to ‘user specified up to a maximum of 10m’, aligning with the information provided in paragraph 10.34.
We have also published a revised version of our Annexes 16-18: Coexistence analysis (PDF, 3.4 MB) to correct the receiver location NGR values for 26 GHz links operating around high density areas in Annex 18 (Fixed links for revocation), which had become misaligned due to a formatting error.
Today we have republished our Annexes 5 to 9: supporting information (PDF, 3.9 MB) document to correct the following error in our illustrative auction procedures (Annex 9).
In box 6 ('Worked-up example of principal stage'), bidder A previously bid for more lots than were available in 26 GHz lower in round 1. We have corrected this, and altered further bids and round prices throughout the example to ensure it complies with the proposed auction rules.
Ofcom is responsible for managing the UK’s radio spectrum, the range of radio frequencies essential for all wireless communications.
We have decided to make over 6 GHz of millimetre wave (mmWave) spectrum available across the 26 GHz (24.25-27.5 GHz) and 40 GHz (40.5 GHz-43.5 GHz) bands for mobile technology, including 5G. This spectrum has the potential to deliver significant benefits by enabling large increases in wireless data capacity and speeds, and we want to provide industry with certainty of access to this spectrum to enable timely investment and innovation.
We are taking a proactive approach to making mmWave spectrum available, to enable investment in faster, better quality services and innovation. We consider that making the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands available for new uses at the same time will maximise this spectrum’s potential to benefit for people and businesses.
In our statement, we set out how we will allocate mmWave spectrum to best support new uses. We are also consulting on proposals for the design of the auction for citywide licences, the licence conditions for citywide and local mmWave licences and how we will coordinate users of this spectrum.
Statement and annexes
Statement and further consultation: Enabling mmWave spectrum for new uses (PDF, 3.6 MB)
Published 13 March 2023
Datganiad ac ymgynghoriad: Galluogi sbectrwm mmWave ar gyfer defnyddiau newydd (PDF, 182.0 KB)
Published 13 March 2023
Annexes 5 to 9: Supporting information (PDF, 3.9 MB)
Published 13 March 2023
Annexes 10 to 15: Draft licences and interface requirements (PDF, 871.2 KB)
Published 13 March 2023
Annexes 16 to 18: Coexistence analysis (PDF, 3.4 MB)
Published 13 March 2023
Statement and annexes
Consultation: Enabling mmWave spectrum for new uses (PDF, 4.5 MB)
Published 9 May 2022
Annexes 5-8: Enabling mmWave spectrum for new uses (PDF, 3.7 MB)
Published 9 May 2022
Ymgynghoriad: Galluogi sbectrwm mmWave ar gyfer defnyddiau newydd (PDF, 168.4 KB)
Published 9 May 2022
Cost model (consultation) (XLSM, 182.7 KB)
Published 30 May 2022
