Spectrum awards
Approach
Ofcom's approach to specific spectrum awards is assessed case by case. However, our general approach is to prepare an award, including determining spectrum packaging and auction design, in a way that is most likely to secure the optimal use of the spectrum. In doing this, we generally aim to give the market as much flexibility as possible to determine how the spectrum is used, without pre-determining the technologies or applications that may be used, while protecting neighbouring users from harmful interference.
For information on all our awards please see our Awards in Progress, Prospective Awards and the Awards Archive.
Public Sector Spectrum Releases
The public sector has around half of the most useful spectrum and it uses it for a variety of services including defence, emergency services, transport and science.
Against a background of increasing demand for spectrum from both the public and private sectors, the Government announced in their March 2011 Enabling UK Growth - Releasing public spectrum that at least 500 MHz of public sector holdings below 5 GHz is planned to be released by 2020.
As part of the Government's plans, the Ministry of Defence has identified bands under its Defence Spectrum Reform work for potential new sharing opportunities for public and private sector users. This is in addition to the award by Ofcom of 2.3 and 3.4 GHz spectrum bands in which MOD is giving up use.
There are no awards in progress at the moment.
mmWave
On 9 May 2022, we published a consultation (PDF, 4.5 MB) setting out our initial proposals for making millimetre wave (mmWave) spectrum in the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands available for use of mobile technology, including 5G.
On 13 March 2023, we published a statement and further consultation (PDF, 3.6 MB), in which we set out our decisions on how we would approach existing users of this spectrum, and the authorisation of the 26 GHz band. We also consulted on proposals for the design of the auction for citywide licences, the licence conditions for citywide and local mmWave licences and how we would coordinate users of this spectrum.
On 25 May 2023, after considering licensees’ representations, we completed the statutory process for revoking existing licences in the 40 GHz band, with 5 years’ notice.
On 27 September 2023, we published a statement (PDF, 2.8 MB) on the licence conditions (including award licence duration) on which we will make mmWave spectrum available, and the method we would use to identify which fixed links are likely to receive harmful interference from new users in the 26 GHz band.
1.4 GHz
On 18 October 2023, we published a call for inputs (PDF, 2.3 MB) on making the 1492-1517 MHz block of the 1.4 GHz band available for mobile use. This seeks stakeholders’ comments on our initial technical analysis of the likely extent of interference mobile use of this spectrum could cause to users of the adjacent 1.5 GHz band, and on our initial views on the measures we could take to mitigate this interference risk.
| Award | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 700 MHz and 3.6-3.8 GHz | Completed | 2021 |
| 2.3 GHz and 3.4-3.6 GHz | Completed | 2018 |
| 870-876 MHz and 915-921 MHz | Completed | 2014 |
| 600 MHz Award | Completed | 2013 |
| 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz | Completed | 2013 |
| 790 - 862 MHz | Closed (superseded by 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz combined award) | 2009 |
| 2500-2690 MHz (with 2010 -2025 MHz) | Closed (superseded by 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz combined award). Also see 2010-2025 MHz | 2009 |
| 542 550 MHz (Licence covering Cardiff area) | Completed | 2008 |
| 758 766 MHz Manchester area | Completed | 2008 |
| 1452-1492 MHz (L Band) | Completed | 2008 |
| Digital Dividend Review | Closed (superseded by 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz combined award) | 2008 |
| 10 GHz, 28 GHz, 32 GHz and 40 GHz | Completed | 2007 |
| 1785-1805 MHz in Northern Ireland | Completed | 2007 |
| 412-414 MHz/422-424 MHz | Completed | 2006 |
| 1781.7-1785 MHz/1876.7-1880 MHz (GSM/ DECT guard bands) | Completed | 2006 |
| 3.4GHz Fixed Wireless Access | Completed | 2003 |
| 28GHz Broadband Fixed Wireless Access | Completed | 2000 |
| Third Generation (3G) Mobile | Completed | 2000 |