Internet of Things (IoT)
Definition
The interconnection via the Internet of computing devices embedded in everyday objects, enabling them to send and receive data.
How do I gain access to spectrum for an IoT service?
Access to IOT spectrum is available on a licence exempt basis or you can obtain spectrum through a Wireless Telegraphy Act licence.
Internet of Things frequency ranges
Licence exempt use of IoT spectrum
The frequency ranges highlighted above are available for IoT applications on a licence exempt basis except for those below 800MHz which are available through a Business Radio Internet of Things licence.
Licensing IoT spectrum
If you wish to gain access to IoT spectrum through a Business Radio Internet of Things licence then the following frequency ranges are available.
55.75625-60 MHz
62.75625-64.8 MHz
64.8875-66.2 MHz
70.5-71.5 MHz
80.0-81.5 MHz
What types of licence can I choose from?
There are two types of licence available to you.
Technically Assigned:
This licence is a flexible licence that authorises the use of a wide variety of business radio equipment. This licence is suitable if you wish to operate spectrum at a particular site or sites, from very small (e.g. in-building coverage) to very large (e.g. a county).
The licence fee is £75 per 25 kHz per site.
Area Defined:
Area Defined licences give customers exclusive use of a frequency across either a 50km2 grid square, a country, or the whole of the UK. Licence fees are calculated using a combination of frequency width, frequency range and region covered. A table of licence fees based on the region covered is shown below.
Band One (55.75 MHz - 68 MHz) annual fees per 2 x 12½ kHz (or 1 x 25kHz) channel.
| Assignment Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Area-defined (UK) | 600 |
| Area-defined (England) | 150 |
| Area-defined (Wales) | 150 |
| Area-defined (Scotland) | 150 |
| Area-defined (Northern Ireland) | 150 |
| Area-defined GB (England, Wales and Scotland) 450 | 450 |
| Area-defined per Trading Unit in population category A | 150 |
| Area-defined per Trading Unit in population category B* | 50 |
| Area-defined per Trading Unit in population category C* | 5 |
| *Please note that a minimum fee of £75 applies. |
Technical Criteria
The criteria including maximum effective radiated power permissible for Internet of Things services are defined in Interface Requirement 2044. If you have an application that is not compliant with the Interface please get in touch.
Contact Details
If you have any questions regarding the information displayed on this page please contact kevin.delaney@ofcom.org.uk