Ofcom has unveiled its plans of moving spectrum in 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands from public sector and auctioning it for commercial usage to ensure that UK has enough spectrum to meet with future mobile broadband demands.
In addition to the 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands Ofcom is also proposing the use of 700MHz band for mobile broadband by 2018, which is currently being used for digital terrestrial TV. Ofcom is looking to auction the 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands sometime in 2015-16, while the use of ‘white space’ for mobile broadband is tentatively slated for 2018. Ofcom will lead a pilot to check the feasibility of using ‘white space’ for mobile broadband.
According to Ofcom the number of identified spectrum plus the ongoing developments for 5G could increase the mobile capacity in the UK by more than 25 times by 2030. The amount of spectrum identified is around seven times the amount which was available at the 4G spectrum auction earlier this year.
Chief Executive Ed Richards said “We’re looking at ways to use spectrum more efficiently and consider future releases of prime spectrum. By doing so, we can help to meet the significant demands placed on our wireless infrastructure and develop one of the world’s leading digital economies.”
