Ofcom releases new broadband spectrum

Licences will be auctioned for frequencies at 10GHz, 28GHz and 32GHz

Ofcom has today announced the spectrum suitable for new broadband services.

The communications regulator has published proposals for the release of radio spectrum potentially suitable for a range of new broadband, wireless communications and broadcast services for businesses and consumers.

It intends to auction licences for frequencies at 10GHz, 28GHz and 32GHz on a technology and application-neutral basis towards the end of 2007.

Possible uses for these bands include broadcasting use for video links and wireless cameras, particularly in the 10GHz band.

The services could be developed in time for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Other uses include high-capacity, high-speed data connections for mobile and fixed broadband networks for the 10GHz, 28GHz or 32GHz bands, and broadband access networks for the 10GHz and 28GHz bands.

New wireless services require access to additional radio spectrum, a finite national resource upon which all wireless communications depend.

The auction is part of a programme of spectrum allocation that will be released over the next few years announced by Ofcom in January 2005.

John Delaney, principal analyst at Ovum says mobile operators are lobbying for licences not to be too restrictive as they were for 3G.

‘During the 3G auction, Oftel made it clear it was issuing telecoms licences, but restrictive licences appear less and less appropriate with the diversity of business models incorporating the media and the internet,’ said Delaney.

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