Ofcom consults on next stage of digital dividend

UK regulator invites comments on TV radio spectrum release

Ofcom is consulting on TV radio spectrum release

UK communications regulator Ofcom has announced a consultation on plans to release radio spectrum in the 800MHz band, a region ideal for new mobile broadband systems.

The move comes after other European countries plan to release a larger band than Ofcom had bargained for. The EU spectrum release comprises 72MHz with a frequency band of 790-862MHz, larger than Ofcom's proposed release of 48MHz in the frequency band 806-854MHz.

Ofcom previously had other plans, saying it intended "to use channels 61 and 62 for digital terrestrial television and channel 69 for programme-making and special events, mainly wireless microphones, after the digital switchover."

These channels are in the 800MHz region that Ofcom planned to release, so the watchdog is now proposing to move these channels to a lower frequency so they can release a larger amount of spectrum in the 800MHz region, and so is seeking comments on this endeavour.

Ofcom said that the consultation "welcomes all views from stakeholders on the issues that this consultation document raises. Responses are due by 20 April 2009."

The consultation document contains "an outline of the next steps in the award of the digital dividend itself", which Ofcom expects to award in 2010.

"This reflects the time required to conclude the international negotiations mentioned above and other technical discussions already under way in the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations," added Ofcom.