Government set to release public spectrum

Comms minister Ed Vaizey says at least 500 MHz of holdings will be released by 2020

Communications minister Ed Vaizey has today revealed plans to release 500 MHz of publicly held spectrum by 2020, in a document entitled ‘Enabling UK Growth - Releasing public spectrum'.

The government describes spectrum as a valuable and scarce resource, and is seeing the highest demand for its use from mobile telecommunication companies.

"This is a long-term project to ensure industry is able to meet the growing demand for services that need spectrum," said Vaizey.

"The use of smartphones and mobile broadband is set to increase rapidly. Releasing more spectrum over the next decade will be essential if industry is to meet that growing demand," he added.

"We must ensure the public sector uses this valuable resource as efficiently as possible. If the public sector does not need it, then it should be released so businesses can use it to grow."

The public sector currently owns around half of the most useful spectrum and uses it for a variety of services including defence, emergency services, transport and science.

The Ministry of Defence has identified two bands (2310 - 2390 MHz and 3400 - 3600 MHz) from which it expects to release 160 MHz of spectrum.

The remaining 340 MHz is likely to come from the following bands, but these still require further investigation:

• 2700 - 3100 MHz

• 3100 - 3400 MHz

• 4400 - 5000 MHz

• A further five bands above 1GHz

• A further five bands below 1 GHz

For mobile communications, spectrum below 1GHz is best used in rural areas as it can travel long distances. Whereas spectrum above 1 GHz is best used in urban areas as it carries more information at a greater speed.

This news comes after Ofcom recently unveiled plans for the 4G spectrum auction to be held in early 2012.

The government is accepting responses to the plans for releasing publicly held spectrum up until 23 June 2011.