More mobile spectrum for 4G to be auctioned off next year

Regulator Ofcom says another auction for 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands will boost mobile internet capacity

Communications regulator Ofcom is to release more mobile spectrum for auction next year, with mobile operators expected to be keen to get hold of the extra capacity in order to boost their mobile broadband capabilities.

The spectrum in the 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz bands is currently used by the Ministry of Defence, but will be made available as the government attempts to free-up public-sector spectrum for consumer use.

Potential bidders are being invited to comment on proposals for the auction, which is expected to kick off in late 2015 or early 2016.

Ofcom said that the spectrum has not been reserved for any particular use, but it acknowledged that it is likely to interest the mobile communications industry, which relies on the spectrum to offer internet services to consumers' smartphones and tablets.

The 2.3 GHz spectrum is being used for 4G services in 10 countries outside of Europe, including China, India and Australia. Many existing smartphones are compatible with the spectrum, including the Apple iPhone 5 and iPhone 6, HTC Desire, and the latest Samsung Galaxy phones.

Meanwhile, the 3.4 GHz band is already being used for 4G wireless broadband in the UK, as well as six other countries, including Canada and Spain.

Under Ofcom's proposals, a total of 190 MHz of spectrum will be auctioned off from the two bands - equivalent to about three-quarters of the airwaves released by Ofcom in the 4G auction in 2013.

The regulator wants to auction the spectrum in 38 lots of 5 MHz, with bidders being able to request a minimum bid of four lots per band.

Ofcom claims that it has proposed a safeguard cap "to promote competition". The cap would limit operators' mobile spectrum holdings to 37 per cent of relevant spectrum, and this would include the newly-auctioned spectrum.

Philip Marnick, Ofcom spectrum group director, said that more spectrum is needed to keep up with the demand for mobile data services. "Today marks an important step in ensuring that the UK has sufficient spectrum to support our wireless economy.

"It comes in response to the fast pace of change and innovation taking place in the communications sector, which is placing increased demands on how spectrum is used by all industries. One important way of meeting this demand is making new spectrum available and its use as flexible as possible," he said.

The consultation closes on 23 January 2015.