Ofcom To Make 700MHz Spectrum Available For Mobile Data

Ofcom has confirmed plans to offer spectrum in the 700MHz band to operators for mobile broadband use but promises this won’t have a major impact on Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), which is currently broadcast in these airwaves.

The communications regulator has been investigating the possibility of reassigning the 700MHz band for some time, valuing the long range afforded by the frequencies, to help the UK cope with growing demand for mobile data.

It is hoped that this reassignment will take place by the start of 2022, but could happen as early as 2020.

Ofcom 700MHz sale

There had been fears that such a move would necessitate another switchover, like the one from analogue to digital transmissions completed in October 2012, but Ofcom has promised this won’t be necessary and claims that the “vast majority” will only need to retune their equipment.

However 0.5 percent will need to upgrade their rooftop aerial to continue to receive Freeview TV and it is unclear if any assistance will be offered to those affected. In any case, Ofcom says there will be no impact until at least 2019.

The 700MHz band is also used for wireless microphones and Ofcom will look to see what spectrum can be found so that those in the entertainment industry are not affected. More details are expected next year.

“This is a crucial next step in the development of the UK’s communications infrastructure,” says Ed Richards, Ofcom CEO. “This decision ensures that we are making the raw materials available with which investors and companies can build the services which will support the digital economy of the future.

“More spectrum will be available for mobile broadband where demand is especially high, but the UK will retain a competitive terrestrial television platform as well.”

Ofcom believes mobile data demand will be 45 times what it is now by 2030 and is working to find more spectrum to support future services like 5G. It claims to have identified ’25 times’ the amount of bandwidth currently in use. The first stage of this will be the auction of spectrum in the 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands possibly as early as next year.

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