Ofcom, the comms regulator, is proposing to introduce the biggest round of radio spectrum trading the UK wireless communications market has yet seen.
In a new consultation document, Ofcom has added to its spectrum liberalisation plans by proposing to release a number of chunks of spectrum through an auction.
This spectrum, said Ofcom, will come from the existing 900MHz licensees which will be required to release 10MHz of spectrum in total (this is made up of 2 x 5MHz).
This could create a higher level of competition in the provision of next generation broadband mobile services. As such it mirrors what the government did in the early 1990s with the creation of Europe's most liberalised and competitive mobile phone market.
In another move designed to drive competition in services, the licences would be tradable to ensure what Ofcom called "the most efficient use".
Ofcom has already proposed that the conditions on spectrum usage attached to 2G and 3G licences in the 1980s and 1990s be removed.
The hope is that spectrum currently restricted to voice and data 2G mobile services will used for a wider range of 3G mobile services.
Subject to the consultation, Ofcom would aim to auction the released spectrum in summer 2010.
The document also confirms Ofcom's view that the regulator should not require other spectrum bands to be released, as these do not provide the same advantages as 900MHz.
Ofcom is anticipating forthcoming European legislation later this year that will set a framework for liberalising these spectrum bands.
The consultation can be found at: www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/spectrumlib/
See also: Electronics Weekly's Focus on Ofcom, a roundup of content related to the UK communications regulator, and also a related focus on wireless technologies.
See also: Electronics Weekly's Focus on Wireless, a roundup of content related to wireless communications.