UK telecoms regulator Ofcom plans to auction a 40MHz block of radiofrequency spectrum between 1,452MHz and 1,492MHz.

The block of spectrum will be "technology and application neutral", said the regulator, with possible uses including mobile TV, broadband wireless access, and satellite digital radio.

Ofcom is proposing a scheme where licences are tradeable, the lower 27.5MHz could be available as one or more packages, the remaining 12.5MHz will be awarded as a single spectrum block, and the award will be decided by a simultaneous multiple round auction.

There are some blocks to overcome in the form of an EU treaty from 2002 that limits certain spectrum use in the UK. Ofcom said it would seek to have those blocks removed.

"Ofcom considers that some of these constraints are no longer necessary in the interests of good spectrum management, and Ofcom will be seeking international agreement to a more flexible approach over coming months," it said.

Ofcom said it will continue with its plan for a rolling programme of spectrum auctions, which will eventually free up 400MHz of spectrum between 400MHz and 3GHz.

The full consultation document is published at www.ofcom.org.uk. Responses must be in by June 9, 2006.