Ofcom Announces Mobile Broadband Spectrum Decision
July 11th, 2009
Giving credence to reports in the news about decisions on spectrum allocations, Ofcom officially declared its plans to free 800 MHz bandwidth of spectrum to provide mobile broadband services.
The government has decided to free this spectrum keeping in line with their ‘digital dividend’ plan which envisages releasing the airwaves by shifting to digital TV. Ofcom feels that this move will help bring the
In the earlier plan of 2003, it was envisaged that the spectrum would be released in smaller segments. However, the regulator has now decided to free the entire 800 MHz in one go to clear way for the implementation of newer technologies of mobile broadband and keep the United Kingdom in line with the rest of Europe.
Some of the European nations which have decided to release the entire 800 MHz spectrum include
The regulator cited cheaper equipment prices and greater freedom for the next generation of mobile broadband, leading to a more competitive industry, as the prime reasons behind the movie. Financial benefits of this spectrum allocation are estimated to be worth £2.5 to £3 billion, but a time has not been set for its sale yet.
