Ofcom discussion document on award of spectrum at 2500-2690 MHz and 2010-2025 MHz

On Wednesday, Ofcom published a discussion document on the proposed award of spectrum at 2500-2690 MHz and 2010-2025 MHz. The document can be found at:http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/2ghzdiscuss/

The discussion document says "There was very limited interest in the 2290 MHz band and varying views on whether any award should be held before the 2.6GHz auction as proposed in the December Consultation. We therefore intend to separate the 2290 MHz band from the 2.6GHz award process and consider it again at a later date."

A few years ago Radio Amateurs in the UK lost the 2300 - 2310 MHz segment which was used for weak signal working. It is interesting to see there is apparently so little commercial interest in spectrum in this region.

The full discussion document is at
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/
2ghzdiscuss/main.pdf

Ofcom have looked at the interference potential from neighbouring contries.

In Eire the 2500-2686MHz-frequency band is used for the Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS) service which provides a subscription digital and analogue television distribution.

In France, the 2500-2690MHz frequency band is used mainly by the national military police force (Gendarmerie Nationale) for fixed and tactical (point to point) radio.

The report can be seen at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/
2ghzdiscuss/mmds.pdf

This award has the potential to impact on radio equipment used for Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE), which has frequency allocations in the spectrum 2000 MHz – 2500 MHz. Accordingly Ofcom commissioned a study to
quantify, through a measurement programme, the susceptibility of PMSE receivers to interference from adjacent channel UMTS and WiMAX transmissions.

A copy of the report is available at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/
2ghzdiscuss/era.pdf

Comments on the updated proposals for the award are invited by 28 September 2007.