Ofcom publishes Information Memorandum for Spectrum Auction

Ofcom has just published an Information Memorandum and associated draft regulations for the auction of a number of low-power Wireless Telegraphy Act licences for the spectrum bands 1781.7-1785MHz paired with 1876.7-1880MHz.

Section 3(2) of the Communications Act 2003 requires Ofcom to secure the optimal use of the spectrum and the availability of a wide range of electronic communication services. In January 2005 Ofcom consulted on its Spectrum Framework Review: Implementation Plan, proposing a number of awards across a wide range of frequencies.

The auction of these spectrum bands will mark the first of these awards, and is expected to take place before the end of March 2006. A number of organisations have expressed interest in these particular bands. They have suggested they could be used for a range of applications, such as
private GSM networks in office buildings or campuses, and they have noted that most mobile phones in current use can tune to these frequencies.

Ofcom published a detailed consultation on its proposals in July 2005. Following that consultation, Ofcom has amended its proposals to offer:

* more licences to the market. There will now be a minimum of seven licences and a maximum of twelve; and

* more flexibility for licensees. For example, if the licensees agree, they will be able to increase the power limit in specific circumstances, such as tunnels or isolated sites, although the licences will remain low power in character.

All of the relevant documents can be found at www.ofcom.org.uk. The statutory consultation period expires on 5 January 2006.