Ofcom to auction off advanced telecoms spectrum

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This summer Ofcom auctions off the largest single release of radio spectrum ever, which has the potential to be used for mobile broadband and wireless services such as WiMax and 3G.

The spectrum is in the 2010-2025MHz and 2500-2690MHz bands, which are known as 2.6GHz. A total of 205MHz will be available.

In comparison to other spectrum which has been awarded, Ofcom said that the properties of the 2.6GHz spectrum meant that operators could deploy wireless broadband services at very high speeds and capacity.

Ofcom said that the auction will be designed to offer maximum flexibility in that all bands can be used and all licences are tradable.

"The release of the 2.6 GHz radio spectrum will create opportunities for fresh innovation, new services and competition for the benefit of consumers in the UK," said Philip Rutnam, Ofcom's partner in charge of spectrum policy.

It will be sold on a technology and service neutral basis, which allows organisations to use the spectrum within certain technical specifications to prevent harmful interference.

The auction is part of a wider Ofcom programme, which will try to sell off 400MHz of spectrum over the next few years.

Later this spring the regulator is due to decide on the fate of prime spectrum that will be released following the digital television switchover.

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