Ofcom Auction of Former Amateur / Ham Radio Spectrum

Ofcom has confirmed plans for releasing valuable new airwaves that could be used to meet the growing demand for mobile broadband services 

An auction is planned to take place in early 2016 for the spectrum, which has been made available by the Ministry of Defence as part of a wider Government initiative to free up public sector spectrum for civil uses.

A total of 190 MHz of high-capacity spectrum is being made available in two bands – 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz – which are particularly suited for high-speed mobile broadband services. This is equivalent to around three-quarters of the spectrum released by Ofcom through the 4G auction in 2013.

Ofcom has also published details of the auction process and is setting reserve prices totalling £70m for the spectrum.

The spectrum to be auctioned comprises 2350-2390 MHz, 3410-3480 MHz, 3500-3580 MHz.

2.3 and 3.4 GHz Auction - http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/2.3-3.4-ghz-auction-design/statement/

2.3 and 3.4 GHz Notice - http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/notice-2.3-3.4-ghz-spectru