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

Expansion of 80m Radio Band in Thailand

During the October meeting of the  Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST),  President (Jack) Jakkree announced that the national regulator, the NBTC are expected to announce an expansion in 80m from 3.5 - 3.54 MHz to 3.5 - 3.6 MHz, an increase of 60 kHz.

Full meeting notes - http://www.qsl.net/rast/

UK Shipping Forecast on LW to End?

The possibility of the retirement of Long Wave transmitters could endanger shipping around the UK, as shipping forecasts transmitted on FM would only reach 12 miles off-shore.

Peter Jefferson, a retired shipping forecast announcer, who had provided updates for 40 of the 90 year service was discussing the service at a recent Radio Times Festival in Hampton Court, UK.

He said how many people relied on the service, not just seaman, as some land based listeners used the shipping forecast as a “sleeping pill”

"If long wave is retired, which might be the case, then I don't know what will happen to the shipping forecast." - Peter Jefferson

Full article - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/11892805/End-of-Shipping-Forecast-on-long-wave-radio-could-leave-sailors-high-and-dry.html