UK regulator Ofcom has announced plans for the auction of spectrum at 872-876MHz paired with 917-921MHz (2x4MHz) in early 2007. The regulator says the available license will be made independent of which technology or application th bidder intends to run.
Ofcom has identified a wide range of potential uses for this spectrum, including public and private mobile radio services or Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) which means, for example, radio microphones and audio links at concerts or sporting events. The spectrum could also be used for emergency services communications or possibly other mobile data or voice services. The award process is intended to give maximum freedom to the market to decide how the spectrum is used.
The key elements of the proposed award are:
* one licence will be offered to cover all of the UK;
* the licence will be tradeable, with an initial minimum period of 15 years;
* the licence will be technology and application neutral;
* the licence will contain technical requirements designed to protect neighbouring spectrum users from harmful interference;
* the auction will be decided by a single round of sealed bids
* the minimum price will be £50,000.
The deadline for responses to this consultation is 21 June 2006. Ofcom will consider these responses and plans to hold a seminar for interested parties in the early summer. Ofcom will then aim to publish the following by the end of 2006 ahead of an auction in 2007:
* a statement on the responses to the consultation;
* an Information Memorandum with details of the award procedure and rules, licence conditions and other information likely to affect use of the band; and
* draft regulations setting out the auction rules and the mechanisms allowing trading in these bands.