UK spectrum auction to be for all technologies

THE AUCTION of the electromagnetic spectrum currently owned by the MOD will be "available for all technologies."

Currently the MOD controls much of the spectrum for military applications in areas such as satellite communications, radio communications and areas such as unmanned aircraft (spy planes). But lots of it isn’t used or used inefficiently.

May is the merry month for spectrum auction plans. That is the month when the Ministry of Defence will reveal to us its plan of how and how much of the electromagnetic spectrum it will make available for commercial market.

The Forward Look document (pdf) contains details of which bands the MOD is examining for possible auction.

It said: “The MOD has initiated a programme of work to identify which spectrum can be released and when. This programme has examined first the 3.4 to 3.6 GHz, 2.7 to 3.4 GHz and 406.1 to 430 MHz bands and is in the process of identifying spectrum which can be freed and released to the market during 2008.

The MOD will complete the audit of 3.4 to 3.6 GHz in summer 2007, and of 2.7 to 3.4 GHz and 406.1 to 430 MHz by the end of 2007 and the remainder of the 23 priority bands identified by the Independent Audit.

By May 2008 the MOD will complete a database of spectrum use of the bands identified by the Independent Audit and will publish a detailed implementation plan setting out plans for the sale of those bands that can be released, and including plans for future military spectrum requirements.

The release of priority bands will begin during 2008 with further bands following in 2009. A significant proportion of the MOD's spectrum holdings will be released during 2009 and 2010.

The government is selling off the spectrum to private business and public sector bodies, though not the MOD, will then buy communications services back from them. It’s known as the digital dividend. All you digital CB radio enthusiasts should get your bids ready now.

Much of the spectrum is expected to be taken up for communication and broadcast services connected with the staging of the 2012 London Olympics or by digital citizen‘s band radio enthusiasts.

Ofcom offered a list of possible uses for the spectrum:

• Public mobile, including cellular mobile, paging, public mobile data networks, and public access mobile radio.
• Broadcasting, including analogue and digital TV, and analogue and digital radio.
• Satellite links, meaning the operation of satellite links, such as VSATs and permanent earth stations.
• Fixed links, meaning the operation of radio fixed links, for example to substitute for or supplement cable links in telecommunications infrastructure.
• Wireless broadband, meaning the provision of WiFi and other wireless access services.
• Private mobile radio, meaning mobile radio communications services provided for non-public use, such as by emergency services, taxi companies and transport companies.
  

And others, including non-commercial aviation, amateur radio, citizen’s band and other radio uses (but excluding commercial aviation and Government, including MOD, use). µ