This document contains two statutory notices of Ofcom’s proposals to make changes to spectrum trading regulations for mobile services in the 3600 to 3800 MHz band.
Our first notice concerns our proposal to make the Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Spectrum Trading) (Amendment) Regulations 2017. Those Regulations would, if implemented, bring the transfer of rights for mobile services in the 3600 to 3800 MHz band under the Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Spectrum Trading) Regulations 2011. This change would enable Ofcom to conduct an assessment of the impact on competition of any trade before deciding on whether to approve it. We are also proposing to update references to the relevant regulations prescribing the licence fees payable by the holders of tradable licences to reflect the changes introduced by the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges for the 900 MHz frequency band and the 1800 MHz frequency band) (Amendment and Further Provisions) Regulations 2015.
Our second notice concerns our proposal to make the Wireless Telegraphy (Spectrum Trading) (Amendment) Regulations 2017. Its general effect would be to remove the reference to the frequency band 3605 to 3689 MHz in the Wireless Telegraphy (Spectrum Trading) Regulations 2012 as a result of the proposed changes set out in our first notice.
We invite comments on our proposed regulations and regulatory impact assessment by 5pm on 27January 2017. We have consulted on the related policy issue about making the 3600 to 3800 MHz band available for 5G / mobile services in the future. That consultation closed on 15 December 2016. Subject to our consideration of consultation responses, we intend to make the final regulations as soon as practicable.
