The London 2012 Games take place between 27 July and 9 September 2012.
During this period, and immediately before and after the Games, the demand for access to spectrum suited to wireless camera technologies will be exceptionally high. The Government has guaranteed to the International Olympic Committee that sufficient spectrum will be made available for the organisation of the Games. Since 2006 Ofcom has been developing a spectrum plan to match the significant spectrum needs of the Games with appropriate frequencies. With this in mind we consulted on 23 August 2010 about whether we should reserve spectrum within the 2500-2690 MHz range (the 2.6 GHz band) for use by wireless cameras at the London 2012 Games. This consultation closed on 17 September 2010.
The responses to the consultation raised points about alternative uses for the 2.6 GHz band in 2012. We published an update to the spectrum plan for the London 2012 Games on 18 October 2010. This stated that we would seek additional information in order to undertake a further assessment of any opportunity cost or consumer harm from:
- restricting the availability of the 2.6 GHz band for new mobile services like Long Term Evolution (LTE) and WiMAX or
- restricting the availability of the 2.6 GHz band for wireless cameras at and around London 2012 Games venues.
We have now undertaken that further assessment.
The responses also raised a question about the impact of airborne wireless cameras on radars that use the 2700-2900 MHz band. We have therefore undertaken a technical assessment of this question.