As part of Ofcom’s plans to implement its strategy of ensuring optimal use of the radio spectrum it has developed a programme of awards of wireless telegraphy licences that is designed to put unused or under-used spectrum into the market. One such award is of wireless telegraphy licences for the spectrum bands 10 GHz, 28 GHz and 32 GHz. These bands are not currently licensed for use, except for some regional broadband fixed wireless access licences in the 28 GHz band. Part of the 32 GHz band has been open for fixed links assignments since 2003 but there are no current assignments in it and there is a moratorium on applications pending the outcome of this consultation. There is also some use of the available 10 GHz band by the Ministry of Defence.
This consultation sets out in detail Ofcom’s proposals for the award of wireless telegraphy licences to use these bands, in the light of responses it received to the Spectrum Framework Review: Implementation Plan consultation document published in January 2005. It also explains Ofcom’s proposal for deferring the award of licences in the 40 GHz band.