Executive Summary
1.1 In January 2005, Ofcom published outline proposals for the award of licences to use the frequencies 1781.7-1785 MHz paired with 1876.7-1880 MHz (“the Licences” and “the Spectrum Bands”). These frequencies are currently substantially unused in the UK. These proposals were set out in the Spectrum Framework Review: Implementation Plan (“SFR:IP”), which also included consideration of the options for releasing a wide range of other available frequencies.
1.2 Having considered carefully the responses to the proposals in the SFR:IP, Ofcom published a further, more detailed consultation relating specifically to the Spectrum Bands in July 2005 (“the July Consultation”).
1.3 Ofcom has now considered carefully the responses received to the July Consultation, as well as feedback received during two public seminars that have been held relating to the proposals. In light of this consideration Ofcom has reached conclusions on a wide range of matters that were the subject of the July Consultation. This statement sets out those conclusions. The principal matters in relation to which Ofcom has decided to amend its proposals following the consultation include the following:
- the technical Licence conditions
- the power limits for the licensed frequencies at 1781.7-1785 MHz and 1876.7-1880 MHz are now defined as an EIRP density masks expressed in dBm/kHz rather than a fixed maximum EIRP expressed as dBm per carrier;
- the Licences will now include an option for the licensees in the Spectrum Bands as a result of this award (the “Licensees”) to agree unanimously to a limited increase in the in-band power limit in certain specific circumstances (such as where systems are geographically or physically isolated, for instance in tunnels and basements); the Licences will however still be low power in character;
- the minimum and maximum number of Licences in the range on offer for the menu bidding auction has been amended from a minimum of 5 and maximum of 10 to a minimum of 7 and maximum of 12.
1.4 Ofcom is publishing the following other documents alongside this Statement which are relevant to the award of licences for the Spectrum Bands:
- an Information Memorandum, which sets out relevant information for the attention of interested parties to help them decide whether to proceed with further investigations of possible participation in the award. This includes a description of the spectrum packaging and the auction format and rules; and
- a Notice of Ofcom’s proposal to make four statutory instruments in relation to the award process in accordance with sections 394 and 395 of the Communications Act 2003. These statutory instruments include the auction regulations, regulations extending spectrum trading to the Spectrum Bands, an order limiting the number of licences in the Spectrum Bands and regulations to allow for publication of the identity and terms of the licences in the Spectrum Bands.
1.5 Interested parties are advised to familiarise themselves with the auction regulations as these contain rules preventing association and collusion between bidders.
1.6 Ofcom intends to start the award process before the end of the financial year 2005-06.
The full document is available below