Ofcom has held three consultations, in January 2005, October 2005 and April 2006, in connection with the award of wireless telegraphy licences for use of the spectrum bands 412-414 MHz paired with 422-424 MHz. It has also published an Information Memorandum in respect of this award in April 2006.
Ofcom has carefully considered the responses to these consultations, including those to the last consultation on the draft statutory instruments to be made in connection with the award. It considers that the responses do not require changes to any of the four statutory instruments relevant to this award.
Ofcom has made some changes to the drafting in the interests of clarity and these are discussed in this Statement.
Ofcom has now made the four statutory instruments and submitted them for registration and publication. They will come into force on 7 August 2006.
Ofcom is provisionally indicating in this Statement that the award process will commence in the week beginning 11 September 2006. Ofcom expects that the application date will be Thursday, 14 September 2006, although this will be confirmed by Ofcom via publication on its website after the statutory instruments have come into force.
Ofcom will hold a seminar on the auction rules before the start of the award process, on Tuesday, 5 September 2006.