This Statement sets out our spectrum plan for wireless communications at the London 2012 Games. It also includes high-level approaches to licensing (authorisation) and interference management.
Ofcom is responsible for organising a full spectrum plan for the London 2012 Games, for arranging all the licences in good time in support of the plan and for ensuring all key wireless services are kept free from harmful interference. Our consultation document of May 2009 set out a draft spectrum plan to meet the Government's spectrum guarantees to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with minimum disruption to other users.
At the same time, we recognise and acknowledge the importance of services not covered by the Government's spectrum guarantees to the success of the London 2012 Games and the importance of day-to-day services. We are working to ensure that any spectrum requirements generated because of the unique nature of the London 2012 Games, but not covered by the guarantees, are met and coordinated with day-to-day spectrum uses to the greatest extent possible.
We plan to award spectrum in the next year or so to a band manager with obligations to programme-making and special events (PMSE) users. We have already indicated that we will need access to some of the spectrum to be awarded to meet the needs of the London 2012 Games. Applicants for the licence will need to take account of this along with any requirements imposed in the licence to ensure efficient coordination between shared use of the same spectrum.