Enabling mmWave spectrum for new uses: Statement and consultation on auction design

In our September 2023 Statement (PDF, 2.8 MB) (paragraph 2.19), we set out our provisional decision to protect the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (the “STFC’s”) radioastronomy site in Cambridge by requiring all award winners of 40 GHz spectrum to comply with a spectrum quality benchmark (“SQB”) limit within 50km of the radioastronomy site.

On 9 April 2024, having considered representations from the STFC, we decided to modify the grant of Recognised Spectrum Access (“RSA”) held by the STFC, which recognises the use of certain frequencies, including in the 42.5-43.5 GHz band. The modification implements the provisional decision set out in our September 2023 Statement, by replacing the “Exclusion zone” in the 42.5-43.5 GHz frequency range with a “Coordination zone” associated with a SQB limit of ‑207 dBW/500 kHz.

This modification will take effect from 1 May 2024. The exclusion zone around the Cambridge radio astronomy site set out in the Spectrum Access 40 GHz licence (PDF, 243.2 KB) held by UK Broadband Limited will continue to apply until the revocation of this licence takes effect (on 1 June 2028).

We note that during the process of modifying the grant of RSA, the STFC brought to our attention that the height of the radioastronomy site would need to be taken into account in coordination with other spectrum users. We therefore intend to add the height of the radio telescope at the Cambridge radioastronomy site to the relevant coordination procedures, which we published in draft form in September 2023.

Coordination of award winners and incumbent users of mmWave spectrum in high density areas.

In Section 4 of our September 2023 statement (PDF, 2.8 MB), we explained that there would be a period during which award winners and incumbent fixed links will both be authorised to use mmWave spectrum in high density areas. This period (the “revocation period”) will last until: (i) 1 January 2030 (at the latest) in the 40.50-40.75 GHz and 42.00-42.25 GHz bands; (ii) 1 June 2028 in the 40.75-42.00 GHz and 42.25-43.5 GHz bands; and (iii) 31 December 2028 in the 25.1 GHz-26.5 GHz band.

At paragraphs 4.60-4.70, we set out our decisions on how we would coordinate award winners with incumbent fixed links during the revocation period. In particular:

• in the 25.1 GHz-26.5 GHz band, award winners will be required to consult a map showing coordination zones around incumbent fixed links, to check whether the area in which they want to deploy any medium power base station falls within a coordination zone. If it does, award winners will be required to submit coordination requests to Ofcom before deploying;
• in the 40.50-40.75 GHz and 42.00-42.25 GHz bands, award winners will be required to submit coordination requests to Ofcom before deploying any medium or low power base station; and
• in the 40.75-42.00 GHz and 42.25-43.5 GHz bands, award winners will be required to submit coordination requests to Ofcom before deploying any medium power base station.

We now clarify that we would normally consider any such request for coordination in line with our approach for coordinating new Shared Access licensees with incumbent fixed links. In particular, we would normally apply a minimum separation distance of 200m from any fixed link station and also carry out detailed technical assignment (see paragraphs 4.30-4.31 of the September 2023 Statement (PDF, 2.8 MB)).

We also clarify that, in line with our standard approach to coordination to protect fixed links (OfW 446 (PDF, 1.4 MB), paras. 2.1 and 2.5), we will apply this minimum separation distance when coordinating new deployments which are co-channel with a fixed link receiver or close in frequency to a fixed link receiver (i.e., within a frequency separation of 2.5 times the bandwidth of the fixed link receiver or less).

As set out in the sample award licence (PDF, 439.8 KB) that we published in draft form (Sch. 1, para. 9), we may review our coordination procedures from time to time.

In Section 7 of our September 2023 statement (PDF, 2.8 MB) (paragraph 7.34), we set out our decision to impose an antenna pointing restriction“in all mmWave award licences and Shared Access licences”.For the avoidance of doubt, as shown in the sample licences (PDF, 439.8 KB) that we published in draft form (see the “Transmitter and antenna restrictions” condition), this restriction will not apply to frequencies in the range 40.5-42.5 GHz.

Enabling mmWave spectrum for new uses – auction design (PDF, 1.0 MB)

Ofcom has decided to revoke approximately 550 Point-to-Point Fixed Link licences in the 24.5–26.5 GHz frequency range, which are likely to receive harmful interference from new users of the spectrum. The revocations will take effect on 31 December 2028.

Background

On 13 March 2023, we published a statement and consultation setting out our decision to begin the statutory process for clearing from the 26 GHz band all the fixed links which are likely to receive harmful interference from new mobile services in ‘high density’ areas (i.e., the UK’s largest towns and cities). We explained that we made that decision because we are making all the spectrum in the 26 GHz band (as well as the 40 GHz band) available for mobile technology, including 5G.

On 27 September 2023, we finalised the method for identifying the fixed links to be cleared and listed the Point-to-Point Fixed Link licences authorising these links in Annex 2 to the September 2023 Statement (PDF, 2.8 MB).

On 7 December 2023, after considering licensees’ representations, we completed the statutory process for revoking existing licences in the 24.5–26.5 GHz frequency range.

Point-to-Point Fixed Link licences are available in other bands

Information about the process for applying for new Point-to-Point Fixed Link licences is set out here.

Decisions on the licence conditions which we will use in authorising this spectrum.

Main documents

September 2023 Statement: Enabling mmWave spectrum for new uses (PDF, 2.8 MB)

Annex 3: [Draft] Coordination procedures under the Spectrum Access High Density 26 GHz/40 GHz licences (PDF, 477.2 KB)

Annexes 4-5: Draft licences (PDF, 439.8 KB)

Annexes 6-9: Draft Interface Requirements (PDF, 326.5 KB)

Annex 10: High Density Areas (PDF, 13.2 MB)

Supporting documents

Cost model (statement) (XLSM, 410.5 KB)

Final high density area shapefiles (ZIP, 20.1 KB)

We have published an update on revoking licences in the 40 GHz band.

Today we have published a revised version of our Statement and further consultation: Enabling mmWave for new uses (PDF, 3.6 MB) to correct the following error in section 10 (Coexistence and coordination). In Table 10.3, we had incorrectly stated that the antenna height AGL for low power (outdoor) base stations in the 26 GHz band was ‘user specified up to a maximum of 5m’. This has been corrected to ‘user specified up to a maximum of 10m’, aligning with the information provided in paragraph 10.34.

We have also published a revised version of our Annexes 16-18: Coexistence analysis (PDF, 3.4 MB) to correct the receiver location NGR values for 26 GHz links operating around high density areas in Annex 18 (Fixed links for revocation), which had become misaligned due to a formatting error.

Today we have republished our Annexes 5 to 9: supporting information (PDF, 3.9 MB) document to correct the following error in our illustrative auction procedures (Annex 9).

In box 6 ('Worked-up example of principal stage'), bidder A previously bid for more lots than were available in 26 GHz lower in round 1. We have corrected this, and altered further bids and round prices throughout the example to ensure it complies with the proposed auction rules.

Ofcom is responsible for managing the UK’s radio spectrum, the range of radio frequencies essential for all wireless communications.

We have decided to make over 6 GHz of millimetre wave (mmWave) spectrum available across the 26 GHz (24.25-27.5 GHz) and 40 GHz (40.5 GHz-43.5 GHz) bands for mobile technology, including 5G. This spectrum has the potential to deliver significant benefits by enabling large increases in wireless data capacity and speeds, and we want to provide industry with certainty of access to this spectrum to enable timely investment and innovation.

We are taking a proactive approach to making mmWave spectrum available, to enable investment in faster, better quality services and innovation. We consider that making the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands available for new uses at the same time will maximise this spectrum’s potential to benefit for people and businesses.

In our statement, we set out how we will allocate mmWave spectrum to best support new uses. We are also consulting on proposals for the design of the auction for citywide licences, the licence conditions for citywide and local mmWave licences and how we will coordinate users of this spectrum.

Statement and annexes

Statement and further consultation: Enabling mmWave spectrum for new uses (PDF, 3.6 MB)
Published 13 March 2023

Datganiad ac ymgynghoriad: Galluogi sbectrwm mmWave ar gyfer defnyddiau newydd (PDF, 182.0 KB)
Published 13 March 2023

Annexes 5 to 9: Supporting information (PDF, 3.9 MB)
Published 13 March 2023

Annexes 10 to 15: Draft licences and interface requirements (PDF, 871.2 KB)
Published 13 March 2023

Annexes 16 to 18: Coexistence analysis (PDF, 3.4 MB)
Published 13 March 2023

Statement and annexes

Consultation: Enabling mmWave spectrum for new uses (PDF, 4.5 MB)
Published 9 May 2022

Annexes 5-8: Enabling mmWave spectrum for new uses (PDF, 3.7 MB)
Published 9 May 2022

Ymgynghoriad: Galluogi sbectrwm mmWave ar gyfer defnyddiau newydd (PDF, 168.4 KB)
Published 9 May 2022

Cost model (consultation) (XLSM, 182.7 KB)
Published 30 May 2022