1.1 This Statement sets out our decisions in respect of variations to the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz licences proposed in our Consultation published on 1 February 2013.
1.2 For the reasons set out in this Statement, we have decided to proceed with the variations that permit the use of 4G technology in each of the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz licences and to increase the maximum permitted power in the 900MHz licences by 3dB. At the same time we will update a number of terms and conditions in these licences in order to align them more closely with the equivalent terms and conditions in the recently awarded 800MHz and 2.6GHz licences.
1.3 This decision delivers a long standing objective to liberalise all mobile licences so as to remove the regulatory barriers to deployment of the latest available mobile technology. Even though operators may not seek to deploy 4G services in the newly liberalised bands in the immediate future, the interests of consumers will be served by the fact that these bands have been liberalised now, ahead of a market led transition to their use for 4G technology in future. As a result, operators can plan and implement a transition to 4G technology in these bands without having to engage in a further regulatory process.