This statement describes our conclusions, following a public consultation last year, on a new framework designed to enable public bodies to manage their radio spectrum holdings better. For the purposes of this document, “public sector spectrum holdings” include spectrum used by civil aviation and maritime operators, even though these are predominantly in the private sector.
We received over 50 responses and are grateful to all who commented. There was broad support for the objective of improving public sector spectrum efficiency and for allowing public bodies to trade their spectrum holdings, although this support was qualified in some important respects, in particular in relation to national security, public safety and compliance with international obligations. We plan to consult later in the year on regulations to enable public bodies to trade spectrum and, in doing so, will take full account of the caveats that were expressed. We will proceed with the further consultation once the Government, which has stated that national security and public safety will remain paramount, has defined the detailed arrangements for public bodies to hold, manage and release spectrum.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD), which holds about a third of the spectrum below 15 GHz, has said that it will consult by May 2008 on its plans to release a significant proportion of its spectrum holdings.