Statement: Ofcom’s proposals to update the technical conditions of mobile licences in the 800 MHz band

Statement published 27 October 2021

Now that we have awarded the adjacent 700MHz band for mobile use, we think there are changes we could make to our Spectrum Access 800 MHz licences which would enable mobile network operators to improve their network coverage and increase capacity.

We are therefore proposing to:

• align the in-block transmit power limit with the recently awarded 700 MHz band. Our proposal is to increase the permitted base station transmit power from 61 dBm/(5 MHz) EIRP to 64 dBm/(5 MHz) EIRP. We are also proposing to change the way in which the power limit is referenced moving from per radio equipment to per antenna. As part of this change femtocells must implement power controls to minimise interference to adjacent channels. The use of these higher powers would be subject to the operator having in place a mitigation scheme to protect Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) viewers should interference arise;
• amend some out-of-band and out-of-block limits, to help  manufacturers make equipment that is capable to use both the 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands. This is to closer align the limits with the conditions set out in the Spectrum Access 700 MHz licences and with the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) mask for the 800 MHz band.