Range of measures could boost UK mobile capacity by more than 25 times by 2030
UK regulator, Ofcom, is consulting on a blueprint for meeting the growing demands that will be placed on the UK's wireless communications infrastructure over the next two decades. A number of new spectrum bands have been identified as potential candidates for future mobile broadband use, which would bring benefits to consumers and businesses. When combined with developments in mobile technology, such as 5G, and the introduction of more advanced mobile networks, Ofcom estimates that this new spectrum could boost mobile data capacity by more than 25 times between now and 2030. The spectrum Ofcom has identified represents approximately seven times the amount of spectrum released as part of the 4G auction. Ofcom is already working to increase the amount of spectrum available for mobile data in a number of areas. In the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz bands, Ofcom is working closely with the Ministry of Defence to move this spectrum from the public sector into commercial use. This spectrum is suitable for mobile broadband and could be released through an auction in 2015 to 2016. The public sector has access to just over half of the UK spectrum, and Ofcom is working with Government to identify ways of increasing opportunities for commercial access in the future. In the 700 MHz band, while no decisions have yet been made, Ofcom is investigating the potential to rearrange the bands used for digital terrestrial TV. This could release more of this prime spectrum for mobile broadband use sometime after 2018, while ensuring that consumers would continue to have the opportunity to benefit from digital terrestrial TV. And in 'white spaces', over the next six months, around 20 organisations will be participating in an Ofcom pilot to road test white space technology. A variety of innovative applications will be tested, ranging from sensors that monitor the behaviour of cities, to dynamic information for road users and rural broadband in hard to reach places. These new services will utilise the gaps, or white spaces, that sit in the frequency band used to broadcast digital terrestrial TV. In addition to these immediate priorities, Ofcom has identified a number of spectrum bands that might be suitable for use for mobile data in the longer term. For example, the UK Government is currently assessing the possibility of reorganising the 2.7 GHz4 radar band to potentially release up to 100 MHz of spectrum for other uses, which could include mobile broadband. Additional spectrum in the 3.6 GHz band, which is currently used for satellites links, is another potential candidate. Mobile services should be able to share this band by co-ordinating with existing satellite users. Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive, said: 'The demands for mobile data will only increase as millions more wireless devices connect to the internet and each other. We're looking at ways to use spectrum more efficiently and consider future releases of prime spectrum. By doing so, we can help to meet the significant demands placed on our wireless infrastructure and develop one of the world's leading digital economies.'
