Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04/12/more_unlicensed_spectrum/
Ofcom consults on unlicensed radio
Free spectrum for all
Posted in Networks, 12th April 2007 14:48 GMT
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UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom has published a consultation document which suggests expanding the use of unlicensed spectrum in frequencies over 40GHz, and for low-power technologies including ultra-wideband, and is looking for feedback before 21 June.
The UK already has the most unregulated radio market in Europe, and some claim that it's getting too unregulated [1]. Ofcom, however, has always felt uncomfortable saying what people should use spectrum for and tried to reduce the regulatory burden wherever possible.
The proposal includes removing all license requirements from 59-64 GHz and 102-105 GHz bands, as well as devices operating within the UWB standard.
Really high frequencies are unlikely to get congested for a while at least thanks to their short range and poor propagation, while the very-low-power technologies such as UWB offer equally short range and are unlikely to interfere with anything other than each other.
In addition to the proposal itself, Ofcom has published [2] an executive summary and plain-English explanation (perhaps more suitable for executives) of the proposals, as well as a guide for those wanting to comment before the 21 June deadline. ®