Mergers scuttle strategy as Ofcom reneges on spectrum promise

Spectrum imbalance

This might prove to be optimistic. However, that’s not the reason stated for holding back 60MHz of the spectrum. Ofcom isn’t sitting on it waiting for the value to go up.

The response to the consultation explains that with the change of ownership of two big companies there is likely to be an imbalance in spectrum ownership and the held-back 60MHz might help to go some way to redressing this.

Sensibly, Ofcom realises that what it has is too high in frequency and there isn’t enough of it to do the whole job but it might help. The 700MHz spectrum which currently belongs to Freeview will be more useful for addressing an imbalance but that’s not scheduled for sale until 2022.

The document notes that hanging on all 190MHz and having it hanging around for two years doing nothing while the networks sorted themselves out wasn’t the best thing for an organisation which is charged with making the best possible use of available spectrum.

Although it did note that UK Broadband aside there is precious little kit which supports the 3.4GHz frequencies. The two parcels are expected to go under the hammer, within the originally slated timescale of early 2016.

They have become available as a result of part of the 500MHz of spectrum the MOD is relinquishing. Given that the armed forces will have been using it (principally the 3.4GHz for positioning radar) the licences will include terms to avoid interference on adjacent bands being used at Portsmouth Naval Base, Cowes and Devonport Naval Bases, and in particular at Portsdown Technology Park which carries out research and development.

The frequencies are not used for long-range radar or targeting but Portsdown uses pretty much everything. Licencees would need to coordinate with the MOD around St Kilda, Aberporth, Oakhanger, Colerne and Menwith Hill.

The document is extremely detailed on both the technical aspects and the bidding process, showing that Ofcom is excellent at canvasing feedback, assimilating it and producing sensible re-working.

A significant change is the move from 5MHz to 10MHz blocks with an understanding of how more contiguous spectrum provides for efficiencies while relating this to the bidding process which might try to game the system.

The Reg contacted the UK networks and the GSMA for comment but all said that giving a detailed response to a highly political and technical 155-page document within our news deadlines wasn’t something they were prepared to do. One did say “it’s not an exciting band”.

One of the aspects of the auction of the 2.3GHz spectrum which has historically raised concern is interference with Wi-Fi. The advice given by Sky to cope with this was “moving affected equipment away from the source of interference, changing its orientation, or wiring a device directly to a router”.

So there you have it. If something is interfering with your Wi-Fi, stop using it. Although Sky did note the actions “were likely to reduce or eliminate interference, but may not find favour with consumers.”

You can read the document, which to be fair only suggests the dropping of 60MHz rather than mandating it here. ®