Spectrum, mobile & wireless update July 2017

Ofcom announced that later this year a new auction of 190MHz of spectrum will get underway, 40MHz of which is in the 2.3GHz band with the remainder in the 3.4GHz band. The 2.3GHz band is already supported by mobile devices so this spectrum could be utilised immediately to provide faster mobile broadband speeds.  The 3.4GHz band is expected to be central to the rollout of 5G mobile across Europe.

To safeguard future competition, caps will limit the amount of spectrum operators can win in the 2.3GHz band and overall limits will be placed on the spectrum an operator can win across the 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands in aggregate. Ofcom intends to commence the auction in September 2017. Three described Ofcom’s proposals as a “kick in the teeth for all consumers” in that they increase the dominance of the largest operators, thereby damaging competition. Also see coverage from ISP Review, BBC News, Out-Law and the Telegraph.

Other Ofcom developments this month:

• A new decision allowing Wi-Fi use in the 5.8GHz band and a new consultation on improving access to 5.8GHz spectrum for broadband fixed wireless access, which is often used to deliver broadband to consumers and businesses in difficult to reach areas.
• New consultations on 5G spectrum access at 26GHz and on improving consumer access to mobile services at 3.6GHz to 3.8GHz. The 26GHz band covers the 3.25GHz of spectrum between 24.25GHz and 27.5GHz and is being prioritised across Europe as the first high frequency band for 5G. Ofcom also intends to start working on making spectrum in the 66-71GHz band available. The 3.6GHz to 3.8GHz band has been identified by the UK and EU as the primary band for 5G.
• An update on moving Freeview to make more airwaves available for mobile – the “700MHz clearance”. The 700MHz band is currently used to broadcast Freeview (digital terrestrial TV); viewers will need to retune their TVs or set-top boxes when the band is repurposed for mobile services in their area. A very small minority – estimated to be up to 1% of households – may need to replace their rooftop aerial. The switchover will commence in parts of Scotland this year.
• A new decision enabling passengers to connect their mobile devices (with 2G, 3G and 4G technologies) to a system providing mobile communication on board ships, if certain standards and requirements are met, without the need for a wireless telegraphy licence.

Other spectrum, mobile and wireless developments this month:

• The Government announced that leading 5G research institutions at King’s College London and the Universities of Surrey and Bristol will be awarded £16 million to develop a 5G test network, with the aim of delivering a 5G end-to-end trial in early 2018.
• UK Government in Wales Minister Guto Bebb called for urgent progress to address rural Wales’ mobile ‘not spots’.
• Arqiva and Samsung launched the UK’s first 5G fixed wireless access trial in central London. The primary aim of the trial is to demonstrate the stability of the FWA service, and its potential as a fast-to-market and cost-effective alternative to fibre for connectivity to homes and businesses. Earlier in the month Arqiva announced the purchase  of an additional 28GHz spectrum licence covering Central and Greater London from Luminet.
• ISP Review reported that EE had demonstrated downloads of up to 765Mbit/s (110Mbps upload) at Wembley Stadium.
• NHS Digital announced that NHS Wi-Fi will be rolled out to all GP surgeries across England by 31st December 2017, with patients able to access the internet free of charge from waiting rooms.
• A new survey of NFU members found that 85% of farmers have an unreliable outdoor mobile phone signal, 82% have an unreliable indoor mobile phone signal and just 6% have access to superfast download speeds.
• RootMetrics published its latest assessment of mobile performance in the UK for the first half of 2017: no one provider dominated, with EE coming out best in England, Vodafone the overall winner in Northern Ireland and Three in Scotland and Wales. Also see coverage from BBC News, Cable and ISP Review.
• Telecom Italia announced 4.5G network speeds of up to 1Gbit/s, based on Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) technology.
• Australian operator Optus announced it will finalise the shutdown of its 2G network on 1st August 2017.
• Microsoft set out plan to improve broadband services in rural America using TV white space technology. See coverage from CCS Insight and BBC News.