U.K. regulator Ofcom published several documents on Friday outlining preliminary plans to make more radio spectrum available for satellite broadband use. ISPreview reported that Ofcom’s plans include releasing part of the 28 GHz band, proposing to make spectrum in the Q, V, and E bands available, and proposing to grant Kepler Communications an earth station license. In the U.K., satellite connectivity is used in rural areas, on trains, in the air, and at sea.
ISPreview reported that the published documents outline the following for each initiative, and input/responses are encouraged:
- 28 GHz band—Ofcom confirmed its commitment to making 560 MHz of spectrum available for use by Earth station gateways. Input is being accepted until May 31, and the regulator plans to publish its decision by the end of the year.
- Q, V, and E bands—Around 20 GHz of spectrum could be made available to future satellite gateways in these bands. The regulator is seeking input by June 14 and expects to announce the next steps later in 2024.
- Kepler’s Application for NGSO License—Ofcom is entertaining Canada’s Kepler Communications’ application for a non-geostationary orbiting satellite (NGSO) network license. Kepler already has 15 Nano Satellites in orbit and anticipates launching 140 more. Ofcom is accepting comments on Kepler’s application through April 29.
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