The U.K.’s version of the FCC, Ofcom, has said that it will make millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum across the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands available for new mobile technology, including 5G services.
“This could deliver significant benefits by enabling large wireless data capacity and speeds. It can be used to improve mobile services and deliver innovative new services across the U.K.,” the agency said. “It will be particularly beneficial in locations and venues with a lot of mobile users, such as train stations, football stadiums and concerts, where demands on current networks mean mobile data speeds can be sluggish.”
The move comes six years after the FCC voted to make available spectrum above 24 GHz for 5G in its Spectrum Frontiers proceeding, which made an additional 1,700 MHz of mmWave spectrum for terrestrial 5G wireless use.
“We expect that new uses of mmWave spectrum will be mostly concentrated in areas with high levels of data traffic such as towns and cities,” Ofcom wrote. Citywide licenses to use mmWave spectrum will be assigned by auction, and more localized licenses will be available on a first come, first served basis, using Ofcom’s Shared Access licensing framework.
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