Ofcom Proposes Mobile Broadband Spectrum Trading Between Networks

Ofcom have today revealed that they are looking into new proposals that will enable UK mobile network operators to trade wireless network licenses in the 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2100MHz (radio frequency) spectrum bands.

What this essentially means is that mobile networks in the UK will be given the ability to trade spectrum with their rivals. Ofcom claim that this added flexibility will help the operators to respond quicker to the ever increasing demands on their networks.

“This is an important milestone in the modernisation of spectrum management in the UK. It comes in response to the fast pace of change and innovation taking place in the mobile communications sector, which is placing increased demands on spectrum. One important way of meeting this demand is making the acquisition of spectrum as flexible as possible.” – Ofcom’s CEO, Ed Richards

In essence, the more spectrum a network operator has, the more voice calls and mobile broadband traffic they can handle. The problem is that currently the level of demand and amount of spectrum held between operators varies greatly. Ofcom aims to change this by introducing spectrum trading, a December 2010 directive of the UK government, that will help to make more efficient use of the existing spectrum.

More information on the consultation can be found here.