British telecoms regulator Ofcom is seeking input to inform its forthcoming review of the Shared Access Licence (SAL) framework, saying it will ‘consider changes to support users’ experiences in these bands’. In a press release regarding the matter, Ofcom said that its objective in establishing the SAL framework back in 2019 was to ‘make spectrum available for a diversity of new users who were calling for access to spectrum which could support mobile technology’. In creating the outline, meanwhile, the watchdog had noted that as use of spectrum bands developed over time, it might need to review its initial proposals in light of this user interest and experience.
In that vein, the regulator says it considers it is now approaching the point where such a review is necessary, noting that with more than 1,600 licences have been issued across four bands (1781.7MHz-1785MHz paired with 1876.7MHz-1880MHz; 2390MHz-2400 MHz; 3.8GHz-4.2GHz; and the lower 26GHz indoors). As such, it is now seeking to ‘explore what has been learned from these deployments and consider if and where improvements could be made to support our original policy intention’.
Having set a closing date of 16 May 2023 for response, Ofcom has said the consultation ‘represents the beginning of a renewed dialogue with SAL spectrum users that will help inform our thinking as we move towards a review of the framework’.
Separately, Ofcom has issued a statement setting out its decision on the level of annual licence fees for 10GHz, 28GHz and 32GHz spectrum, confirming that, following a consultation on its proposals, it has decided to set: a national annual licence fee of GBP5,676 (USD6,994) per 2×1MHz for 10GHz spectrum; a national annual licence fee of GBP3,432 per 2×1MHz for 32GHz spectrum; set regional and location-specific annual licence fees for 28GHz spectrum based on a national rate of GBP3,432 per 2×1MHz of spectrum.
Further, Ofcom’s decision paper also confirmed that: the proposed annual licence fees will apply from 17 April 2023, with an option to pay across ten equal monthly instalments. Further, the regulator will align the regional annual licence fees for 28GHz licences awarded in 2000 with the regional annual licence fees it has decided to set for 28GHz licences awarded in 2008 with effect from 5 January 2024). Finally, Ofcom has confirmed it will make new regulations that will amend the ‘Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) Regulations 2020’ to implement the aforementioned policy decisions.