Ofcom has outlined further details of its plans to enable the UK industry to use a large amount of spectrum in the 26GHz and 40GHz bands, which it refers to as mmWave spectrum, for new services, including 5G. With the regulator having initially set out its strategy for allocating mmWave spectrum back in March 2023, it has now outlined its decisions on the licence conditions which it will use in authorising this spectrum. Ofcom notes that it intends to publish a separate document setting out our decisions and further proposals for the design of the auction of citywide licences authorising use of this spectrum later this year.
In terms of specifics, Ofcom has said that it will auction Spectrum Access licences to use both 26GHz and 40GHz spectrum in the UK’s major towns and cities, where it expects the highest volume of mmWave deployment (‘high density areas’). It noted, however, that this auction will not be conducted until after a decision is forthcoming from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on the proposed merger of Three UK and Vodafone UK. Meanwhile, with spectrum in ‘low density areas’ to be offered via the assignment of local licences on a first come, first served basis, using Ofcom’s Shared Access licensing framework, it has suggested such licences for the 26GHz band will be made available ‘early next year’.
Source: https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2023/09/28/ofcom-details-licensing-plans-for-mmwave-spectrum/