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2GHz
04/04/2008 Closure of 2.6 GHz band
Ofcom has today published details of its award for the 2.6GHz band and announced that PMSE access will cease on 31st August 2008.No short term use will be licensed after 31st August 2008 and any licences currently in force for ongoing use of the band will be revoked on 31st August 2008.
Since 1st January 2007, PMSE use of the band 2500 -2690MHz has been permitted on the basis of 3 months notice of closure.
03/10/2007 JFMG response: Award of available spectrum: 2500-2690MHz, 2010-2025MHz
On the 1st August 2007 Ofcom published a consultation to look at the auction design
for the award of 2500-2690 MHz and 2012-2025 MHz. In addition they also published
an ERA technology report on the effects of adjacent channel conditions on PMSE receivers.
This work repeated tests that JFMG had independently undertaken.
The consultation closed on 28 September 2007 and JFMG sent in a response with the
aim of highlighting again the potential for adjacent channel interference issues.
We also suggest ways of mitigating the risk of interference to wireless cameras.
Take a look at our response
for full details.
6/03/2007 Auction could squeeze wireless camera frequencies
In our response to Ofcom’s consultation we have highlighted the risk of increased interference to wireless cameras when new services move into the bands 2015-2025 MHz and 2200-2290 MHz.These bands are immediately adjacent to the two key spectrum allocations for digital wireless cameras which have already proved to be vulnerable to users in neighbouring bands.
The 2500 – 2690 MHz band is also up for auction and is currently used for wireless cameras. Programme makers are required to vacate the band in 2007 with 3 months notice.
12/12/2006 Auction of ex-PMSE Spectrum Announced
Ofcom has just published its programme to award “unused or under-used spectrum” at 2500 – 2690 MHz". In fact
the 2.5 GHz band has been the key resource supporting programme makers’ video links
and wireless cameras for more than 20 years and is still heavily used today. Programme
makers were given notice to quit the band in 2002 after a World Radio Conference
earmarked the spectrum for third generation (3G) cellular mobile.
Also on offer are the bands 2015 – 2025 MHz and 2290 – 2302 MHz which are immediately
adjacent to programme makers’ spectrum. The inappropriate take-up of which, could
jeopardise programme makers’ operations. In our response to the consultation, JFMG
will be re-iterating the findings of our recent wireless camera tests to illustrate
the serious risk of interference from new services.
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16/5/2006 The Race for Spectrum at 2.0 to 2.7GHz
Ofcom’s advisors presented their preliminary findings at today’s workshop on the award of 2010 - 2025MHz, 2290 - 2302MHz and 2500 - 2690MHz.Runners and Riders
Although programme making was represented in the various presentations as having a likely interest in all of the three available bands, this was not reflected in the list of attendees for the event. Only BBC and JFMG appeared to be sporting programme making colours with the bulk of the field predictably dominated by the cellular mobile industry including the existing 3G operators Three, Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile and 02. Also out in numbers, were the broadband wireless stable who are expected to have an interest in these bands.
Handicaps
In our contribution to the project, we have emphasised both technical and economic concerns about the award: - All three bands are adjacent to our existing allocations so the risk of interference from the deployment of new services needs to be carefully considered. Programme makers are already finding incompatibility with 3G cellular services on the band-edge at 2110 MHz. The award will potentially create similar problems at other band-edges such as 2025MHz, 2290MHz and 2500MHz. - The timing of the award disadvantages programme makers since there is currently no clarity on how they will access spectrum or on the costs they face beyond March 2007.
Walking the Course
The next phase of the project is to look in detail at the technical aspects of packaging the spectrum for award. This will include close examination of the perimeter fences to ensure that neighbouring property rights are protected. We have already identified various gaps in the fence that have been overlooked by the consultants and will continue to keep watch as this work progresses.
Race Card
Although scheduled for 2006/2007, Ofcom have indicated that the award of this spectrum is now unlikely to be made until 2007. Consequently, it has been agreed that existing programme making use in 2500 – 2690 MHz can continue into 2007 on a three-month rolling notice basis.
4/4/2006 First Steps in Auction of Wireless Camera and ENG Spectrum
Ofcom has taken its first steps towards the auction of spectrum which includes the
2500 - 2690 MHz band still preferred by programme makers for wireless cameras, Electronic
News Gathering (ENG) and other video links.
At the World Radio Conference in 2000, this band was designated as additional spectrum
to meet the expected expansion in demand for 3rd Generation (3G) mobile phones.
Programme makers have been under formal notice of eviction since 2002 with a hand-back
date of 31st December 2006. This has recently been extended (but only on a rolling
three-month basis) into 2007. For more details see page 2 of Spectrum Information
Sheet. With the arrival of Ofcom and its market methods, the band is no longer reserved
for 3G phones and will be released on a technology and application neutral basis.
This provides the opportunity for programme makers to re-acquire rights to use this
spectrum. Also to be auctioned are bands at 2015 - 2025 MHz and 2290 - 2302 MHz
which are immediately adjacent to programme makers' bands at 2025 - 2110 MHz and
2200 - 2290 MHz. All of these 2GHz bands are illustrated here. Consultants Mason
Communications and Analysys have been appointed to advise on technical issues including
spectrum arrangements, usage rights, licence terms, and the award process itself.
The full terms of reference for this work are available at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/spectrumawards/awardspending/award_2010/.