Ofcom to Make Q and V Bands Available for UK Satellite Broadband Gateways

The UK telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has today unveiled their proposals for allowing broadband satellite operators (e.g. Starlink and Amazon) to harness the Q and V radio spectrum bands (37.5–43.5GHz, 47.2–50.2GHz and 50.4–52.4GHz) to help boost the backhaul data capacity of their ground-based gateway sites. This will also support the deployment of future satellites.

Satellite operators SpaceX (Starlink) and Amazon (Project Kuiper) are currently known to be preparing to harness the Q/V band(s) to support their broadband services. On top of that, the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA) has also confirmed that “many of its members” had either started or were intending to use the Q/V band for feeder links for future generations of their gateways.

Suffice to say that there’s plenty of demand for these bands and so Ofcom has proposed to make the spectrum available to both traditional geostationary orbit (GSO) satellites and also those in non-geostationary orbits (NGSO), such as Starlink etc. Faster broadband speeds should be one of the results.

Ofcom’s Proposal

This document sets out our proposal to make spectrum available for GSO and NGSO satellite gateways in Q/V band. We are proposing to extend access for satellite gateway use into these bands under our “Satellite (Permanent Earth Station)” licence (for GSO gateways) and “Satellite (non-geostationary earth station)” licence (for NGSO gateways).

We propose to make available the following frequencies for use by satellite gateways operating with GSO satellites and NGSO constellations:

• GSO: uplink 47.2 – 50.2 GHz, 50.4 – 52.4 GHz; downlink 37.5 – 42.5 GHz
• NGSO: uplink 47.2 – 50.2 GHz, 50.4 – 51.4 GHz2; downlink 37.5 – 42.5 GHz

We are proposing to allow gateway deployments in ‘low density areas,’ which comprise nearly all of the UK landmass outside of the 68 major towns and cities identified as ‘high density areas’ for the upcoming 40 GHz award.

We are proposing technical conditions to protect other authorised spectrum users.

Ofcom now intends to consult on this proposal until 30th September 2025 and will then aim to published their decision “by the end of 2025 or early 2026“. At the same time, the regulator is still considering responses received to their recent consultation (here) on proposals to grant temporary licences to Starlink for the use of E band (71–76GHz and 81–86GHz) spectrum for NGSO gateways at three sites (final decision due by Q2 2025/6).