Ofcom to Boost UK Base Station Power for 1800MHz Based 3G and 4G Mobile

The communications regulator has today proposed to boost the maximum permissible “base station transmit power” in the 1800MHz radio spectrum band for 3G (UMTS) and 4G (LTE / WiMAX) based Mobile Broadband and voice services by +3dB, which could improve coverage and capacity.

It’s understood that Ofcom received requests from EE, Three UK, O2 (Telefónica UK) and Vodafone to implement the power increase under the related Public Wireless Network licence(s). Ofcom noted that the 3dB boost could improve coverage, capacity, the ability to penetrate deeper into buildings and provide “flexibility to coverage and traffic management, load balancing and efficient handovers between different network layers.”

Licences for use of the 1800 MHz band are held by:

• O2: 1805.1 to 1810.9 MHz
• Vodafone: 1810.9 to 1816.7 MHz
• Three UK: 1816.7 to 1831.7 MHz
• EE: 1831.7 to 1876.7 MHz

Outcome of the 3dB boost:

• 65 dBm per carrier for UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System); and
• 65 dBm per 5 MHz for LTE (Long Term Evolution) and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access).

Ofcom said, “We do not consider that allowing a higher maximum permitted base station transmit power will result in any detriment to competition or other spectrum use“. The regulator has now opened a consultation on the change, which is due to close on 30th May 2014.