UK Broadband Ltd Secure Indefinite Licence Extension for 4G at 3.4GHz

UK Broadband Ltd (PCCW), which is the parent of London-based wireless broadband ISP Relish, has officially been granted an indefinite extension to its spectrum licence for use of 40MHz in the 3.4GHz band that is being used to help deliver 4G (LTE) based fixed wireless and mobile broadband services.

The operators existing licence for this spectrum was originally due to expire in July 2018 and the telecoms regulator, Ofcom, had already indicated in June 2014 that they were mindful to apply an indefinite extension; especially in light of Relish’s launch.

Ofcoms Statement

Ofcom believes that extending the licence will promote competition and encourage investment and innovation. Among the potential benefits, we expect UK Broadband’s investment to deliver faster broadband speeds to customers and at lower prices, in under-served urban areas.

The licence authorises use of two 20MHz blocks of spectrum in the frequency ranges 3480 – 3500MHz and 3580 – 3600MHz, although UKB will now be required to pay an annual fee for its continued use (effective from July 2018). The fee itself has yet to be determined and will in part be influenced by the outcome of the regulators future auctions.

Ofcom’s plan for a future auction of the other 150MHz of spare spectrum in the 3.4GHz band means that alternative operators will still have an opportunity to obtain related spectrum.

The full ruling can be read here.