Ofcom Speeds Up UK Wi-Fi Networks by Adding 5.8GHz Spectrum Band

The United Kingdom’s telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has today made an additional 125MHz of radio spectrum available to WiFi networks (Wireless Local Area Networks – WLAN) by introducing support for the 5.8GHz (5725 – 5850MHz) radio spectrum sub-band to deliver faster speeds.

Most WiFi networks already make use of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, although some counties (e.g. the USA) are also able to harness a bit more spectrum via the 5.8GHz band. Ofcom wanted to do the same by increasing the number of 80MHz channels available from 4 to 6, which is partly because 5.8GHz is now considered to have “the potential to become harmonised worldwide” for WiFi.

Ofcom has been consulting on the changes for the past 13-14 months (here and here) and they’ve today reported that “the majority of respondents from the Wi-Fi sector supported and welcomed our proposals to open up the 5.8 GHz band.”

The changes include a power limitation to 200mW per channel (cautious but necessary to limit interference) and a ban on fixed outdoor use (i.e. 5.8GHz will benefit indoor networks, such as your home WiFi). Some Fixed Wireless Broadband (BFWA) ISPs also use the same band, although Ofcom believes that the limits should make interference between WiFi and BFWA networks “unlikely“.

Ofcom’s Decision

We have carefully reviewed and considered the comments from all respondents. For the reasons set out above, we did not consider it necessary to revisit our decision to make the 5.8 GHz band available for Wi-Fi or to make changes to the proposed technical parameters at this time.

As noted in our March Statement, our aim was to authorise Wi-Fi use of the 5.8 GHz band on the basis of technical conditions which were the least restrictive, but also appropriately cautious in relation to interference to other services, based on studies to date. For the reasons set out in this section, we continue to consider that the proposed technical parameters strike an appropriate balance of maximising benefits to consumers of Wi-Fi services while avoiding negative impacts on other users.

Having carefully considered the views of respondents to the published Notice, we also consider that, in accordance with section 8(3B) of the WTA, the Regulations as drafted are objectively justifiable, not unduly discriminatory, proportionate and transparent.

We have therefore decided to proceed to make the Regulations as drafted in the Notice, with no amendments to the proposed technical conditions. We present the scope of the regulations in the following section.

It’s worth pointing out that most of the respondents to Ofcom’s final consultation also encouraged the regulator to actively work towards the medium and long-term goals of enabling Wi-Fi access to the 5850-5925MHz band and, additionally, 5925-6425MHz. We may learn more about this in the future.

Otherwise the new regulations will officially come into force by 7th August 2017, although in many cases consumers will need to wait for new hardware to be produced before they can take advantage. However it’s possible that some kit may be able to benefit with a simple firmware update, depending upon the chipset.