Ofcom to Share 8GHz and 26GHz Spectrum for Wireless Data and 5G

Ofcom has confirmed that they’re “planning” to make more spectrum available for “shared use” with existing services in the 8GHz and 26GHz radio spectrum bands, which is primarily intended to focus upon supporting high capacity fixed wireless broadband links and indoor 5G applications. The 1.4GHz band is also being freed.

A lot of the spectrum was formally allocated to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) but its now being freed for other purposes. For example, 168MHz of frequency between 7.9GHz and 8.4GHz (8GHz band) could soon be made available for shared use. “We believe this will be attractive to meet demand for fixed wireless links to support a range of services, including: broadcast infrastructure; backhaul for fixed and mobile networks and low-latency infrastructure for specialist applications,” said Ofcom today.

On top of that 2.25GHz of frequency between 24.25GHz to 26.5GHz (26GHz band) is also planned to be made available for sharing. “We are planning for this spectrum to support 5G indoor applications, sharing access with the existing fixed-wireless services and satellite earth stations that operate in the band,” added the regulator.

The higher frequencies around 26GHz (e.g. millimetre Wave) have long been touted as being useful for supporting 5G style “very large bandwidths, providing ultra-high capacity and very low latency“, although their limited range may confine them to fixed wireless networks. However Ofcom’s notice only makes mention of “5G indoor applications” and we’re curious to know how they’d see that working (it’s a tricky band for indoor use due to being easily disrupted and very limited reach).

Ofcom said they will aim to make the 8GHz band available “as quickly as possible” (further details are due very soon), while a separate statement is expected to cover their plans for the release of the 26GHz spectrum sometime this summer.

Separately the regulator have progressed with their plan to make the 1492-1517MHz (1.4GHz) band available for future wireless broadband services (further details). “We have written to existing licensees to notify them of our proposal to clear the band by 31st December 2022. Licensees have until 17th June 2019 to respond to Ofcom’s notice should they wish to do so,” said Ofcom.