Ofcom Consult on Using Satellites and Aircraft to Deliver UK Mobile
The UK communications and media regulator, Ofcom, has today begun seeking feedback on the potential and demand for satellites, aircraft and other airborne platforms to help improve mobile (4G and 5G) network coverage – also known as Direct to Device (D2D) and Mobile-Satellite Services (MSS).
The timing of this ‘Call for Input‘ is rather handy as it comes on the same day as we wrote a related piece about the new service being developed by Stratospheric Platforms (here), which could in the future deliver a 5G broadband service via an unmanned aircraft.
Not to mention the satellite broadband based services being developed by Starlink (Direct to Cell), OneWeb (Eutelsat), AST SpaceMobile and others that can directly connect to unmodified consumer Smartphones via regular mobile spectrum bands. In fact some phones, like the latest iPhone series from Apple, already have a very basic emergency communication system that can work via satellite.
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Services like this have the potential to improve connectivity in the UK by extending mobile coverage and providing a degree of back-up connectivity when there are outages on the terrestrial networks. In addition, MSS solutions have enabled the development of the European Aviation Network (EAN), a variety of emergency services, and provide connectivity for location trackers and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
However, all of this could create new demands on radio spectrum, which is a limited resource and thus Ofcom are now considering whether to develop new specific authorisation proposals for this type of spectrum access.
Ofcom’s Statement
In this document we are seeking stakeholder views on the potential supply of, and demand for, direct to device services (D2D) and MSS in the UK, and the associated spectrum needs. We also set out our initial thinking on the implications for how we manage spectrum that these services might use.
We are seeking views from stakeholders on:
• The interest in offering D2D services in the UK, delivered by satellites or airborne platforms;
• The potential demand for spectrum to support D2D services;
• The potential for new technology developments to improve spectrum sharing between D2D services and spectrum sharing between D2D services and existing spectrum users; and
• Potential demand changes for Mobile-satellite service (MSS) spectrum for existing, or developing, mobile satellite services (such as the European Aviation Network and IoT applications).
• The role that High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) might play in delivering D2D type mobile services.
The call for input closes on 13th September 2024 and Ofcom then plans a further publication on their next steps in Q4 2024.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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I have concerns with all this stuff being launched into space, earth’s orbit is being cluttered not to mention the massive carbon impact of each launch vehicle. There must be more sustainable ways of achieving connectivity.
It seems to be a bit overkill to have all this stuff for the UK as we’re a small island in the grand scheme of things. However, our small size means we have to be careful when it comes to transmission power outputs bleeding into neighbouring countries airspace. Other geographically larger countries can crank up the power of their transmitters without worry of interfering with the services of neighbouring countries.