Posted: 08th Nov, 2006 By: MarkJ
Ofcom has today increased the available spectrum for fixed broadband wireless services. The regulator has published provisions for opening the 71-76GHz and 81-86GHz bands to licensed use:
At present these spectrum bands are not in commercial use. However, technological developments offers the possibility of new applications for these higher frequency bands.
These applications could include very high capacity, point to point wireless networks, which could potentially be used as alternatives to fibre optic cable. Possible data speeds range from 1Gb per second to 10Gb per second over distances of 1-2 km. In comparison, copper loops typically enable connection speeds of between 1 and 24 Mbps.
The bands will be made available from spring 2007 and come licensed rather than auctioned. Ofcom does not expect demand for the spectrum to exceed supply.