Posted: 10th Dec, 2010 By: MarkJ

Ofcom has announced that the
2.6GHz (radio spectrum 2500-2690MHz) can officially be used for wireless camera applications during the
2012 London Olympic Games (27th July - 9th September 2012). The move will prevent 2.6GHz being used by a new generation of WiMAX or LTE Mobile Broadband technologies, at least while the games are on.
The regulators decision follows a four week long consultation on the matter, which began at the end of August 2010 (
here). Ofcom's study found no evidence that reserving the 2.6GHz band for the London 2012 Games would result in any material opportunity cost or harm to consumers.
Ofcom Statement
In the absence of evidence that there is any material opportunity cost of reserving the 2.6 GHz band for the London 2012 Games, or of harm to consumers, we will proceed with the reservation of the whole 2500-2690 MHz band for wireless cameras between 28 June and 23 September 2012.
It may be possible to grant licences for non-operational trials and tests of new mobile or broadband data services in the 2.6 GHz band if these are carefully co-ordinated. The provision of London 2012 Games services will take precedence over other uses of the spectrum during the Games, but we will endeavour to coordinate other uses (where possible) in order to facilitate the development of new services to citizens and consumers.
Our reservation of the 2.6 GHz band for the London 2012 Games does not require us to revoke or vary existing spectrum licences to meet Games requirements.
In addition, Ofcom's own spectrum release and auction timetable (
here) shows that the process of releasing "
super-fast" (100Mbps+) LTE friendly next generation (4G) Mobile Broadband spectrum (
800MHz and
2.6GHz) would not complete until "
the end of 2013" anyway.
It is possible that some operators will want to trial LTE solutions in London before the end of 2013, although as Ofcom says above, licences for non-operational trials could still be granted.