Ofcom to open up radio spectrum

Ofcom has announced plans to free up radio spectrum currently used by the public sector.

Public bodies and the MoD in particular hold some of the most valuable and sought-after radio spectrum.

Ed Richards

Chief executive

Ofcom

In a move expected to bring new opportunities for the development of wireless services the communications regulator will allow organisations including the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to trade and share radio spectrum.

Ofcom suggests that this will free up the most in-demand radio spectrum for new wireless services which will benefit both consumers and UK citizens.

Mobile operators in particular are keen to access new spectrum with the growing use of multimedia applications on phones requiring more network space.

Ed Richards, chief executive of Ofcom, said: "Public bodies and the MoD in particular hold some of the most valuable and sought-after radio spectrum.

"By working with these organisations we are enabling them to trade and release this spectrum which will create new opportunities for the development of wireless services.

A study undertaken in 2005 revealed that the spectrum used solely by the public sector has a potential market value of between £3 billion and £20 billion.