Great Britain Confirms Plans for Largest Spectrum Offering to Date

British telecom regulator Ofcom has confirmed plans for the country’s largest spectrum offering to date. Ofcom will release the spectrum in the 2010- to 2025-MHz and 2500- to 2690-MHz frequency bands (commonly termed the 2.6 GHz band) on a technology and service neutral basis. Would-be bidders can decide the best use for the spectrum within minimum technical specifications to avoid harmful interference. In total, 205 MHz of spectrum will be made available, and Ofcom projects that the auction will commence this coming summer. The portions of the spectrum being made available are suitable for offering high-speed, high-capacity mobile data connections for the delivery of advanced mobile services such as WiMax or further evolutions of 3G technology. Find the official announcement at the Ofcom website.The 700-MHz auction is history, and the big telecoms are buying up any available spectrum. What will finite supply of spectrum have on the future of wireless? Post your views at the Telecommunications Community Forum.