Ofcom reviews fixed wireless spectrum to boost 5G investment

British telecom regulator Ofcom has revealed its decisions and 5-year plan for fixed wireless spectrum as part of the strategy to boost 5G network investment in UK.
Ofcom said fixed wireless links use spectrum to connect two or more fixed locations, and support a number of different services. This includes providing backhaul for mobile networks, distributing TV signals from studios to transmitters and providing fixed wireless broadband services.

The five-year plan published follows Ofcom’s consultation in 2017, and sets out approach for the different spectrum bands used by fixed wireless links, Ofcom said.

“As part of this, we are taking immediate steps to enable use of the 57-66 GHz band for a range of use cases without the need for a licence,” Ofcom said.

Ofcom said the telecom regulator is also making licence exempt spectrum available in the 66 – 71 GHz band, which could be used for 5G services.

Ofcom also launched a separate consultation to implement the decisions for the full 57 – 71 GHz band today.