British telecom regulator Ofcom has come out with a consultation on the usage of spectrum for the growing Internet of Things (IoT) industry.
The strategy of Ofcom is to encourage investment and innovation in IoT or M2M by using 10 MHz of existing spectrum for new applications.
Telecom industry stakeholders say that 5G will boost IoT business. The number of devices connected via the IoT in the UK is forecast to grow more than eight-fold by 2022 from more than 40 million.
The consultation on IoT closes on 12 November 2015.
Ofcom in a statmenet said its aim is to encourage M2M applications to use spectrum that will enable them to connect wirelessly over longer distances. This VHF spectrum has different properties to other frequencies, already in use for the IoT, and can reach distant locations which other frequencies may not.
Ofcom believes access to spectrum in this range could open new opportunities and bring benefits to citizens and consumers, especially those in remote and rural parts of the UK. The frequencies being made available span the 55-68 MHz, 70.5-71.5 MHz and 80.5-81.5 MHz bands.
The telecom regulator is seeking views on whether any changes to the existing license products are necessary to promote innovative uses in these bands, especially for serving rural locations.
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