Ofcom plans to align frequencies

Ofcom has announced proposals to align more of the spectrum released as part of the UK’s digital dividend with other European countries.
According to Ofcom, this will allow new wireless services, particularly mobile broadband, to be launched in the UK and across Europe.
The decision to release a digital dividend was taken by the Government in 2003, and involved a plan to release two distinct bands of spectrum, one of which comprised 48 MHz between 806-854 MHz.

A number of other European countries will now release a digital dividend, but within a slightly wider block of spectrum than the UK’s, at 790-862 MHz (the so-called 800 MHz band).
Ofcom’s recent consultation considers whether the UK should align more of the spectrum it is releasing with the digital dividend in other countries, so that the whole 800 MHz band becomes available for new uses.
Ofcom’s analysis shows that there would be large benefits to citizens and consumers which would include: lower equipment prices for consumers, improved opportunities for new generations of mobile broadband and more scope for competition and innovation in new wireless services.

These proposals would mean some changes to the spectrum used by digital terrestrial television (DTT) services resulting in a limited number of users having to retune their set-top boxes.
Ofcom expects to publish a statement on this issue in summer 2009 with a view to holding the auction for the UK’s digital dividend in 2010.