Ofcom updates consultation on 5G spectrum above 6 GHz

UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has published an update to its consultation on 5G, specifically the use of spectrum above 6 GHz to satisfy the anticipated bandwidth requirements that will prove too great for standard licensed spectrum.

Scott Bicheno

April 20, 2015

1 Min Read
Ofcom updates consultation on 5G spectrum above 6 GHz
Ofcom ranked O2 highest for customer satisfaction

UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has published an update to its consultation on 5G, specifically the use of spectrum above 6 GHz to satisfy the anticipated bandwidth requirements that will prove too great for standard licensed spectrum.

Outlining the key questions addressed by the Call For Input (CFI), the document acknowledged the propagation challenges associated with higher frequencies but stressed there are technical solutions.

In this context the document subdivided these higher frequencies by noting that the propagation properties of all bands in the 10-100 GHz range have more or less equal characteristics. It was also noted that millimetre wave spectrum is good for backhaul.

As you might expect the document is pretty exhaustive and if you’re looking for a spot of holiday reading you can download it here. For those who lack the time/inclination/stamina the table below summarises the key blocks of spectrum identified by the CFI.

We are still very early in the 5G process, of course, but as the Ofcom document notes under ‘next steps’: “The information and analysis gathered from the Call for Input, related work and international developments will now inform our contribution to forthcoming international discussions. We will also undertake further analysis of potential bands, drawing on feedback from these international discussions.”

Ofcom-5G-spectrum-table-300x80.jpg

About the Author

Scott Bicheno

As the Editorial Director of Telecoms.com, Scott oversees all editorial activity on the site and also manages the Telecoms.com Intelligence arm, which focuses on analysis and bespoke content.
Scott has been covering the mobile phone and broader technology industries for over ten years. Prior to Telecoms.com Scott was the primary smartphone specialist at industry analyst Strategy Analytics’. Before that Scott was a technology journalist, covering the PC and telecoms sectors from a business perspective.
Follow him @scottbicheno

Get the latest news straight to your inbox.
Register for the Telecoms.com newsletter here.

You May Also Like