\tLIVE FROM 5G WORLD, LONDON: Ofcom’s CTO detailed the watchdog\u2019s efforts to improve connectivity for rural and industrial users, including innovative approaches to ensuring spectrum availability.<\/p>\n
Mansoor Hanif (pictured) noted MNOs are already doing a good job of providing coverage in more populated parts of the UK. However, more intervention is needed in rural areas, where generating returns on infrastructure investments is more challenging.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a lot of people living in rural areas, there are a lot of businesses in rural areas, it\u2019s a key part of the economy and industry in the UK. So we need to support and make sure they are not left behind, and so a lot of what we do is making sure the investment goes there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ofcom is consulting on terms for future auctions and could offer licences at lower cost in return for rural access commitments: \u201cWe think it\u2019s a fair incentive and a fair use of public money.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another possibility is encouraging community engagement in networks: pointing to the roughly 300 community radio stations, 1,000 fixed wireless networks and local broadband networks, Hanif asked “why can\u2019t they, if they get access to spectrum, manage a 4G or 5G network?\u201d<\/p>\n
Industry
\nOfcom plans to make available spectrum enabling \u201clocal and on demand\u201d networks, a plan which is is \u201creally innovative…really revolutionary” and will “put the UK in a wonderful position on the global stage\u201d.<\/p>\n
Local licences covering a range of around 50 metres would be available on demand in blocks of 10MHz, Hanif explained.<\/p>\n
“We think we\u2019ve got the database to be able to manage that demand, the average cost will be what it costs us to do the licence administration, so I think it\u2019s on average about \u00a370.” Applicants could request several blocks, depending on their specific needs.<\/p>\n
Among the frequencies available is \u201cprime spectrum\u201d, including 390MHz in the 3.8GHz to 4.2GHz band, along with high band blocks suited to delivering high capacity and throughput in smaller areas.<\/p>\n
With access to suitable spectrum, the Ofcom CTO suggested enterprises could build their own networks, work with third-party specialists, or partner with mobile network operators to ensure they have the coverage and capacity needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we are talking about 5G, we are talking about the operators all the time. But it\u2019s not all about the operators \u2013 5G is for everyone, and it\u2019s an opportunity for everyone. And in particular we\u2019d like to encourage new entrants,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LIVE FROM 5G WORLD, LONDON: Ofcom’s CTO detailed the watchdog’s efforts to improve connectivity for …<\/p>\n
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