June 6, 2017

Ofcom has published a statement following its strategic review of the 410 – 470 MHz spectrum band (UHF Band 1 and Band 2).

Users of this band include business radio, the emergency services and utilities, amongst others. Ofcom says that with potential new users also wanting to make use of these frequencies, demand is increasing.

The statement sets out Ofcom’s spectrum management strategy to address the future needs of current and new users in UHF Band 1 and Band 2.

Ofcom’s decisions include a number of changes to the Business Radio technical frequency assignment criteria, and the addition of new UHF channels to the Business Radio Simple UK and Simple Site licences. Ofcom says that these changes are designed to create a framework for managing this spectrum for the next ten years.

The statement also confirms Ofcom’s decision to maintain the existing band configuration for UHF 2 and not to seek to align it with the configuration used in continental Europe. To read Ofcom’s statement, click here.