UK govt clears 700mhz spectrum for 5G auction

The UK has cleared its 700 MHz band of airwaves to free up new capacity for a 5G spectrum auction next January, government officials said.

Almost 20 million television sets were retuned to lower frequencies over four years to provide space for mobile phone services on the 700mhz band, which had mainly been used for Freeview as well as professional radio microphones used in music studios, theatres and outdoor events.

The space will be sold to telecom firms hoping to offer expanded or new 5G mobile services in January 2021 in chunks of 80 MHz, the government said.

Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman said: “We have overseen a quiet revolution in the airwaves which will lead to better mobile coverage for rural communities and unlock new ways for 5G to boost business productivity and improve people’s lives.”

Industry regulator Ofcom in August said it planned to start the formal spectrum auction process in November, with a view to bidding starting in January 2021.