New Amendments to Mobile Spectrum Trading Regulations: What You Need to Know

In an effort to keep pace with the rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape, the UK's Office of Communications (OFCOM) has announced amendments to existing mobile spectrum trading regulations. Set to take effect on July 7, 2025, these changes are aimed at enhancing the efficiency and capacity of mobile networks.

What's Changing?

1. Introduction of a New Licence Class: A new licence class, known as "Spectrum Access High Density," has been added. This category is designed to cater to areas with high data demand, ensuring that networks can support increased traffic without compromising on speed or reliability.

2. Expansion of Usable Frequency Bands: The amendments introduce additional frequency bands for mobile spectrum trading. These include:

   • 25.1 GHz to 27.5 GHz
   • 40.5 GHz to 43.5 GHz

   These bands are expected to facilitate the deployment of advanced services and technologies, such as 5G, by providing more bandwidth for data transmission.

Regulatory Compliance and Impact

The changes stem from OFCOM's commitment to fostering a dynamic and flexible spectrum market, encouraging innovation, and meeting the growing data needs of consumers and businesses alike. Before finalizing these amendments, OFCOM engaged in a thorough consultation process, considering feedback from stakeholders to ensure the regulations align with industry needs and public interest.

A detailed regulatory impact assessment is available on OFCOM’s website, providing insights into the anticipated effects of these changes on the telecommunications sector.

Accessing the Full Details

For those seeking more in-depth information, the full legislative text can be accessed online. Additionally, stakeholders and interested parties can request hard copies of the impact assessment directly from OFCOM.

These amendments represent a significant step towards modernizing the UK's telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring it remains robust and competitive in the face of growing demand and technological advancements. As we approach the implementation date, businesses and consumers alike can look forward to improved network capabilities and services.