Consultation on a Direction to Ofcom to Implement the Wireless Radio Spectrum Modernisation Programme

Background to consultation

The Government set out its objectives for mobile broadband in its Digital Britain report. An Independent Spectrum Broker was appointed and he has presented a set of proposals to enable the release of additional spectrum into the UK market. The Government sees the Independent Spectrum Broker’s proposals as a sound platform for further consultation and intends to Direct Ofcom to implement them.

Purpose of consultation

The Government has the power to Direct Ofcom, subject to approval from Parliament, but is required to consult on any Direction by statute. This consultation document therefore seeks views on the proposed Direction to Ofcom.

Following a query from a respondent, whilst we are not aware that others are in any doubt, we confirm that responses on all the proposals in the consultation document are welcome and will be taken into account when the Secretary of State considers his decision on the contents of a direction to Ofcom.

Supplement to consultation

This document (PDF, 71KB) is supplementary to the consultation document, published by the Department on 16 October 2009.

The Consultation Document set out various directions which the Secretary of State proposes to give to Ofcom in accordance with his power to give directions under section 5 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. The directions proposed were set out at Annex G to that Consultation Document.

Since that consultation was commenced, one organisation that has received the Consultation Document has raised two matters concerning the contents of that document. So that the position is beyond any doubt, this Supplementary Document deals with each of them.

Please note that the Secretary of State has now extended the time within which all responses to this consultation exercise need to be received. The deadline for responses is now 5pm on Friday 5 February 2010.

Questions or comments

If you want to discuss policy issues raised in the consultation, please contact Mark Swarbrick either by email or on 020 7215 2900.

Download the consultation

• Digital Britain report- a consultation on a direction to Ofcom to implement the wireless radio spectrum modernisation programme (PDF, 751 Kb) 
• Supp Doc-Digital Britain report- a consultation on a direction to Ofcom to implement the wireless radio spectrum modernisation programme (PDF, 70 Kb) 

Download the government response

• Government response to the consultation on a direction to Ofcom to implement the wireless radio spectrum modernisation programme (PDF, 416 Kb) 
• Collection of industry responses to the BIS consultation on a direction to Ofcom to implement the Wireless Radio Spectrum Modernisation Programme (ZIP, 13.9 Mb)