Ofcom consults on License Exempt spectrum in the 2.4GHz band

The 2.4GHz band (2400MHz through 2483.5MHz) is used by license exempt devices as it's an international ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) harmonised band. Common uses for this band in the UK are WiFi and Bluetooth devices.

The Government is hoping to free 500MHz of spectrum by 2020, mainly by re-allocating spectrum currently held by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The first part of freed up spectrum is in the 2300MHz band (2350MHz to 2390 MHz) which should be released in 2014.

Though Ofcom will issue a technology neutral license, it's expected that the spectrum will be acquired for Long Term Evolution (LTE) services.

Ofcom is requesting that stakeholders in the 2.4GHz band let Ofcom know how releasing the 2300MHz band might affect them.

The statement is on-line here and stakeholders may respond using an on-line form.

The consultation closes at 5pm on the 19th June 2013.