OF  (Nov ) (Nov  OF

Spectrum Trading Consultation

This document seeks your comments on proposals to introduce Spectrum Trading and to allow Wireless Telegraphy Act licence conditions to be changed.

November 

Closing date for responses: Friday th February 

Spectrum Trading Consultation  This document seeks your comments on proposals to introduce Spectrum Trading and to allow Wireless Telegraphy Act licence conditions to be changed.

Contents

This document seeks your comments on proposals to introduce spectrum trading and to allow Wireless Telegraphy Act licence conditions to be changed.

. Executive Summary 

. Ofcom 

. Responses to this consultation document 

How to respond  Ofcom’s consultation standards 

. Background 

Need for spectrum trading and purpose of this consultation document  Benefits of trading  Consistency with broader spectrum management strategy  Spectrum trading and advances in technology  Statutory framework  Results of previous consultations  Further consultation and next steps 

. Introduction of Trading 

What this section covers  Approach to trading  Introduction of Spectrum Trading  Liberalising the use of spectrum  Phasing of introduction 

. Creation of tradable rights 

What this section covers  Current licensing approach  Definition of rights which may be traded  Transmission rights  Interference  Licence term  Licence termination  Non spectrum-related licence conditions   Spectrum Trading Consultation This document seeks your comments on proposals to introduce Spectrum Trading and to allow Wireless Telegraphy Act licence conditions to be changed.

. Market mechanisms 

What this section covers  Ofcom’s role in the market  Role of intermediaries  Availability of trading information  Trading processes  Primary assignments 

. Regulation of radio spectrum 

What this section covers  Change of use and reconfiguration of licences  Interference management  Investigations and dispute resolution  Ensuring effective competition  Spectrum pricing  Taxation of trades 

. Trading proposals by licence product 

What this section covers  Broadcasting  Programme-making and special events  Public wireless networks  Private business systems  Fixed terrestrial and satellite links  Maritime and aviation  Science and technology, and licence exempt spectrum  Emergency services and Ministry of Defence 

Annexes

A List of questions 

B Regulatory impact assessment 

C Definition of boundary conditions in ‘spectrum masks’ 

D Glossary  Spectrum Trading Consultation  This document seeks your comments on proposals to introduce Spectrum Trading and to allow Wireless Telegraphy Act licence conditions to be changed.

Section  Executive Summary

1.1 Ofcom is proposing to introduce spectrum trading. • faster access to new technologies; This consultation document sets out • cheaper prices for the most popular wireless our proposals. services; and • greater choice and greater competition for 1.2 Spectrum trading has been considered extensively wireless services. in this country in recent years, beginning with the Review of Radio Spectrum Management (the 1.5 Spectrum trading is a far-reaching new approach ‘Cave Review’) in March 2002, leading on to the to spectrum management. However, it may be consultation entitled ‘Implementing Spectrum insufficient alone to address all the complex Trading’ undertaken by the Radiocommunications requirements of spectrum usage. As such, Agency (RA) in July 2002. The introduction of Ofcom