Ofcom has announced that the UK’s next spectrum auction will be held in 2025, offering licenses for the mmWave bands in the 25.1-27.5 GHz and 40.5-43.5 GHz ranges.
The auction will feature initial reserve prices of GBP 2 million per lot for the 26 GHz bands and GBP 1 million per lot for the 40 GHz bands. The sale aims to boost next-generation connectivity in high-demand locations, including densely populated areas, stadiums, and concert venues.
Ofcom has confirmed that spectrum license auctions will take place in 2025, although a specific date has not yet been set. The regulator expects to provide further updates on the timing “before the end of this year.”
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Ofcom has released detailed information for operators interested in the upcoming licenses. These will be offered for 15-year terms, with no use-it-or-lose-it conditions, meaning operators won’t risk losing their licenses if they don’t deploy the frequencies within a given timeframe. While spectrum rights can be traded, leasing will not be allowed.
Licenses will be divided into high-density and low-density areas, with high-density licenses being auctioned, while lower-density licenses will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Operators looking to acquire licenses in the 26 GHz band will also need to account for areas where fixed links may remain in operation until 2028.
The spectrum will include safeguards to protect radio astronomy, shared access, and inter-satellite communications to prevent interference.
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Ofcom has outlined that licensees must coordinate their operations to avoid harmful interference with other license holders and adhere to specific power and antenna orientation limits, especially in high-density areas.
The decision to offer mmWave spectrum, rather than relying solely on standard 5G bands, is driven by mmWave’s capability to deliver ultra-high speeds and large data capacities over short distances.
“The 26 GHz and 40 GHz spectrum bands, which together comprise 6.25 GHz of spectrum, have both been identified for mobile services globally, and for 5G in Europe. Making mmWave spectrum available for new uses has the potential to deliver significant benefits to people and businesses in the UK,” the regulator said in an update.
It was shared that licenses for mmWave spectrum will be made available on a local basis through the existing shared access licensing framework.
