Ofcom validates 800MHz spectrum plans (UK)

On 07.01.09, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Ofcom has confirmed proposals for the 800Mhz spectrum that is currently being used by the country’s analogue TV signal. The regulator has unveiled plans following a public consultation earlier this year on whether it should align its spectrum with the digital dividend in other European countries.

Ofcom has confirmed it will clear the entire band, noting that it ‘believe(s) that freeing-up the whole 800MHz band for new uses will provide large benefits to citizens and consumers. These entail lower equipment prices for consumers, more efficient use of spectrum, improved opportunities for new generations of mobile broadband and more scope for competition and innovation in new wireless services’.

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British mobile operators may face spectrum cap

On 05.13.09, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The UK mobile operators are likely to be forced to cap the amount of spectrum they own, under a proposal which targeted at settling a dispute and fulfilling the government’s target of providing universal broadband.
The country’s five main mobile operators have been in dispute since Ofcom in 2007 said it could take radio spectrum away from the two top operators O2, owned by Telefonica, and Vodafone.

Ofcom had reportedly said that the 900 Megahertz spectrum could then be auctioned to Orange, T-Mobile and 3 calling for billions of pounds in network launch savings. Ofcom had plans to lift the regulatory restrictions on using the 3G services such as surfing the Internet and using gaming services could also be offered over older second generation (2G) networks.

They said it was cheaper to provide 3G-type services over the 900 MHz band in rural areas than its rival 2G frequency, the 1800 MHz, as the lower frequency travels further and needs fewer base stations and masts.

O2 and Vodafone have been against the plans and the dispute came as a potential barrier for the government to launch universal broadband, which asks for cooperation from the operators.
Under the proposals outlined by the Independent Spectrum Broker, mobile operator would be given a spectrum cap, meaning they could hold on to the spectrum they own but would need to sell it before buying any more.

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Ofcom issues new rules to slash calls cost to 0870 numbers (UK)

On 04.24.09, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Ofcom has executed new rules to clarify the price of calls to 0870 numbers (These numbers are used by many businesses and organisations to provide a wide range of information and advice including many customer service lines.) The regulator is hoping that communication providers will slash high prices for 0870 numbers from fixed lines and mobiles than calls to “geographic rate” numbers (01, 02 or 03 numbers). Ofcom also wants 0870 numbers in call packages on the same basis as geographic calls.

“These measures may significantly reduce the cost of calling 0870 numbers whilst increasing consumers’ awareness about the costs of calling them,” Ofcom said.

Communications providers will also be responsible to make sure that their subscribers know how much they will be charged for calling an 0870 number. The providers are not permitted to advertise 0870 numbers as “national rate” unless they are charging at geographic rates. If they do not abide by the rules, they could be subject to enforcement action including possible fines. The new regulations will be implemented from 1st August.

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Ofcom executes mobile termination rate reduction (UK)

On 04.06.09, In Mobile, By Editor

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: British telecoms regulator Ofcom has reportedly ruled that mobile termination rates (MTRs) are slashed up to 21%.

As per the new rule, both Vodafone and O2 will cut their average mobile termination rates to GBP0.0471 (USD0.0687) per minute, a cut of 8.4% adjusted for inflation. Moreover, Orange will also reduce its rates by 11.1 % to GBP0.0484 per minute. 3, owned by Hutchison Whampoa will have to cut MTR to GBP0.0583 per minute, a 20.9% cut. This rule is driven by the regulator’s implementation of price controls for the next two years. The regulator is planning to equalize by the end of March 2011, and a further reduction in the rates is expected next year.

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Ofcom speculates spectrum sale in March’09 (UK)

On 11.03.08, In Mobile, By Editor

Ofcom, UK telecoms regulator issues an update on the progress towards the spectrum sale in 2GHz band, stating that it expects the conclusion of all legal action related to the matter by February’09; the sale itself would then likely take place in March’09.
Challenges to the sale have come from mobile operators T-Mobile and O2, both of which have deny any auction for spectrum until a decision is made by the regulator concerning spectrum in the 900MHz band.
Spectrum in the 900MHz band is currently limited by licence to GSM 2G technology, but it has been speculated that the licence could be updated to include 3G or 4G.

   

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Ofcom reports 85% of British Adults are mobile (UK)

On 08.28.08, In Mobile, By Editor

Ofcom reports 85% of the UK’s adult population have a mobile now and has become a part of their lives.

The number of mobile phone subscribers in the UK is over 70 million, the number higher than the population of 60 million of the country.
The households tend to have mobile phones rather than fixed line.
Figures for the market include:

  • Number of mobile connections: 74 million
  • Number of mobile voice calls: 115.6 minutes per month per subscriber
  • Number of SMS and MMS messages sent: 59.1 billion
  • Average time spent texting and calling per mobile connection: 10 minutes per day.

“The UK has the most competitive mobile industry in Europe – with five operators and a healthy number of virtual network operators competing to offer services,” Ofcom said.

“The sector generates over £15bn a year – 51 per cent of overall retail revenue for telecoms in the UK. The mobile sector now produces more revenue than fixed voice and broadband services combined.” it added.

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Ofcom further delays 3G auction (UK)

On 08.18.08, In Mobile, By Editor

Ofcom, the British regulator, will not, reportedly, auction off three blocks of 2.6GHz spectrum in October.

The spectrum which was intended to be last year got delayed to october this year due to legal action by T-Mobile and O2 pointing at the future usage of existing spectrum.  Both T-Mobile and O2 contend that until they know the future of existing spectrum they cannot accurately assess the value of the 26GHz spectrum.

There hasn’t been any announcements regarding auction by Ofcom.
   

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Ofcom delays 3G auction as O2 and T-Mobile challenge the regulator legally (UK)

On 08.07.08, In Mobile, By Editor

Ofcom, UK, has further delayed the 3G spectrum expansion, as the auction process is being legally challenged by T-Mobile and O2.

Application for spectrum were to be invited in July initially but as now that has been delayed.

The operators were not satisfied with Ofcom’s paln to auction more 3G spectrum.

A statement from the regulator, issued, says: ‘Litigation is currently ongoing and we continue to press for it to be progressed as expeditiously as possible. In the meantime, we have decided that we will not call for applications in September or October 2008.’

   

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Ofcom reaches in-flight,doubts high tariff (UK)

On 07.30.08, In Mobile, By Editor

Ofcom leading communication regulator has moved a step closer for in-flight mobile use. Radio equipment is required for mobile communications on aircraft (MCA) which would be licensed under the 2006 Wireless Telegraphy Act. For UK aircraft operators the licenses will be issued on request. According to Ofcom EU regulators would have to approve any system as would the European Aviation Safety Agency and the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Also calls will not be permitted when planes are below 3,000ft.

With the announcement of this security issue has come under the shadow. They raised concerns about passengers welfare and the potential for discomfort, anti-social behaviour and air rage on board.

According to the regulators, “These issues are outside Ofcom’s remit and it will be for these regulatory bodies to consider the safety, welfare and security issues relevant to them.”

Ofcom said there had also been concerns about the cost of making calls from planes. It said: “Ofcom is concerned about this issue as tariffs may well be high relative to other mobile communication services and there is a danger that consumers will receive unexpectedly high bills.

“Ofcom will be talking to all concerned parties to understand what steps can be taken to ensure consumers understand the costs of making calls from on board an aircraft. Ofcom will monitor this situation closely.”

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Ofcom sets 2-hour deadline for mobile number porting (UK)

On 11.30.07, In Mobile, By Editor

UK regulator Ofcom set new rules to allow consumers keep their mobile number when they switch providers. Under the new rules, consumers will be able to receive calls using their existing number within two hours of moving to a new mobile network. The rules are expected to strengthen competition and consumer convenience, and it will also help protect consumers from the risk of losing calls if their old providers’ network fails. The move follows Ofcom’s earlier decision to reduce mobile number porting lead times from five days to two days from 1 April 2008. Two-hour transfers for mobile numbers must now be implemented by 1 September 2009. In addition, mobile operators will have to ensure that the new porting process includes the necessary levels of protection for consumers. Ofcom also advises mobile operators to co-operate to create a common regulated database to handle calls in order to bring more efficient call routing. This will ensure that consumers are not affected by problems with their old their network, after they have ported their number. The new database will remove dependency on the previous network by routing calls to ported numbers directly to the new provider’s network without the need for the call to travel over the previous network.

   

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