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UK communications regulator, Ofcom, has announced proposals to increase the availability of radio spectrum for use by earth station gateways. These gateways are large ground dishes that connect satellite networks to the Internet. By making more spectrum accessible, satellite operators can expand their broadband services in the UK.

Earth station gateways play a crucial role in connecting homes and businesses in rural areas that are hard to reach with traditional broadband infrastructure. They also support connectivity on trains, airplanes, and ships. Currently, gateways typically utilize the 27.5 – 30 GHz spectrum (28 GHz band) for Earth-to-space uplink transmission.

Earlier in the year, Arqiva returned 448 MHz of spectrum within the 28 GHz band to Ofcom. In response, Ofcom is proposing to make this spectrum, along with four ‘guard bands’, available for earth station gateways. This move aims to provide operators with more access to the necessary airwaves for their gateway operations.

Ofcom reassures that gateways are stationed at single sites and their impact on other users is limited. Therefore, Ofcom anticipates the possibility of allowing other users to share access to this spectrum in the future. A consultation on this matter is expected to take place later in 2023.

Interested parties can participate in the current consultation until September 29th, 2023, with a deadline of 5pm.

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