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The UK telecoms and media regulator, Ofcom, has proposed making 448MHz of the spectrum frequency in the 28GHz band available to satellite broadband services. This includes their Earth station gateways, which could enhance data speeds and extend coverage to remote communities.

Previously, parts of the 28GHz band were allocated to a combination of fixed wireless and satellite uses under different authorizations. However, Ofcom recently agreed to modify Arqiva’s national 28GHz Spectrum Access license, resulting in the return of 448MHz of “unassigned spectrum.”

Ofcom’s new proposal aims to make both the unassigned spectrum and the four “guard bands” in the 28GHz spectrum band available to Non-geostationary satellite (NGSO) Earth station gateways and Geostationary satellite (GSO) gateways (Permanent Earth stations – PES). This move is expected to benefit satellite broadband operators like Starlink and OneWeb.

Satellite gateways are typically located at single sites, which minimizes their impact on other users. This allows for potential future sharing of spectrum access among different users. Ofcom plans to consult on this matter by the end of 2023.

The public consultation on Ofcom’s proposal will run until September 29, 2023. The regulatory body is expected to announce its decision in the autumn.

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