Recently Ofcom has published its consultation on spectrum liberalisation. In many ways it reflects the view of the EU study that was published in July: spectrum should be liberalised, the question is how, when, and to what extent.

There is, however, one vital distinction in the Ofcom report. In their report (or, more accurately stated, the “consultation”), Ofcom has recognised the potential impact of new technologies on a spectrum liberalisation regime, stating:

4.25 Advanced wireless technologies raise specific issues in relation to spectrum rights and quality. Faster and cheaper processing power will make radios more intelligent and able to use spectrum more intensively without impinging on other users. Proponents claim that such technologies can operate in licensed spectrum without interfering with the licensed use. For example, ultra wideband (UWB) technology transmits data at very high speed over a wide range of frequencies but at very low power levels that are claimed to be below thebackground noise floor. Software defined (or cognitive) radio (SDR) hops to an unused frequency if it senses a licensed user trying to gain access.

Bravo! Ofcom should be contratulated for its recognition of these new technologies. After all, if UWB and SDR are viable — and they appear to be — their implementation could flip the proposals for spectrum liberalisation on their head. Simply ignoring them (as the EU study appears to have done) risks implementing a system that is bankrupt the second it goes live. Although there is much work to be done, Ofcom has shown considerable foresight by acknowledging (at least implicitly) that new technologies will invariably impact the trading models that they are considering.