Ofcom has increased the amount of radio spectrum available
for use by radio frequency identification (RFID) equipment used to
track items in the supply chain. But the move has not addressed
concerns about the international compatibility of RFID
tags.
Ofcom is to make the 865-868MHz radio spectrum available for
unlicensed use and has exempted RFID equipment from the Wireless
Telephony Act. This will allow more users to deploy efficient
UHF-based RFID tags.
Ovum analyst Elsa Lion said, "The 865-868MHz band is not a standard
used by the majority of applications."
The frequency is not compatible with the proposed RFID
specification from standards committee EPCGlobal, which is
recommending the range above 900MHz. Tracking along global supply
chains, particularly between the US and Europe, requires equipment
to support frequencies above 900MHz.
