Ofcom will, in 2009,
auction off the radio frequenciesthat
presently carry terrestrial television following the national
switch to digital TV.
The frequencies are suitable for ultra-fast
wireless broadband services, mobile television, more digital
terrestrial television channels in either standard or
high-definition, local television, wireless microphones, and
low-power applications developed from Wi-Fi, Ofcom said.
Transmissions in the UHF band cover large geographical areas
with relatively few transmitters, and penetrate buildings well.
This makes it the highest quality spectrum likely to be released in
the UK in the next 10 or 20 years, Ofcom said.
Ofcom said an auction would create the maximum flexibility for
different services. It would also allow use of the spectrum to
change as demand develops, as technology evolves and as new
services become available.
It would encourage innovation in technology and services,
competition in wireless services and lower prices, it said.
Together this would boost the economy by £5bn to £10bn over 20
years. Use of the radio spectrum presently underpins 3% of the UK's
GDP, it said.