Ofcom has announced that it will make mmWave spectrum across the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands available for new mobile technologies and 5G services. The regulator believes this would be good for mobile users at train stations, football stadiums, and concerts where the deluge of traffic can make data speeds slow.

In addition to mobile users, the unlocking of these bands could be beneficial for users of new technologies such as virtual reality, factory automation, and driverless cars. With many companies scaling back their work with experimental technologies, regulators such as Ofcom could have more time to put these network improvements in place before consumers demand them.

Explaining the next steps, Ofcom said:


Ofcom says it is now consulting on the design of the auction for city-wide licenses, the conditions for city-wide and local mmWave licenses, and how users of the spectrum will be coordinated. It said it will accept responses to this consultation until May 22.