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Ed Vaizey hails progress on freeing up publicly-held spectrum
Spectrum that can be used to improve mobile broadband services is being released by the public sector.
An update on the Conservative-led coalition's attempt to release 500MHz of spectrum currently utilised by the public sector by 2020 has been published, revealing bands have been identified from which around 470MHz can potentially be sourced.
In the October 2010 Spending Review, the government announced its intention to free up at least 500MHz of airwaves below 5GHz over the coming decade and identified mobile broadband as one of the uses.
Spectrum with "clear commercial applications and value" - such as the ability to use it for delivering mobile broadband - has been prioritised for release, the progress report explained.
As part of the process, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has already begun action to free up 160MHz from the 2.3-2.4GHz and 3.4-3.6GHz bands, which could be utilised to enhance public mobile services by 2016. It is believed an additional 40MHz could be released from these bands by 2020.
Some spectrum held by the MoD may also be offered as a short-term sharing opportunity until December 2015, to allow for these bands to be freed up in 2015-16.
Commenting on the update, Mr Vaizey stressed it is "essential" that valuable airwaves are used efficiently, meaning public-sector spectrum that is not being utilised must be released.
"We are making real progress on opening up this spectrum to the businesses that can use it to drive growth," he remarked.
Commercial Secretary to the Treasury Lord Sassoon stated these airwaves have "enormous value" to the whole of society and are an important driver of innovation and economic growth.
He added the progress update "sends a clear signal of the government's determination to realise the full potential of spectrum to support economic growth".