Licensed mmWave: Opportunity or overhead?

"Following Ofcom's latest spectrum auction, EE, O2, and VodafoneThree have each secured new mmWave spectrum - 800 MHz in the 26 GHz band and 1 GHz in the 40 GHz band - committing to pay £13 million each for this spectrum. The £39 million auction signals a major step in strengthening 5G capacity in the 68 designated high-density areas. This development paves the way for faster, more resilient wireless broadband experiences."

"While fiber remains the long-term backbone of UK connectivity, licensed mmWave provides a faster, more flexible route to deliver gigabit-capable connectivity, particularly in dense urban areas where fiber deployment can be slow and expensive. With fiber deployments facing physical and economic constraints in many urban environments, FWA emerges as a flexible, high-speed alternative that can accelerate coverage, power AI-driven innovation and future-proof enterprise networks."

"Ofcom's two-tier licensing model has redefined how smaller operators can access and monetize high-capacity spectrum. The SAL offers an affordable, predictable path for WISPs and alternative operators - with fixed annual fees, indefinite renewals, and immediate deployment rights. It's designed for scalability in suburban and rural markets, giving providers the confidence to expand coverage without major capital exposure. Meanwhile, the LAL, while more complex, provides flexibility in high-density areas where shared access is restricted."

EE, O2 and VodafoneThree each secured 800 MHz in the 26 GHz band and 1 GHz in the 40 GHz band, committing £13 million apiece. The combined £39 million allocation targets 68 designated high-density areas to increase 5G capacity. The 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands together account for about 57% of licensed UK spectrum (excluding EHF), with 3 GHz available in each band under a technology-neutral licensing model. Licensed mmWave provides a faster, flexible route to gigabit-capable connectivity and supports Fixed Wireless Access where fibre deployment is slow or costly. Ofcom's two-tier SAL and LAL model enables smaller operators and flexible high-density use.

Read at ChannelPro