Bringing broadband access to underserved areas is the most ‘econo...
Bringing broadband access to underserved areas is the most “economically productive and socially beneficial” use of spectrum freed up by the switch from analog to digital TV, the U.K. Communications Management Assn. and Open Spectrum U.K. told the Office…
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of Communications (Ofcom) Fri. The transition in 2012 is expected to release a large amount of prime spectrum, and Ofcom is examining ways to use the “digital dividend.” The groups told the regulator that wireless broadband is the best Internet access solution for rural regions, and that networks built for UHF cost less than network for higher bands. Allowing wireless access networks to use UHF will broaden the territory broadband is economically feasible, they said. But they added that experience has shown rural areas aren’t likely to win spectrum license auctions when they compete with higher- density areas -- so Ofcom should reserve spectrum for use in underserved and rural locations without requiring license auctions. Ofcom’s final draft proposal for the digital dividend is due in the fall.