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<p>The Government’s key objectives in relation to spectrum are ensuring the efficient
and effective use, improving mobile coverage and encouraging innovation and investment
in new 5G services to meet future demand. In the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review,
the Government set out how the 3.6 GHz band could facilitate access to spectrum to
support 5G services, thus promoting dynamic efficiency and innovation through more
flexible approaches to spectrum licensing.</p><p> </p><p>We welcome Ofcom’s consultation
document on the 700 MHz and 3.6-3.8 GHz release for 5G services. Whilst Ofcom have
provisionally stated that these bands will be auctioned on a national basis, the Government
continues to explore spectrum sharing models which would allow community or small
provider solutions to meet the needs of local areas.</p><p> </p><p>DCMS meets regularly
with Ofcom to discuss these issues and consider future use cases for 5G technologies.
However as Ofcom is the national regulatory authority, they are responsible for managing
spectrum and ensuring that spectrum is used in the most effective way to facilitate
such growth.</p><p> </p><p>More broadly, the Government believes that there should
be greater liquidity in the spectrum market and barriers to spectrum trading should
be removed. The Government would like Ofcom to clarify, through amendments to its
Spectrum Trading Guidance Notes, that leasing or pooling of spectrum is not prohibited
under the Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Spectrum Trading) Regulations 2011 (as amended).</p>
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