Open Spectrum UK
- Engaging public debate upon the strategic national resource of the radio spectrum, "The Invisible Wealth of Nations."
- Open Spectrum UK:
- was convened in January 2005 by John Wilson and Julian Priest.
- is an advocacy project to engage informed debate upon the future of spectrum access in the UK.
- has organised a number of events exploring technology, society and culture.
- Read more on the aims of Open Spectrum UK here
News
- The Ofcom Digital Dividend Review (DDR): Ofcom press release, 17|11|05 (posted 18 November 2005)
Ofcom announced today the beginning of the Digital Dividend Review (DDR) - the project which will examine the options arising from the release of spectrum afforded by the digital switchover programme.
The airwaves ÃÂ or radio spectrum ÃÂ are a finite national asset. The five terrestrial television channels that currently broadcast in analogue (BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and five) use nearly half of the most valuable bands of spectrum below 1GHz.
Television uses spectrum based on a 50 year old planning model when there were very few alternative uses of these frequencies. There have been a number of significant innovations since, such as colour television and mobile telephony; however, this important spectrum is still used according to a plan originally prepared in the late 1950s.
Digital broadcasting is roughly six times more efficient than analogue, allowing more channels to be carried across fewer airwaves. The plans for digital switchover will therefore allow for an increase in the efficiency with which the spectrum is used - including the potential for a large amount of spectrum to be released for wholly new services.
This cleared spectrum ÃÂ the Digital Dividend ÃÂ offers real opportunities for wireless innovation. The Digital Dividend could enable the launch of a wide range of different services. For example:
* New mobile services, with high quality video and interactive media delivered to handheld devices.
* Wireless broadband services, with high-speed data and voice services.
* Wider coverage for advanced services in remote and rural areas. This spectrum is particularly suitable for low cost, wider-area coverage.
* Advanced business and broadcasting services, such as those used to support major sporting events.
* Additional television channels including possible High Definition (HD) channels carried on Freeview.
This is not an exhaustive list, nor does it indicate prior preference. The UK has a proven reputation for innovation in wireless services and it is likely that ideas for other new services will emerge before and after switchover.
(...)
Read the full Ofcom press release here∞
OfcomÃÂs work plan
Over the next year Ofcom will assess how the cleared spectrum should best be made available for use. Ofcom will analyse the most efficient use of these frequencies and how best they should be packaged for potential users. It will also begin work on auction design, with a view to ensuring that the spectrum is acquired by users who are likely to make best use of it.
This means Ofcom will:
* consider the potential uses for the available spectrum;
* set out the technical limits on spectrum use to prevent potential interference;
* draw up packages of frequencies that give flexibility to the market;
* design an efficient auction/allocation process.
This preparatory work will involve considerable technical, economic and market analysis. Ofcom would also like to hear as many views as possible from people and organisations with an interest in the use of this spectrum. It will hold a series of briefing seminars throughout 2006, with the first due to take place in January or February. Ofcom will also work closely with the main Government departments with an interest in the use of spectrum ÃÂ the DTI, DCMS and the Treasury.
The proposed timetable is:
* Digital Dividend Review (DDR) begins - November 2005
* Programme team and consultants in place - end 2005
* Stakeholder meetings begin - Jan-Feb 2006
* Outcome of RRC - June 2006
* Digital Dividend Review completed - Q3 2006
* Ofcom publishes final proposals - Q4 2006
* Digital switchover programme begins - 2008
* Digital switchover programme completed - 2012
Ofcom Chief Executive Stephen Carter said: ÃÂThe benefits of digital switchover, in terms of efficient use of spectrum and subsequent innovation, are becoming clearer.ÃÂ
He added: ÃÂThis Review is intended to maximise the Digital Dividend.ÃÂ
(...)
Read the full Ofcom press release here∞
- The search for spectrum: Peter Cochrane's blog, silicon.com, 10 October 2005 (posted 25 October 2005)
Peter Cochrane participated in the Cybersalon & Open Spectrum UK conference,
FUTURE WIRELESS: practical.discourse.creative, at the Science Museum's Dana Centre, London, 4 October 2005. The following article presents ideas aired in Peter's contribution to the evening
Wireless Horizons panel discussion:
The search for spectrum:
All the free spectrum we need for a wireless world is there to go get!... All it needs is a change of mindset - the technology will do the rest.
Every time I look at the allocation of radio spectrum channels I go to a brightly coloured wall chart (...) that gives the impression that it is a resource of great scarcity.
However, every time I look at the spectrum using an analyser and antenna I find a desert, just a few signals and a lot of random noise. The reality is that the radio spectrum has, at a modest estimate, a utilisation of less than 10 per cent. What is happening?
Unfortunately, analogue systems and analogue thinking still rules! Dumb transmitters pump out high power AM, FM and PM signals, in many different guises. Then equally dumb receivers listen, plucking out a fraction of the energy from the ether. This is the world I grew up in as a young engineer, where interference, multi-path, scatter and signal-to-noise ratio dominated all design and operational considerations. This automatically leads you to a world of bands and channels - a carving up of the spectrum for individual applications and uses.
But we have a new raft of digital systems being rolled out that have intelligence built into the transmitter and receiver. They talk to each other to minimise the energy used and problems associated with interference and signal scatter. Also, their signal processing aids consistent performance by adjusting the modulation mode. So in contrast to the analogue world, we can reuse time, frequency and space like never before. This gives us a whole raft of new freedoms.
Further:
SearchForSpectrumCochrane
FUTURE WIRELESS? Some industry and technology observations from Peter Cochrane(posted 30 September 2005)
See the Cybersalon website for details of the 4 October 2005 conference FUTURE WIRELESS:practical.discourse.creative at the Science Museum's Dana Centre, London: event outline here∞ and programme here∞
Looking forward to debate on Future Wireless, Open Spectrum UK has permission to publish a statement on technology observations from Peter Cochrane.
In a submission to Ofcom's Independent Audit of Spectrum Holdings, Peter Cochrane says:
The future is far more likely to be dominated by the small/individual user rather than the giant corporation - and in both realms the opportunity for making more money from spectrum sales/renting will most likely diminish with time - the real wealth will be generated by the freedom to move bits and provide services that service and support business.
Open Spectrum UK comments:
Peter Cochrane's industry and technology observations on wireless technology trends highlight a future wireless world beyond the current regulatory mindset. Perhaps the time is ripe for a fresh audit of regulatory thinking, to re-assess the technology, economic, and public policy tools for spectrum management policy. Perhaps also to engage wider public debate upon the strategic national resource of the radio spectrum, "The Invisible Wealth of Nations.
- FUTURE WIRELESS:practical.discourse.creative - Speakers confirmed for the discourse.wireless track(posted 28 September 2005)
At the Science Museum's Dana Centre, London, 4 October 2005
See the Cybersalon website for event details here∞ and here∞
Future Wireless conference - a day of presentation, demonstration, practical workshop, artistic intervention and debate to demonstrate and probe the nature, impact and potential of the wireless Internet, mobile telecommunications and other radio-based technologies. Future Wireless is the lastest in a series of collaborative events with Open Spectrum UK, a coalition of non-profit organisations engaged in community wireless networking and the advocacy of licence-exempt access to radio spectrum - as part of NODE.London's autumn '05 season
Speakers are now confirmed for the discourse.wireless track:
discourse.wireless Sessions:
WIRELESS ECOLOGIES: BROADBAND BRITAIN?
Convenor: John Wilson, Open Spectrum UK
Emerging wireless broadband technologies have been deployed in the UK in recent years as an innovative first mile/last mile solution for remote and rural areas. And with the current hype surrounding
WiMax, wireless is poised to transform the coverage map across all geographies to deliver the vision of ÃÂBroadband BritianÃÂ. Join our experts in this unique reflection upon where we've come from and where we're heading on the "Broadband Britain" journey.
* We focus upon three leading UK wireless broadband deployments at the community, regional and national levels, to explore wireless and the evolving communications landscape ecology.
* We also engage global expertise to explore our Future Wireless theme, as BT are a member of the
WiMax consortium and Peter Cochrane is a celebrated technology futurist (and former CTO for BT).
* Join us in our discursive enquiry into such issues as Wireless Broadband- DIY or DIFM? (do-it-yourself or do-it-for-me?) Broadcast or narrowcast? Spectrum, The Invisible Wealth of Nations?
Presentations:
2.45-4.00pm - discourse.wireless
Daniel Heery (Alston Cybermoor) - Community, Broadband and Narrowcast
Barry Eaton (Anglesey Connected) - Building a Regional Broadband Network
5-6.00pm -
SuperNode Keynotes
Ian Robinson (Head of Emerging Products, BT) - BT and
WiMax
Peter Cochrane (
ConceptLabs) - Future Wireless? Technology, Regulation & Society
Giles Lane (Proboscis) - Social Tapestries: Public authoring in the Wireless City
WIRELESS HORIZONS PANEL7.00-8.15pm - WIRELESS HORIZONS PANEL SESSION 1, Presentations & Audience Q&A
Provocateur: John Wilson (
OpenSpectrumUK)
Panelists:
Dooeun Choi (Arts Center Nabi)
Peter Cochrane (Concept Labs)
Robert Horvitz (Open Spectrum Foundation)
Adam Hyde (radioqualia)
Tapio Mäkelä (HIIT/m-cult)
Francis
McKee (Glasgow Centre for Contemporary Art)
Ian Robinson (BT)
Marc Tuters (University South California)
8.45-10.00pm - WIRELESS HORIZONS PANEL SESSION 2, Presentations & Audience Q&A
Announcing FUTURE WIRELESS:practical.discourse.creative
At the Science Museum's Dana Centre, London, 4 October 2005 (posted 24 August 2005)
Future Wireless conference - a day of presentation, demonstration, practical workshop, artistic intervention and debate to demonstrate and probe the nature, impact and potential of the wireless Internet, mobile telecommunications and other radio-based technologies. Future Wireless is the lastest in a series of collaborative events with Open Spectrum UK, a coalition of non-profit organisations engaged in community wireless networking and the advocacy of licence-exempt access to radio spectrum - as part of NODE.London's autumn '05 season
See the Cybersalon website for event details
here∞ and
here∞
- Ofcom Consultation: Cave Audit of Spectrum Holdings (posted 10 july 2005)
Update 2 Sept 2005: Ofcom announcement- For information: a new publication has been added to the website of the Independent Audit of Spectrum Holdings. The Audit, being carried out by Professor Martin Cave, commissioned a report from consultants Analysys Mason on future commercial demand for spectrum as background information for the Audit. This study is published on the Audit's website today and can be found at www.spectrumaudit.org.uk under "News". It makes scenario-based demand projections focusing on the next 10 years but extending to 20 years, for cellular, fixed link, broadband wireless access, satellite and terrestrial TV broadcasting services, and concentrating on the major uses and users of the spectrum below 15GHz.
Extract from UK Treasury press release: 7 July 2005
Professor Martin Cave today invited views on issues that he will address in his Independent Audit of Spectrum Holdings, which focuses primarily on public sector holdings. These issues are set out in a consultation document and interested parties are encouraged to respond to the issues raised, which indicate the proposed direction of the Audit.
The radio spectrum is a valuable, finite resource. In the 2004 Pre-Budget Report, the Chancellor of the Exchequer commissioned an Independent Audit of Spectrum Holdings. The Audit is focusing on bands below 15GHz used by the public sector and fixed links and concentrating on those with the most potential for use by commercial organisations. Professor Martin Cave was asked to investigate whether these frequencies are being used as efficiently as possible and to review the effectiveness of incentives for making efficient use of spectrum.
Professor Martin Cave said:
ÃÂRadio spectrum is a valuable resource. The public sector is the largest user of this resource, for which there has been - and is likely to continue to be ÃÂ growing commercial demand. It is therefore important to ensure that effective use is being made of these holdings. The introduction of market mechanisms into spectrum management will introduce both challenges and opportunities for the public sector. These need to be addressed, and mechanisms put in place to incentivise efficient use of these major holdings, now and in the future, while safeguarding the operation of essential security and safety of life services. I would encourage all those with an interest in these issues ÃÂ public sector uses and those commercial users who might benefit from the changes we are suggesting ÃÂ to contribute to this consultation. ÃÂ
The closing date for responses is 1st September 2005. Professor Cave will publish his recommendations and Final Report ahead of the Pre-Budget Report 2005.
- Ofcom publishes its conclusion to the Spectrum Framework Review (posted 29 June 2005)
- Read the full Ofcom Spectrum Framework Review Statement here ∞
28|06|05 | Ofcom approach to spectrum management |
Ofcom today published the conclusion of its Spectrum Framework Review, setting out its approach to the future management of radio spectrum in the UK. The Review advocates a market-led approach, in contrast to the previous regime under which the regulator decided the type of organisation that should have access to specific parts of the spectrum, and how they should be used. OfcomÃÂs proposals were subject to public consultation and were broadly supported by stakeholders. - Full press release
here∞
29 June 2005 | Dugie Standeford | Communications Daily (Washington, USA) | a subscription news service: www.warren-news.com | Reproduced with permission of Warren Communications News
"The regulator envisions market forces will manage 72% of
spectrum, while 7% will fall under license-exempt use, and the
other 21% will be managed under current Ofcom approaches. The Open
Spectrum Foundation, which lobbies for more radio bands for license
exempt use, called Ofcom's decision disappointing. Ofcom 'made a few
minor changes, like agreeing to periodic surveys of congestion in
some of the unlicensed bands,' said Dir. Robert Horvitz. But it
failed to understand its own statement that where use of particular
equipment for wireless telegraphy isn't likely to cause harmful
interference, that use must be exempt from license requirements, he
said. Capping license-exempt spectrum at 800MHz or estimating how
much of it is 'needed' is simply wrongheaded,' he said. Ofcom is
required by law to justify the need for licensing, not license
exemption, Horvitz said."
- Wireless Utopias 05: An Open Future for Spectrum? - Peter Cochrane's Silicon.com Blog (posted June 3rd 2005)
02.06.05, 12.15 GMT, The Science Museum, London, UK: Don't hold your breath for 3G∞
Will the mobile industry ever learn? Customers call the shots, not industry or government....
I just had a meeting with a group of young people who brought back a flood of memories from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, when the UK population wanted commercial radio but the government of the day was wed to a BBC-only world. This resulted in offshore radio stations on trawlers 'illegally' transmitting commercial radio. The government and regulators were outraged, whilst the public and advertisers were delighted. The outcome? Commercial radio was legalised. Public action and opinion won the day! (...) Well, watch out for 4G, 5G, 6G etc... it is time to watch the users and the technology again!
- Wireless Utopias 05: An Open Future for Spectrum? - notes (posted May 31st 2005)
The event sold out early and the scene was set for excellent presentations which was followed by lively debatein Q&A. A blog of the event can be found here
- Wireless Utopias 05: An Open Future for Spectrum? - Speakers confirmed.
May 26th, 7-9pm at the Science Museum's Dana Centre.(posted May 17th 2005)
The event programme and speakers have now been confirmed. The event is free but you must register by mailing your request to bookings@cybersalon.org∞ and see Cybersalon∞ for venue details.
Provocateur: John Wilson (Open Spectrum UK)
Panel: Michael Marcus (former FCC; USA),Dewayne Hendricks (Dandin Group; California, USA), Dr. Onno Purbo (Indonesia), Peter Bury (Ofcom; UK), William Webb (Ofcom; UK), Gordon Adgey (Broadband4Devon; UK), Peter Cochrane (Concept Labs; UK)
Bearing points for debate: Towards an Open Spectrum policy?
The reform of Spectrum Management Policy is one of the strategic issues for the Communications Agenda in the UK at present! Yet spectrum policy is below most people's radar- no pun intended.
We may say that the radio spectrum is rather a part of The Invisible Wealth of Nations. We need to engage wider public debate on the future of this strategic national resource.
Open Spectrum UK argues for a balance of the commercial and the public interest in access to and use of the radio spectrum. Read More ...
Announcing Wireless Utopias 05: An Open Future for Spectrum?
May 26th, 7-9pm at the Science Museum's Dana Centre. (posted April 26th 2005)
Cybersalon∞ and Open Spectrum UK host a unique debate on the future of wireless communications and the strategic prospects for utilising the radio spectrum. Put questions to a panel of leading International experts and Ofcom representatives who will discuss the big issues of technology, regulation and society. Part of the
Wireless London∞ initiative.
The context for this second event in the Wireless Utopias series is Ofcom's
Spectrum Framework Review∞, and we explore wireless utopias from the open market to open spectrum. The radio spectrum is a part of The Invisible Wealth of Nations, and we need to engage wider public debate. Is the radio spectrum a common public good and global resource, or a commodity subject to the discipline of the market place?
Programme details and speakers to be announced shortly. See the
Cybersalon ∞ website for registration and Venue details.
- Ofcom Spectrum Framework Review Submissions published (posted March 31st 2005)
The full list∞ of responses to the Spectrum Framework Review have now been published .
- Open Spectrum UK Ofcom Spectrum Framework Review Submission (posted February 15th 2005)
Reflecting on the topics raised in the document presenting OfcomÃÂsSpectrum Framework Review∞, we found agreement with each other on numerous issues and therefore decided to submit a collective response.