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The UK telecoms regulator has today proposed to give other operators access to harness the 2GHz radio spectrum band for Mobile Satellite Services (MMS), such as to support Direct-to-Device (DtD) solutions for connecting 4G and 5G Smartphones. Separately, they’ve also proposed to make more spectrum available for Earth Station in Motion (ESIM) satellite terminals on ships and aircraft.
We’ll start with the 2GHz band announcement (1980 – 2010MHz and 2170 – 2200MHz), which reflects spectrum that is already harmonised across the EU and the UK for MSS. Since 2009 the band(s) have been licensed to two satellite operators – Viasat and Echostar – on an exclusive basis, but these are due to expire in May 2027.
Viasat currently uses this for their European Aviation Network (EAN) to help provide in-flight WiFi, which launched in 2019 and operates across several airlines (although Starlink has begun to eat into that). As for Echostar, they use the spectrum for an Internet of Things (IoT) network that extends the reach of Long Range Wireless Network (LoRaWAN) sensors to remotely collect and transmit data across Europe.
Both of the above platforms are fairly active and so Ofcom has today proposed to continue to authorise the current licensees, albeit only for a “transitional period“. This, they say, will prevent disruption to current services and ensure the spectrum continues to be used when the current authorisation expires next year.
However, Ofcom still want to introduce greater flexibility for others to access this spectrum during the transitional period, to “enable optimal spectrum use and support innovation“. The key focus here, over the “longer term“, is on opening up the band for a range of D2D services, such as to improve mobile broadband coverage in remote rural areas, IoT connectivity, PMSE services and for Air to Ground inflight connectivity (e.g. inflight Wi-Fi).
We are proposing to enable continued access to 2 GHz MSS spectrum for the incumbent operators: Viasat and EchoStar, for a period of 3 – 5 years, while we continue to consider the most appropriate future use of the band.
To do this, we are proposing to introduce a new licence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 that authorises the existing Complementary Ground Component (CGC) Network operation to continue, currently utilised by Viasat.
We are also proposing to keep the relevant Licence Exemption Regulations in place, with amendments to add the specific frequencies in which each of the satellite operator’s terminals can transmit.
We are seeking stakeholder views on these proposals and are also seeking input on:
• the appropriate approach to fees during the proposed transitional period;
• how to enable others to access this spectrum (where this would not be expected to cause undue interference to existing licensees’ services) to support optimal spectrum use and innovation over the proposed transitional period; and
• our initial thinking around the longer-term authorisation of this band.
Ofcom’s goal above is to take a decision on longer-term access to this band “as soon as we have a better understanding of the uses most likely to deliver the largest benefits“, but they also recognise that this could put them in conflict with the EU’s future strategy (still being decided) and so are taking a flexible approach. Harmonisation of bands is important for regulators, in order to keep services as universal as possible across borders.
The regulator’s plan is thus to consult on these proposals until 18th August 2026, before publishing their decision on “near-term proposals” later in 2026 (i.e. leaving open some flexibility to change their long-term approach if needed).
Earth Station in Motion (ESIM) Terminals
Separately, in order to support satellite connectivity for UK ships and aircraft, Ofcom are today proposing to make more spectrum available for Earth Station in Motion (ESIM) satellite terminals. Such systems are designed to provide high-speed, reliable, and continuous broadband connectivity to users on the move.
Under these proposals, Ofcom plans to make more spectrum available in the Ku and Ka bands for ESIM uplink. “This will enable better connectivity for crew and passengers on ships and planes. Our proposals also include a range of technical conditions to ensure seamless co-existence between users of the band,” said Ofcom.
Ofcom’s Proposal for Earth Station in Motion (ESIM)
To support satellite connectivity services for UK ships and aircraft, we are proposing to make more spectrum available for ESIM uplink, aligned with the ITU Radio Regulations, as follows:
New authorisations for aeronautical ESIMs connecting to:
– GSO satellites in 12.75-13.25 GHz and 27.8185-28.4545 GHz and 28.8265-29.4625 GHz.
– NGSO satellites in 27.5-29.1 GHz and 29.5-30 GHz.New authorisations for maritime ESIMs connecting to:
– GSO satellites in 12.75-13.25 GHz and 27.8185-28.4545 GHz and 28.8265-29.4625 GHz.
– NGSO satellites in 27.8185-28.4545 GHz and 28.8265-29.1 GHz.This proposal builds on existing ESIM authorisations in other parts of the Ku and Ka bands, and would significantly expand the spectrum available for ESIMs.
This spectrum is widely used by a range of services in the UK, including other satellite services and fixed services (with significant fixed link deployments across these parts of Ku and Ka bands). To support co-existence, we are proposing to apply the technical conditions embedded in the ITU framework, based on WRC resolutions 121, 123, 156 and 169.
These WRC resolutions limit ESIM transmit power for aircraft at different altitudes, and stipulate that maritime ESIMs must observe a minimum separation from the shore (70 km in Ka band and 158 km in Ku band), unless there is a local agreement in place. We are proposing to waive these limits on maritime use in a subset of new Ka band frequencies already authorised for land ESIMs.
We are proposing to update our Aircraft radio and Ship radio licences to include all these new frequencies, and to add those frequencies which can be used in the UK to our Earth Station Network (ESN) licence. We also propose to update the relevant Interface Requirements (IR 2077 and IR 2093) to reflect this new use.
Finally, we are separately proposing to update the list of airfield sites which ESN licensees are required to coordinate with before transmitting in those specific locations. This requirement is set out in schedule 4 of the ESN and applies to all frequencies covered by that licence. We propose to update the list to include Heathrow Airport.
Satellite operators from Starlink to Amazon Leo and Viasat, among others, are likely to have an interest in all this. Ofcom intend to consult on the ESIM changes until 11th August 2026 and then, subject to the outcome, they anticipate that new authorisations for ESIMs to use this extra spectrum could be available as soon as by the end of 2026.