Ofcom Must Consider ISPs In Radio Spectrum Review

26th April 2005

Frequencies should be reserved for ISPs

The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA UK) – the UK’s leading Internet trade association - is calling on Ofcom to consider the needs of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in its Spectrum Framework Review, due to report back in July 2005.

The growth in wireless broadband means that many ISPs use the radio spectrum to provide Internet access. ISPA believes that Ofcom should establish a dedicated range of radio frequencies for ISPs to offer broadband services.

Jessica Hendrie-Liaño, Chair of ISPA Council said, “It’s a case of too many cooks at present. If ISPs were reserved specific frequencies for broadband and Internet access, problems of interference would be minimised. The current narrow spectrum is also used by the military and mobile phones. All parties would benefit from a dedicated spectrum of frequencies for ISPs.”

In areas where the local loop hasn’t been unbundled and particularly in rural areas, wireless access to the Internet will be of great importance for users. ISPA member BT estimates that 99.6 per cent of UK homes and businesses will be able to connect to a broadband enabled exchange by June 2005. However this does not accurately reflect the geographical availability of broadband across the UK. With a dedicated range of radio frequencies for ISPs, the geographical areas not served by fixed line broadband can be assured better quality wireless high speed Internet access.

Mrs Hendrie-Liaño concluded, “ISPA wants a ubiquitous Broadband Britain covering 100 per cent of the UK. Internet users desiring broadband will benefit greatly from the allocation of a dedicated range of radio frequencies. High quality wireless services will enable even the most remote user to get broadband, and will offer further choice of services in the Internet market.”

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Notes to editors

The views expressed in this release are those of the Internet Services Providers' Association (ISPA UK) and do not necessarily reflect the corporate policies of the individual companies that are members of the Association or other organisations that may be mentioned in the release. 

For further information, please contact the ISPA Press Office. 
Email: pressoffice@ispa.org.uk Tel: 020 7340 4535
About the Internet Services Providers’ Association

The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA) was established in 1995 as a trade association to represent providers of Internet services in the UK. ISPA promotes competition, self-regulation and the development of the Internet industry. For a list of members or other information about ISPA, please consult the website: www.ispa.org.uk