Ofcom are implementing changes to licence exemption regulations for short range devices

7 Dec 2020 03:12 PM

Ofcom yesterday proposed to make new licence-exemption regulations to implement policy decisions regarding the use of short range devices (SRDs). The deadline to submit comments is 29 January 2021.

Hot on the heels of their spectrum management strategy Ofcom yesterday published their proposals to make new licence-exemption regulations to implement policy decisions regarding the use of short range devices (SRDs).

Examples of SRDs include smart meters, wifi routers and internet of things (IOT) devices. 

The proposed regulations would make the following changes:

• expand the amount of spectrum available for Wi-Fi in the 6 GHz band and update technical requirements for wifi routers;
• implement the European Commission decision to harmonise the 874 to 876 and 915 to 921 MHz spectrum bands for SRDs.

Ofcom are also consulting on proposals to:

• make changes to the 870 to 874.4 MHz band to make it more usable by data networks; and
• move from a licence-exempt to a licensed approach for higher power wideband transmission – such as for wireless broadband – in the 57 to 71 GHz band.

Click here for the full press release