Close Menu
  • News
    • Broadcasting
    • Cable & IPTV
    • Digital Life
    • Terrestrial
    • Satellite
    • Streaming Sites and Apps
  • Cable & IPTV
    • Cable & IPTV News
    • Virgin Media channel list (Cable EPG UK)
    • Sky Stream and Sky Glass channel list (UK EPG)
    • Sky Stream and Sky Glass channel list (Republic of Ireland EPG)
  • Satellite
    • Satellite News
    • Sky satellite channel list (UK EPG)
    • Freesat channel list UK
  • Terrestrial
    • Terrestrial News
    • Freeview channels – England and Wales
    • Freeview channels – Northern Ireland
    • Freeview channels – Scotland
    • Freeview channels – Channel Islands
    • Saorview Channels (Republic of Ireland)
  • Resources
    • Freeview Updates
    • Satellite Updates (Astra 28.2/5E)
    • Watching another BBC nation or region
What's Hot

Concerns over internet TV switch to end Freeview

9 May 2025

Reduction in live cricket on the BBC

2 May 2025

Virgin Media offers free access to TV fitness app

1 May 2025
RXTV
  • News
    • Broadcasting
    • Cable & IPTV
    • Digital Life
    • Terrestrial
    • Satellite
    • Streaming Sites and Apps
  • Cable & IPTV
    • Cable & IPTV News
    • Virgin Media channel list (Cable EPG UK)
    • Sky Stream and Sky Glass channel list (UK EPG)
    • Sky Stream and Sky Glass channel list (Republic of Ireland EPG)
  • Satellite
    • Satellite News
    • Sky satellite channel list (UK EPG)
    • Freesat channel list UK
  • Terrestrial
    • Terrestrial News
    • Freeview channels – England and Wales
    • Freeview channels – Northern Ireland
    • Freeview channels – Scotland
    • Freeview channels – Channel Islands
    • Saorview Channels (Republic of Ireland)
  • Resources
    • Freeview Updates
    • Satellite Updates (Astra 28.2/5E)
    • Watching another BBC nation or region
RXTV
Home»Extra capacity for Mobile or Wi-Fi? Ofcom proposes compromise

Extra capacity for Mobile or Wi-Fi? Ofcom proposes compromise

6 July 2023

Ofcom proposes a compromise that will allow both Wi-Fi and mobile internet users to benefit from additional capacity offered by using frequencies in the 6GHz spectrum.

Representatives from the mobile and Wi-Fi industries are heavily lobbying for the frequency band to be used for their services. The debate is heating up ahead of the World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-23) this November in Dubai, which will result in internationally binding decisions.

Mobile network operators would like the spectrum (frequency range 6425-7125 MHz) to boost mobile data coverage in busy areas, like shopping centres, railway stations and sports arenas. The frequency doesn’t travel far and doesn’t penetrate well, meaning it’s unsuitable for wider UK coverage. However, it could solve network congestion issues at major sporting events or during peak-times at major transport hubs.

Meanwhile, those developing Wi-Fi services say the frequencies would be ideal for home broadband users – it could provide better speeds and provide valuable extra capacity in areas where existing Wi-Fi bands suffer interference from neighbours. More Wi-Fi bandwidth could be a bonus for busy households wanting to stream multiple items in the highest possible quality. And this becomes more relevant as traditional TV platforms prepare to migrate online in the coming decade.

But Ofcom says it believes an alternative approach is possible, by means of a compromise.

The UK’s broadcast and telecoms regulator says it is exploring options that would enable the introduction of both Wi-Fi and licensed mobile use of the band in relatively close proximity, in what it calls “hybrid sharing”.

How would hybrid sharing work?

Hybrid sharing in the upper 6 GHz band has the potential to increase utilisation of the
spectrum by leveraging the particular characteristics of the frequencies and the different
patterns of use of licensed mobile and Wi-Fi, for example:

  • Indoor outdoor split. Wi-Fi access points tend to be deployed indoors – carrying
    localised indoor traffic tethered to a fixed broadband service, whereas mobile base
    stations are predominantly located outdoors – providing wider area coverage
    (including indoor connectivity). Therefore, we want to explore the possibility of enabling the indoor use of Wi-Fi (or other low power licence exempt technologies such
    as 5G NR-U) whilst also enabling licensed mobile use outdoors.
  • Geographical sharing. The bulk of data traffic in mobile networks tends to be
    concentrated in a relatively small proportion of sites. It might be possible to enable
    licensed mobile use in specific high-traffic locations whilst allowing Wi-Fi use
    elsewhere. It might also be possible to prioritise Wi-Fi use in specific areas of high
    demand whilst allowing mobile use in other areas.

At present, the band is used for other valuable services, including Fixed Links, Fixed Satellite Services, Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE), space science uses such as Earth Exploration Satellite Services (EESS) and Radio Astronomy, and Short-Range Devices. Therefore, Ofcom also wants to understand the coexistence challenges that the introduction of hybrid sharing may have for existing users and how they may be solved.

Therefore it has launched an industry consultation so it can formulate a plan of action and adopt a position when Ofcom representatives attend the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) later this year.


Marc Thornham

Share this!
Previous ArticleChannel 4 to remain free-to-air home of F1 in new Sky deal
Next Article Ideal World goes into administration
Latest

Concerns over internet TV switch to end Freeview

Reduction in live cricket on the BBC

Virgin Media offers free access to TV fitness app

EE and Virgin Media remain ‘worst’ pay TV providers

NHK World-Japan drops off Virgin Media

RESOURCES
  • See the latest Freeview channel updates…
  • Get manual tuning information for satellite…
  • Find channels and their channel numbers…
  • View satellite service/frequency changes…
Freeview changes

23rd April 2025

New on Freeview

  • 287: Nolly Africa streaming channel [COM4/SDN]

Multiplex change

You may need to retune to reinstate this channel in your channel list.

  • 264: Alaraby Network moves from COM4/SDN to Comux/Local. (reduced UK coverage; some viewers may no longer be able to access this channel)

See more Freeview changes…

© 2025 RXTVinfo.com
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • About RXTV/Contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.