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U.K. regulator aims to create two additional 80-MHz channels for WiFi to reduce pressure on 2.4-GHz band.
Ofcom has proposed opening up more spectrum in the 5 GHz band for WiFi, a move that would bring the U.K. into line with other markets, including the U.S.
The U.K. telecoms regulator issued a consultation paper proposing the use of two additional 80-MHz channels for WiFi within the 5-GHz band. That would bring the total available in that band to six channels.
"People are placing greater demands on their broadband, so we need to ensure they aren’t let down by their wireless connection," said Ofcom’s group director of spectrum Philip Marnick, in a statement.
"We also want to close the gap between advertised speeds and the wireless performance that people and businesses actually receive. So we’re exploring ways to open up more airwaves for WiFi," he added.
As it stands, the 2.4 GHz band is most commonly used for WiFi in the U.K., specifically 2400 MHz-2483.5 MHz, but 5-GHz WiFi is growing in popularity. The 5-GHz band is significantly less congested than the 2.4 GHz band.
The consultation focuses specifically on the 5725 MHz-5850 MHz sub-band, which is used for WiFi in a number of countries, but not in Europe, Ofcom said.
Opening up those additional 125 MHz of frequencies would, when combined with the existing 5-GHz WiFi spectrum, enable the creation of either two new 80-MHz channels or a single 160-MHz channel, it explained.
The additional channels will "help address consumers’ demand for high data rate applications," Ofcom said. "It will also help avoid congestion."
The regulator confirmed that any move to open up the aforementioned spectrum for WiFi would also include ensuring "the appropriate protection" for other users of the band, including satellite service providers.
It said early results from technical studies suggest that sharing with other users is feasible.
Ofcom added that it is able to open up the 5725 MHz-5850 MHz sub-band without waiting for wider international developments, such as the outcome of the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19).
Interested parties have until 22 July to respond to the consultation.
