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ABC adds weight to Open Spectrum UK

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Open Spectrum UK is an ad hoc coalition of non-profit organisations engaged in community wireless networking and the promotion of licence-free access to the public airwaves. Open Spectrum UK is making a coalition submission to Ofcom’s Spectrum Framework Review.

Ofcom introduced this review as follows:

"One of Ofcom's key statutory duties is to ensure the optimal use of the radio spectrum under its management. Radio spectrum is a major asset to the UK, contributing some £24bn to the economy each year and underlying many aspects of our lives . . .

Ofcom has been considering carefully its management of this vital resource and is now publishing this 'Spectrum Framework Review', a key document setting out its plans for radio spectrum in the medium and long term."

John Wilson, a member of ABC's executive and one of the coordinating authors of the submission, said:

"We believe this is a ground-breaking response to a consultation from not-for-profit organisations. While this might appear to be quite a technical consultation, it actually has a fundamental impact on how we all use wireless devices - indeed upon the very right of access to radio spectrum. It is encouraging that Ofcom affirms licence-exempt access as one of the three rights of access to radio spectrum."

He continues: "Yet our basic conclusion is that 'more work needs to be done'- to engage a complex set of engineering issues and to move beyond muddled thinking upon licence-exempt access in order to realise the technological potentials for the sharing of radio spectrum.

We need a new paradigm in spectrum management policy. Our key Recommendation is that 'Ofcom should establish a Wireless Regulation Forum to act as a channel of communication with all stakeholders, not just license holders'. Open Spectrum UK looks forward to further dialogue with regulators."

Responses to the Spectrum Framework Review consultation can be found on the Ofcom website here: www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/sfr/?a=87101

Submissions to the consultation closed on Tuesday 15th February.

Signatories to the Open Spectrum UK Spectrum Framework Review submission are :

Access to Broadband Campaign (ABC)
Alston Cybermoor
Arwain.net
Boundless
Community Broadband Network (CBN)
GreenNet Ltd
Informal.org
Open Spectrum International
The Foundation for Information Policy Research
Wireless London