Telecoms | UK Regulatory Outlook March 2025

Updates to spectrum auction guidance

On 20 March 2025, Ofcom revised its process guidance for the upcoming spectrum auction to enhance efficiency and clarity. Key changes include:

• Earlier deadlines: Withdrawal deadlines, bidder pack distribution, and additional deposit submissions have been moved to earlier dates.
• Auction regulations: Updated timeline for the issuance of auction regulations.
• Assignment stage duration: Specified the duration for each assignment stage round.

These updates aim to streamline the auction process and provide clearer timelines and resources for participants. Stakeholders should review the revised guidance in preparation for the auction later this year.

Consultation launched on future authorisation of the 1900–1920 MHz band

On 10 March 2025, Ofcom unveiled its proposal to make the 1900-1920 MHz band available to the UK's rail network and the emergency services. These proposed changes aim to enhance the efficiency of spectrum use for essential services, ensuring robust communications infrastructure and include:

Authorising 1900-1910 MHz for rail. The FRMCS licences would be limited to the provision of operational rail communications and:

• Contain technical conditions suitable for the deployment of FRMCS.
• Require technical coordination with other overlapping or neighbouring FRMCS licensees
• Be issued via a simple process.

1910-1915 MHz for emergency services. The licence would be restricted to the provision of ESN gateways and:

• Have a fixed duration, aligned with the contract to supply ESN gateways.
• Permit use throughout Great Britain.
• Contain technical conditions aligned with the ESN.

Spectrum fees:

• Annual fees: £145,800 per MHz for Great Britain, £4,200 per MHz for Northern Ireland (1900-1910 MHz).
• Reduced fees for 1910-1915 MHz due to power limitations.
• Fees effective from April 2029.

There are currently no plans to authorise use in 1915-1920 MHz band due to power constraints and uncertain demand.

The consultation period will close on 19 May 2025, and Ofcom invites stakeholders to submit their feedback.

Ofcom shares proposals for promoting competition and investment in fibre networks

On 20 March, Ofcom Ofcom published its proposals for regulating the fixed telecoms market for the period between April 2026 and March 2031. Its intention is to promote competition and investment in high quality gigabit-capable networks.

Following the conclusion of the Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review in 2021, telecoms companies have made substantial progress in expanding gigabit-capable networks throughout the UK. In addition, the growth of competing networks has also significantly increased the number of premises with multiple network options.

Despite these achievements, additional investment is necessary to ensure high-quality services are available across all regions of the UK. Consequently, Ofcom has stated that it is committed to promoting ongoing network competition where it is sustainable and advantageous for consumers.

The proposed remedies for the significant market power that has been identified are largely consistent with those from the previous review, with updates where recent or expected market developments have indicated that changes are necessary to maintain regulatory stability and support investment and network competition.

Responses to the consultation must be provided by 5pm on 12 June 2025.