Ofcom has proposed adding 160 MHz (two 80-MHz channels) for Wi-Fi. Those blocks of spectrum already being used in the U.S. market. Since 2014, Ofcom has been working to increase the amount of mobile and Wi-Fi spectrum available for use.
Additional bandwidth in the 5 GHz range has been a key concern, in addition to enabling spectrum sharing.
As in the United States, Ofcom’s rules will be designed to limit interference between satellite users and Wi-Fi users.
The Federal Communications Commission has taken steps to meet the growing demand for additional unlicensed spectrum by adding 100 megahertz of spectrum for Wi-Fi in the lower 5-GHz band, while seeking to add some unlicensed spectrum opportunities in the 600 MHz band as part of our upcoming incentive auction.
Additional spectrum made available on a shared basis include the 75 megahertz of spectrum located at 5850 to 5925 MHz (also known as the U-NII-4 band) originally allocated by the Commission in 1999 for Dedicated Short Range Communications Service (DSRC) systems intended to improve roadway safety.
DSRC was intended to enable short range, wireless links to transfer information between vehicles and roadside systems. At the time of allocation, DRSC was expected to be used for a variety of purposes, including “traffic light control, traffic monitoring, travelers’ alerts, automatic toll collection, traffic congestion detection, emergency vehicle signal preemption of traffic lights, and electronic inspection of moving trucks through data transmissions with roadside inspection facilities.”
As you might guess, with growing interest in automated vehicles, there are rival interests contending for use of that spectrum.
