§ Lord Lucasasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 25 November (WA 22), who are the current and prospective users of the 2 GHz band; what they use it for; and what are the recent changes that he referred to [HL305]
31WA
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)The radio spectrum referred to as the 2 GHz band is at 2025–2110 MHz and 2200–2290 MHz. (It is not the whole of the spectrum between 2 and 3 GHz where there are a great many current and prospective users, including prospective cellular systems, existing fixed links, satellite services, programme making and special events users, industrial, scientific and medical use, low power applications, government and de-regulated use).
The current users of the spectrum at 2025–2110 MHz and 2290–2025 MHz are space operations (Civil) and space operations (military). This spectrum is globally harmonised for space operations services. In Europe, this includes data links to satellite and telecommand. The UK has military use of NATO satellite services from specific sites. This application is of paramount importance to the UK and the international regulatory basis for managing spectrum is such that we can only protect this application under the provisions that apply to this spectrum. In this respect it is unique and is the only spectrum of its kind that is suited to this type of space operation.
Other services can operate in this band within limits imposed by international regulations. There is also one regional rural fixed wireless access licensee (Zipcom) which has held a licence since 1996 but has not rolled-out sevices. Indeed, as a consequence of Zipcom's failure to meet its roll-out obligations, it has been asked to surrender its licence.
Prospective users of the band are MoD tactical radio links, additional military space operations and programme making and special events.
The recent changes I referred to are consequential to requirements of the military for space operations and tactical radio links as part of our long-term commitment to NATO. It will not be possible for commercial public fixed wireless access services to co-exist with these operations, which would cause serious and repeated interruption through the UK.
§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they believe there are any lessons to be learned from the Broadband Wales programme for the promotion and take-up of broadband in England. [HL435]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleThe UK Broadband Task Force, launched in November, aims to find best practice initiatives and disseminate information on these across the whole of the UK. The task force regional co-ordinator based at the National Assembly for Wales will therefore be in a position to take into consideration the progress of the Broadband Wales programme and subsequently identify where its successes can be appropriately applied to the rest of the country, including England.