§ Mr. TimmsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will encourage cable operators to offer wireless as well as wired telecommunications services. [13114]
§ Mrs. RocheThe Broadcasting Act 1990 includes statutory provision for the use of wireless transmission by cable operators, and the licenses now being issued to franchise holders by the Independent Television Commission and my Department both allow this. The Government has allocated the 40.5–42.5 Ghz band for this purpose.
The Government has allocated spectrum within the 2,3,4 and 10 Ghz bands to other wireless telecommunication operators. The ability to deliver broadband services to premises also has considerable potential for improving communications, particularly in rural areas, and the Government is considering the best way forward in further encouraging such networks, including the use of wireless.