The UK’s FCC equivalent, Ofcom, is planning to loan out the 2.6 GHz spectrum, currently reserved for 4G mobile broadband, for use before, during, and after the Olympic games in 2012, allowing television broadcasters access to wireless infrastructure for camera equipment from July 27 to September 9, 2012.
The use of the 2.6 GHz spectrum by TV broadcasters would be free of charge as it was part of the bid that the International Olympics Committee had demanded. According to Ofcom, delays in the wireless spectrum auction to late 2011 would mean that UK mobile operators would not have enough time to make use of the spectrum to launch their 4G LTE networks by the time that the Olympic games start in 2012. The regulatory department is still seeking carrier approval and expects all carriers to concede the spectrum use to broadcasters for the games.
Ofcom had initially submitted its spectrum plans for the Olympic bid in 2009, but since the Vancouver Winter Games had made use of more wireless cameras and 3D broadcasting will increase demand for spectrum, the latest revision is calling for the loan of mobile broadband spectrum for the Olympic games for broadcast use in 2012.
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