Ofcom, the UK regulator, has confirmed plans for the UK's single largest release of radio spectrum to date, suitable for a range of new services such as mobile broadband and advanced wireless services delivered using WiMAX and 3G technology.
In a statement, Ofcom said it will release the spectrum in the 2010-2025 MHz and 2500-2690 MHz bands (known as 2.6 GHz) on a technology and service neutral basis.
This will allow organisations to decide how best to use the spectrum within certain minimum technical specifications to prevent harmful interference, the regulator said
In total, 205MHz will be available and Ofcom expects to start the auction process in the summer.
There are a number of potential uses of the 2.6 GHz spectrum including mobile broadband wireless services.
These can offer high-speed, high-capacity mobile data connections enabling the delivery of advanced mobile services using technologies such as WiMAX or evolutions of 3G technology.
The auction has been designed to offer the maximum flexibility in the way that the bands can be used and all winners will be able to trade their licences, the regulator said.