http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/bin.../Statement.pdf

Communications regulator Ofcom has today officially made the 2G (mobile voice) radio spectrum frequencies, specifically 900MHz and 1800MHz licences, available for use by 3G / UMTS and related Mobile Broadband services in the UK.
http://www.ispreview.co.uk/story/201...broadband.html

Executive summary
1.1 Ofcom published a Notice proposing to vary the existing 900 MHz and 1800 MHz licences to allow UMTS use on 28 October 2010. Ofcom is required to vary the licences in this way as a result of a direction to Ofcom made by the Secretary of State (the Government Direction).
1.2 The Government Direction was made on 20 December 2010 and came into force on 30 December 2010.
1.3 Ofcom has considered all the responses to its Notice. It has decided to vary the licences in line with its proposal in the Notice subject to some minor changes to the drafting of the licences, which are explained below.

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Competition issues
3.17 Everything Everywhere raised a concern that Ofcom’s advice to the Government in relation to the liberalisation of the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum had not been subject to a public consultation, and did not constitute a proper competition assessment for the purposes of the amended GSM Directive.

3.18 A confidential response was concerned that liberalising spectrum in the hands of the existing licensees will distort competition and that UMTS900 spectrum has an underlying advantage for indoor and rural 3G coverage.
3.19 The Secretary of State has directed Ofcom to vary the licences for 900 MHz and 1800 MHz in the hands of the existing licensees. The Government has received advice from Ofcom in relation to the competition position relating to the variation of licences to use these bands. The Government has explained that it has undertaken the competition assessment in relation to 900 MHz spectrum that is required by the amended GSM Directive.4
Ofcom does not consider that it is required to carry out and consult on a separate competition assessment before varying the 900MHz and 1800MHz licences as required by the Government Direction.