Mobile and Wi-Fi overloaded by 2020, report claims

Real Wireless warns the UK will face a 'spectrum crunch' by 2020

 The UK’s mobile and Wi-Fi networks will unable to cope with demand for data by 2020, a leading wireless consultancy firm has warned.

Real Wireless, who assisted in the auction of the 4G spectrum, warned that unless the UK’s mobile and Wi-Fi networks are upgraded by 2020, they will be unable to cope with increased usage.

This would mean there is not enough “spectrum” or space for mobile devices and computers to operate efficiently, causing problems for the country’s communication networks.

Real Wireless said that the UK will need 300MHz more mobile and 350MHz more Wi-Fi spectrum by 2020 if the network is to cope.

Professor Simon Saunders, the co-founder and technology director of Real Wireless, said: “Although new spectrum provided in the 4G auction has given some breathing space in meeting new demand growth, we will face a renewed spectrum crunch in around 2020 without further action.”
 Earlier this month communications regulator Ofcom announced it has identified a number of new spectrum bands as potential candidates for future mobile broadband, as it looks ahead to the provision of 5G.

This includes spectrum in bands currently owned by the Ministry of Defence – the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz bands – spectrum in the 700 MHz band, used for terrestrial TV, and so-called ‘white spaces’ that sit in the frequency band used for digital terrestrial TV.

The Government is currently considering plans to release up to 100 MHz of spectrum in the 2.7 GHz band, along with additional spectrum in the 3.6 GHz band, which is used for satellite links.

The spectrum identified is equivalent to approximately seven times the amount of spectrum released as part of the 4G auction, Ofcom said.

Ofcom anticipates the introduction of 5G, as well as advancements in mobile technology, could boost mobile data capacity by more than 25 times by 2030.

But Real Wireless today warned the UK could have insufficient mobile and Wi-Fi capacity by 2020.

Professor Saunders added: “The challenge faced by governments and regulators is how best to manage this demand and ensure that consumers and other wireless users continue to see an improvement in their service, while ensuring other critical services still have access to the spectrum they need.”

Source : The Telegraph