Telecomms regulator Ofcom says recent growth in the use of wireless cameras in sports coverage has led to it taking another look at its plans for the 2.6GHz radio spectrum. It had originally left the 2500-2690MHz band out of its plans for the London 2012 Games (which take place from 27th July to 9th September 2012) because it had thought this band would be used for mobile data by then.
These frequencies are now unlikely to be available nationally for LTE or WiMAX mobile data until late 2012 because airport radar uses the nearby 2.7GHz band, which will require upgrading before 2.6GHz mobile data can be rolled out across the UK. As a result, Ofcom says it wants to license the 2.6GHz band for wireless camera use during the Olympic & Paralympic games.
The regulator will make a final decision after a four-week consultation, which ends on 17th September 2010.
[Ofcom statement]