Ofcom outlines London 2012 spectrum plan

Ofcom has outlined plans for managing the airwaves during the London 2012 Olympic Games to cope with the expected media influx.

During the seven-week sporting event in the capital, thousands of wireless applications will be used to provide broadcast TV and media coverage to a global audience of around five billion.

The regulator therefore stressed the "unique logistical challenge" that this presents to the UK's communications infrastructure and radio spectrum.

"Consumers and businesses are using wireless technologies more than ever," said Ofcom chief operating officer Jill Ainscough.

"In the UK, spectrum-related businesses account for one thirtieth of GDP [gross domestic product] and spectrum use is growing fast."

In line with government assurances given to the International Olympic Committee, Ofcom intends to ensure that spectrum is made available to organisations from around 150 countries without negatively impacting on UK users.

To achieve this aim, the regulator will borrow spectrum on a short-term basis from public sector organisations, such as government departments, and further maximise the efficiency of civil spectrum.

It will also make greater use of spare spectrum freed up from the digital switchover and utilise any licence exempt spectrum.

"For the London 2012 Games, demand for spectrum is likely to be at an all-time high," Ainscough added.

"Add to this the fact that spectrum is already heavily used in London and you begin to appreciate that managing the airwaves is a complex task. This plan provides an important blueprint for how this will be achieved."