Radio Frequencies: Licensing

Mr. Havard
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Government’s policy on (a) the proposal by the EC Radio Spectrum Committee to allow the refarming of 2G spectrum for 3G use and (b) how to address historic spectrum allocations in implementing such a policy in the UK.

Margaret Hodge
The matter is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive’s letter will be placed in the Libraries of the Houses.