The 'jury is out' on ISB's spectrum cap recommendations

The "jury is out" on whether the Independent Spectrum Broker's (ISB) recently recommended spectrum cap for mobilebroadband would actually work, a leading organisation claims.

Authored by government special advisor Kip Meek, the ISB report advises that any mobile operator wanting to purchase new spectrum should have to sell some of their existing band first.

It is hoped this will free up spectrum sharing between the providers to potentially boost the future provision of mobilebroadband to more remote areas of the UK.

Jacqui Brookes, chief executive of the Federation of Communication Services, accepted that Mr Meek has "had to work hard to develop a compromise", largely because negotiations over opening up the 2G 900 MHz spectrum were "unlikely" to reach an agreement.

However, she expressed concern at the "limited focus on new entrants and the appearance of continuing the dominance of the four incumbents as the sole suppliers of mobile via their access to spectrum".

She added that the "jury is out" in regards to whether the proposals will be achievable as it is the "effective delivery of services that will ensure universal access".

Communications minister Lord Carter will publish his final Digital Britain report next month, with firm recommendations expected for the future of telecoms and the media in the UK.