Ofcom has announced that it wants to remove the barriers to innovation posed by unnecessary wireless regulation so that users can take advantage of a greater range of devices to exchange data.
Following the publication of its Licence-Exemption Framework Review (LEFR), the watchdog has launched a consultation process, which will run until June 21, to seek opinion on its proposals and plans to publish the final documents next year.
Ofcom's aim is to enable more extensive use of licence-exempt radio spectrum and open up high-frequency bands for new applications, opening up the list of licence-free devices beyond wireless headsets and identity cards to include potential data transfer devices such as digital cameras and personal stereos.
In addition to considering how to increase the breadth of devices that don't need a licence, the regulator is also seeking consultation on a number of other specific proposals.
These include the removal of licence requirements for higher frequency bands - particularly those above 100 GHz that remain largely unused - and making current regulation regarding spectrum sharing and capacity more flexible so that more licence-exempt users can use existing applications and create new ones.
"There has been a considerable proliferation in the licence-exempt use of the radio spectrum in recent years, ranging from communications applications via personal and local area networks to radio frequency identity tags and remote locking systems. The pace of growth in this sector looks set to continue with the emergence of many new technologies for applications such as ultra-high-speed personal area networks, home automation and short-range anti-collision radar," Ofcom said in a document relating to the LEFR.
