Spectrum Assurance, Compliance and Spectrum Management Centre Technical Equipment

Ofcom Spectrum Assurance has a business need to procure additional microwave link radio measurement equipment in the 2 - 40 GHz band, V band 56 -70 GHz and E band 70 - 86 GHz.

Microwave links are licenced and deployed extensively including Mobile Network Operator's backbone networks in the 2 - 40GHz bands including short range high capacity backhaul microwave links in V & E band.

Backhaul using microwave links in the above bands is also being rolled out on new spectrum releases to support the Ofcom Shared Rural Network initiative and rollout of 5G spectrum in the 700 MHz and 3 GHz bands. The number of microwave link licences is increasing annually with 2,283 new microwave link licensees so far in 2023.

To proactively monitor for unlicensed use and respond to interference cases in the above bands, Ofcom has a requirement to procure further portable ruggedised 2- 40 GHz, V and E Band measurement equipment. There are already four 2-40 GHz, one V band and two E Band SAF kits in the team which have been used extensively and successfully in proactive audit campaigns, identifying unlicenced use in high value licences.

Procurement of additional SAF equipment would further improve Spectrum Assurance operational capability, effectiveness, case throughput and unlicenced use detection. This is currently limited by teams UK wide sharing the current allocation of SAF equipment.