Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Radio spectrum definition

What does Radio spectrum mean? In legal practice, radio spectrum describes the range of electromagnetic frequencies used for wireless communications (including radio and TV broadcasting, mobile networks, Wi‑Fi, satellite, aeronautical and maritime), which regulators allocate, authorise and police to prevent harmful interference. It is a descriptive expression used across regulatory and contractual work; UK and Irish statutes govern its management (for example, the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 and Communications Act 2003 in the UK, and the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and Wireless Telegraphy Acts in Ireland) but do not fix a single statutory definition. Technically, the spectrum spans from roughly a few kilohertz up to the...

Ofcom’s Legal Framework for Radio Spectrum in the UK and Crown Dependencies: Duties, Licensing and Auctions, Trading and Sharing, Revocation, Recognised Spectrum Access, Enforcement, and Technical Requirements

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Practice notes

Use of the Radio spectrum in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man is overseen by Ofcom under the Communications Act 2003 (CA 2003) and the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (WTA 2006). This Practice Note sets out Ofcom’s roles and obligations in Spectrum regulation, together with spectrum licensing and enforcement.

Ofcom’s functions and duties

In exercising its functions, Ofcom’s primary duty is to further the interests of citizens on communications matters and to further the interests of consumers in relevant markets, where appropriate by promoting competition.

The electromagnetic spectrum is the span of wavelengths or frequencies across which electromagnetic radiation extends. Among other things, that duty therefore requires Ofcom to secure the optimal use of the electromagnetic spectrum for wireless telegraphy.

When performing its tasks, Ofcom must, in all cases, have regard to the principles of transparency, accountability, proportionality and consistency, and target regulation only at situations where action is needed. It must also have regard to other principles representing best regulatory practice, as well as various policy considerations, in so far as they appear to Ofcom to be relevant in the circumstances. These include taking account of the different needs and interests...

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Francesco Liberatore

Squire Patton Boggs

Francesco regularly represents clients in investigations before regulatory and competition authorities, as well as managing internal investigations, dawn raids and counseling on compliance issues and various commercial agreements. Francesco handles merger control due diligence and filings, as well as coordinating multijurisdictional merger control strategies. He also advises private equity investors, banks and other financial investors on arbitrage opportunities. Francesco’s litigation experience includes representing clients in matters before the Competition Appeal Tribunal, the High Court of Justice and the European Courts. Francesco is dual qualified in England/Wales and Italy. He has authored several legal publications, including the "International Telecommunications Law Handbook" (Juris Publishing) and the "EU Electronic Communications Code Handbook" (Bloomsbury Professional). Francesco is recommended as a leading practitioner in Chambers & Partners, The Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal. Clients describe him as “thoroughly efficient and helpful throughout”, “a true master of...

James Konidaris

Special Counsel, Squire Patton Boggs

James Konidaris has extensive legal and regulatory experience in communications and technology, spanning Australia, the UK, Europe and the Middle East. James advises on a broad range of regulatory, policy and commercial matters, including international and multijurisdictional advice and transactions, advising global companies in the IT, communications, financial services and automotive sectors, as well as regulatory authorities and not-for-profit organisations. He works closely with communications regulatory authorities on major projects to draft laws, regulations and other regulatory instruments. In addition, James advises various private equity, private lending and real estate investment firms, as well as various technology and manufacturing companies on Australia’s foreign investment regulatory framework, ensuring a seamless entry to the Australian market. James is Co-Vice President of the Australian Chapter of the International Institute of Communications. He is also co-author of the EU Electronic Communications Code Handbook (Bloomsbury...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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