The UK telecoms regulator (Ofcom) has published details of its decision to permit a power limit increase for the five existing 3G licences in order to provide headroom for likely developments in 3G base station technology. The increase from the current level of 62 dBm e.i.r.p. per carrier to 65 dBm e.i.r.p. per carrier would only apply to the base transmit power in the Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) portion of the 3G spectrum. The move has the potential to improve voice capacity, data throughput and in-building signal availability by making more effective use of currently available base station technology.

1.1 This statement sets out Ofcom's decision to permit an increase of the maximum in-band power limit for the five existing 3G licences and, consequently, future 2 GHz MSS/CGC licences to 65 dBm e.i.r.p. per carrier. This increase would only apply to the base transmit power in the Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) portion of the 3G spectrum.
1.2 We consider that this has the potential to provide benefits for customers through improved voice capacity, data throughput and in-building signal availability by making more effective use of currently available base station technology. We believe that in practice this will have no adverse effect on the operation of services in adjacent spectrum bands.

1.3 Our consultation was triggered by a variation request from Vodafone Ltd (subsequently supported by the four other 3G network operators Telefónica O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Three) to increase the maximum in-band power from the current level of 62 dBm e.i.r.p. per carrier to 65 dBm e.i.r.p. per carrier. We proposed an increase to 68 dBm e.i.r.p. per carrier in order to provide headroom for likely developments in 3G base station technology and noting that in other countries there is no specific e.i.r.p. per cell carrier. However, responses received did not support the higher level and we have therefore decided to limit the increase to 65 dBm e.i.r.p. per carrier.

1.4 The consultation also drew a number of responses from individuals and groups concerned about the potential impact of base station transmissions on health and the environment. In its the response, the Health Protection Agency noted that the levels of emissions measured in the vicinity of base stations are generally several orders of magnitude below the level set and recognised internationally as a safe limit for human exposure and the increase in permitted maximum power by 3 dB (a doubling) will not significantly change that position.

Matters covered in this document

1.5 This document is structured as follows:

• Section 2 summarises the main features of the 3G licences, the proposed variation request and our assessment of the responses to the consultation;
• Section 3 considers the major issues that different parties raised in responses to the consultation. In relation to each issue we summarise the responses and set out our analysis and conclusion;
• Section 4 sets out our decision on the proposed variation.

Application for a variation to 3G licences (and consequent proposal to vary draft 2GHz MSS/CGC Base station licences) - Statement