CICRA defers 4G spectrum consultation in the islands

James Qualtrough | May 25, 2012 | 0 Comments

The Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA) and the Office of Utility Regulation (OUR) in Guernsey have decided to defer the consultation into the future allocation of radio spectrum to telecommunication operators in the Channel Islands in April 2012.

The consultation was started in the second half of April 2012 to consider the issues in the Channel Islands when awarding the 800MHz and 2.6GHz spectrum. A component of that consultation was the guidance provided by the Jersey and Guernsey States to the regulators at the end of 2011.

The consultation is the first stage in a process which will help inform the regulators on how best the spectrum can be used for the benefit of islanders.

John Curran, Chief Executive of the Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities (CICRA), said the decision to defer the consultation was taken in order to give the new Commerce and Employment Board in Guernsey time to give detailed consideration to the various issues relevant to the use of the available spectrum and the policies that should be followed in its allocation. The Economic Development Department in Jersey has also been consulted on the proposal to defer the consultation.

“The regulators will issue a revised consultation once the Commerce and Employment Board has given the matter its full consideration and established its position,” Mr Curran said.

“We will look to work closely with the department to assist it in its assessment of this issue.”

Mr Curran has requested that those who were planning to respond to the original consultation (to the 6 June deadline) do not do so at this time. A new consultation will commence at the earliest opportunity.