LONDON�The UK�s Office of Telecommunications will allow spectrum within the 55-68 MHz, 70.5-71.5 MHz and 80-81.5 MHz bands to be used for �Internet of Things� services and machine-to-machine applications.
This decision follows a consultation launched by the regulator in September 2015, on the suitability of using VHF frequencies for IoT services and M2M applications, according torcrwireless.com.�The last segment was previously used for the former NTSC channel 5 in the U.S.�
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The regulator also said �the VHF spectrum is particularly suitable for connectivity services targeting the rural, maritime and energy sectors.� The machine-to-machine connections which support the IoT are currently authorized by Ofcom through business radio spectrum licenses.
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The question still remains as to how this spectrum will be re-used in the States.�There has been talkof re-allocating the spectrum to AM broadcasters so that they can move off of the medium wave band. The Broadcast Incentive Auctionstarts this week (March 29) so perhaps the fate of the former Channel 5/6 spectrum will soon be resolved. �
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