Advancing Spectrum Sharing
Technical R&D • Policy Engagement • Strategic Innovation • Technical R&D • Policy Engagement • Strategic Innovation •
The Centre for Shared Spectrum Innovation (CSSI) is dedicated to promoting and advancing the efficient use of radio spectrum for a wide range of applications and deployment scenarios. It provides technical insights and policy engagement to ensure that wireless communications benefit from a flexible, shared spectrum environment that meets the demands of a modern digital economy.Â
There's no show without spectrum!
UK Spectrum Availability & Access
All radio networks require access to radio spectrum, and this needs to be managed and coordinated in order to prevent interference between networks. In the UK, Ofcom is responsible for managing radio spectrum and ensuring that it is used in the best interests of all in the UK.
Spectrum Management and Frequency Allocation
Radio spectrum has traditionally been managed using essentially one of two approaches:
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Exclusive licensing, in which a spectrum licence is issued for exclusive use by a particular licensee for services such as mobile telephone services, radio and TV broadcasting , emergency services, radar and radio-navigation operations, etc.
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Licence exempt, in which approved devices can operate without a licence, e.g. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Industrial, Scientific & Medical (ISM) applications, etc.
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Recent years have seen a move towards augmenting these with shared access approaches, in which people and businesses can access spectrum which can be used to support a wide range of local wireless connectivity applications. Such shared access approaches facilitate the deployment of private networks which support and drive innovative use cases with connectivity requirements that are different from those that can be supported via public national networks.
Shared Access Licences (SALs)
In 2019, Ofcom introduced Shared Access Licences as part of a new framework for enabling shared use of spectrum. Shared access licences are currently available in the following bands:
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The 1800 MHz shared spectrum band (1781.7-1785 MHz paired with 1876.7-1880 MHz);
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The 2300 MHz shared spectrum band (2320-2340 MHz and 2390-2400 MHz);
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The 3.8-4.2 GHz band;
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The 26 GHz band (24.45-27.5 GHz).
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In December 2025, following a shared access review, Ofcom introduced 'short notice, short duration' licences as part of a new approach to temporary spectrum access in the 2320-2340 MHz band. These licences support a range of temporary, ‘pop-up’ network deployments, shared alongside other spectrum users.
Find out more about Shared Access Licences across the UK via our SAL map.