04 November 2025

Ofcom has announced plans to make part of the 1900MHz spectrum band (1900–1920MHz) available for critical communications in the UK, specifically targeting the rail network and emergency services.

This segment of spectrum, previously unused by mobile operators due to ecosystem and technical limitations, will now be allocated to enhance operational communications and extend coverage for the Emergency Services Network (ESN).

The 1900–1910MHz band will be licensed for the deployment of the Future Rail Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), which will replace legacy systems like GSM-R. Licenses will be geographically restricted to rail infrastructure and require technical coordination among licensees. The licenses will come with a fee of £1,458,000 annually for Great Britain, starting from April 2029, with a simplified licensing process based on applicant capability.

The 1910–1915MHz segment will be used to support ESN gateways, installed on emergency vehicles such as ambulances, to improve connectivity across Great Britain. The license will be limited to ESN providers contracted by the UK government — currently BT/EE — and will align with existing ESN contracts. The annual fee for this license is set at £364,500, with the licensing duration tied to the ESN contract terms. Use in Northern Ireland remains unlicensed at this stage, due to differing communication arrangements.

The 1915–1920MHz band will not be licensed at this time, mainly to avoid interference with the mobile band above 1920MHz and due to uncertain demand.

This spectrum reallocation aims to modernise the UK’s railway communications by supporting the rollout of FRMCS, enabling better train and signalling connectivity, and improving emergency response capabilities through dedicated gateways. Ofcom is also seeking feedback on whether to permit ESN Gateway access in the 1910–1915MHz band before the official license start date in 2029.