See Full Document Text
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
2025 No. 1053
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
The Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges for the
2100 MHz Frequency Band) Regulations 2025
Made - - - - 29th September 2025
Coming into force - - 28th October 2025
The Office of Communications (“OFCOM”) make the following Regulations, in exercise of the
powers conferred by sections 12(1), 13(2) and 122(7) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006(2) (the
“Act”).
Before making these Regulations, OFCOM gave notice of their proposal to do so in accordance with
section 122(4)(a) of the Act, published notice of their proposal in accordance with section 122(4)(b)
of the Act, and have considered the representations made to them before the time specified in the
notice in accordance with section 122(4)(c) of the Act.
Citation, commencement, and extent
1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges for the
2100 MHz Frequency Band) Regulations 2025.
(2) These Regulations come into force on 28th October 2025.
(3) These Regulations do not extend to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
Interpretation
2. In these Regulations—
“licence” means a wireless telegraphy licence of the Spectrum Access 2100 MHz class;
“licensee” means—
(a) where one person is the holder of a relevant licence, that person or
(b) where two or more persons hold a relevant licence concurrently, those persons;
“MHz” means megahertz;
(1) Words in section 12(5) was inserted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), sections 38(2) and 47(1). Section 12(6)
to (9) inserted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), sections 38(3) and 47(1).
(2) 2006 c. 36.Document Generated: 2025-10-28
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
“relevant licence” means a licence authorising use of national channels within the 2100 MHz
paired frequency band;
“2100 MHz paired frequency band” means frequencies from 1920.0 MHz to 1979.7 MHz and
2110.3 to 2169.7 MHz.
Licence charges payable for the 2100 MHz paired frequency band
3.—(1) On 31st October 2026, and on each anniversary of that date, the holder of a licence
authorising the use of frequencies in the 2100 MHz paired frequency band shall pay to OFCOM the
total sum specified in paragraph (2).
(2) The total sum to be paid in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be determined having regard
to the following formula—
Where—
“S” means the total sum;
“N” means the total number of kilohertz within the 2100 MHz paired frequency band (the use
of which is authorised, under a licence, across the United Kingdom);
“CPI” means the number given in respect of that month in that monthly all items consumer
prices index published by the Office of National Statistics;
“CPI” means the most recent CPI value that was available on 30th September prior to the
t
month in which charges are due;
“CPI ” means the CPI value for September 2024.
0
3.—(3) If the total sum calculated in accordance with paragraph (2) is a fraction of a whole
number, it shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number.
Payments by instalments
4.—(1) This regulation applies in respect of a licence where OFCOM receive notice from that
licensee of their intention to make payment in twelve monthly instalments of the total sum prescribed
by regulation 3.
(2) Where this regulation applies in respect of a licensee, the licensee—
(a) shall not be required to make payment of the total sum prescribed by regulation 3 at the
prescribed time other than in accordance with this paragraph; and instead
(b) shall make payment of the sum in twelve instalments with the first instalment to be paid
to OFCOM on the same day as the total sum was due to be paid and each subsequent
instalment to be paid on the same day in each of the following eleven months, or in a
month in which there is no such day, the last day of the month.
(3) The first eleven instalments will equate to one-twelfth of the total sum prescribed in
regulation 3 rounded down to the nearest pound, with the twelfth instalment being the remainder
of the total sum prescribed.
(4) Where at any time the licensee fails to make payment in accordance with paragraph (2)(b), all
of the outstanding instalment payments, if any, including any payments that the licensee has failed
to make, shall become immediately due for payment.
2Document Generated: 2025-10-28
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
One-off licence charges payable for the 2100 MHz paired frequency band
5.—(1) On 4th January 2026, the holder of a licence authorising the use of frequencies in the
2100 MHz paired frequency band shall pay to OFCOM £622 per kilohertz.
(2) Where OFCOM receive notice from the licensee of the licensee’s intention to make payment
in ten instalments, the licensee—
(a) shall not be required to make payment of the total sum prescribed by regulation 5(1) at the
prescribed time other than in accordance with this paragraph; and instead
(b) shall make payment of the sum in ten equal instalment payments paid to OFCOM no
later than the following dates; 31st January 2026, 28th February 2026, 31st March 2026,
30th April 2026, 31st May 2026, 30th June 2026, 31st July 2026, 31st August 2026, 30th
September 2026 and 31st October 2026.
(3) Where at any time the licensee fails to make payment in accordance with paragraph (2)(b), all
of the outstanding instalment payments, if any, including any payments that the licensee has failed
to make, shall become immediately due for payment.
Revocation and transition provision
6.—(1) The Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges for the 2100 MHz Frequency Band)
Regulations 2021(3) are revoked.
(2) Where, immediately before the coming into force of these Regulations any sums payable to
OFCOM by virtue of a relevant provision are outstanding, those sums are to be treated on and after
the coming into force of these Regulations as—
(a) outstanding so far as they remain unpaid, and
(b) recoverable on the same basis as if they were payable under provision made by these
Regulations.
(3) “Relevant provision” means regulation 3 of the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges for
the 2100 MHz Frequency Band) Regulations 2021.
David Willis
Director of Spectrum Group
For and by the authority of the Office of
29th September 2025 Communications
(3) S.I. 2021/1412.
3Document Generated: 2025-10-28
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations set the level of charges payable to the Office of Communications (“OFCOM”)
in respect of the Spectrum access 2100 MHz paired licence class, for wireless telegraphy licences
granted under section 8 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 which authorise the use of the
frequencies 1920 to 1979.7 megahertz and 2110.3 to 2169.7 megahertz.
Regulation 3 prescribes the licence charges payable for the 2100 MHz paired frequency band from
31st October 2026.
Regulation 4 allows the holders of the Spectrum Access 2100 MHz paired licence classes to pay the
licence charges due under Regulation 3 by twelve monthly instalments.
Regulation 5 prescribes the one-off licence charges payable for the 2100 MHz paired frequency band
from 4th January 2026, such charges equate to an amount of £622 per kilohertz and prescribes the
payment schedule for the payment of the one-off licence charges payable for the 2100 MHz paired
frequency band.
Regulation 6 revokes the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges for the 2100 MHz Frequency Band)
Regulations 2021 and prescribes that any outstanding payments under the Wireless Telegraphy
(Licence Chares for the 2100 MHz Frequency Band) Regulations 2021 are still payable and
recoverable on the same basis as if they were payable under provision made by these Regulations.
An impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs to business under the
Better Regulation Framework has not been prepared as these Regulations are in connection with
a tax, duty, levy or other charge. However, in accordance with section 7 of the Communications
Act 2003, Ofcom carried out and published an assessment of the likely impact of implementing
these Regulations in its public consultation (available at: www.ofcom.org.uk). An updated impact
assessment was also included in their final policy statement (also available at: www.ofcom.org.uk).
4