Optimising usage of spectrum below 15GHz used for defence in the UK

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) is the major public user of spectrum in the UK with access to about 30% of the spectrum below 15GHz. With the introduction of market mechanisms such as Administered Incentive Pricing (AIP) the cost of this spectrum access will change in line with market prices in the future influenced by both civil and military demand for spectrum, which is set to increase [8]. The MOD must therefore find ways of enhancing efficient use of the radio spectrum it uses and shares and technological innovation (e.g. dynamic efficiency) will remain a key factor. How then could technological innovation help public sector spectrum users like the MOD optimise the use of spectrum when both civil and military demand for it is likely to be changing more dynamically? To address this question a consortium led by PA Consulting Group have built a spectrum demand model to assess MOD’s usage of spectrum now and into the future. In light of the spectrum demand model, this paper explains why UK Defence spectrum presents an interesting opportunity for spectrum sharing technologies like Cognitive Radio (CR).