UK Operators Prepare for 5G mmWave Launches
The UK's three mobile network operators (MNOs) have spent a total of £39 million on licenses for new 5G-friendly millimetre wave (mmWave) spectrum.
UK regulator Ofcom released 5.4GHz of spectrum across the 26GHz and 40GHz bands, with each operator winning 800MHz in the 26GHz band and 1GHz in the 40GHz band, committing to pay £13m each.
VMO2 and Vodafone have already conducted tests, with VMO2 testing 5G SA on mmWave in September 2025, and Vodafone completing tests in 2020.
UK regulator Ofcom released a total of 5.4GHz of spectrum – "the most ever to be made available in an Ofcom auction" – across the 26GHz and 40GHz bands.
- BT-owned EE, VMO2, and Vodafone each won 800MHz of spectrum in the 26GHz band.
- Each operator also won 1GHz of spectrum in the 40GHz band.
- The assignment stage has yet to be completed.
Author's summary: UK operators spent £39m on 5G mmWave licenses.