The Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges for the 2100 MHz Frequency Band) Regulations 2025
The Office of Communications (OFCOM) enacted these Regulations under the authority of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 to establish the specific licence charges payable for utilizing the 2100 MHz paired frequency band.
The regulations detail an initial one-off charge payable in January 2026, set at £622 per kilohertz, and prescribe an annual charge formula effective from October 2026, which adjusts based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation relative to September 2024.
They also offer licensees the option to pay the annual charges in twelve monthly instalments, revoke obsolete 2021 regulations, and ensure continuity for recovering outstanding debts under the old framework.
Arguments For
Establishes a clear, indexed, and transparent structure for calculating annual licence fees based on spectrum usage (kHz) and inflation (CPI).
Provides necessary regulatory framework renewal and updates for the efficient management of the 2100 MHz radio spectrum.
Offers licensees flexibility by allowing the payment of substantial annual fees in twelve monthly instalments, improving cash flow management for operators.
Ensures financial recovery for spectrum access by converting outstanding liabilities from previous regulations onto the new legal basis.
Arguments Against
The introduction of a significant one-off charge in January 2026 creates an immediate, unindexed financial burden on existing licensees.
The instalment plan for annual fees (Regulation 4) introduces complexity in payment reconciliation, with the final installment absorbing rounding differences from the first eleven payments.
The regulations apply only to Great Britain (excluding Channel Islands and Isle of Man), potentially creating jurisdictional inconsistencies for UK-wide operators.
Since these regulations concern spectrum charges, they function essentially as a tax or levy, bypassing standard comprehensive business impact assessments.
OFCOM created these Regulations by using the specific powers granted under sections 12, 13(2), and 122(7) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, which is referred to as 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.
Before formalizing these rules, OFCOM publicly announced their intention to create them as required by law.
They subsequently published this proposal and reviewed any public feedback received by the stated deadline, following the procedures set out in section 122(4) of the Act.
Citation, commencement, and extent 1.
This section covers the official title of the legislation, when it officially starts, and the geographical areas to which it applies.
(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges for the 2100 MHz Frequency Band) Regulations 2025.
The official short title for this set of rules is the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges for the 2100 MHz Frequency Band) Regulations 2025.
(2) These Regulations come into force on 28th October 2025.
The regulations officially become legally binding on October 28th, 2025.
(3) These Regulations do not extend to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
The scope of these regulations is restricted to Great Britain; they do not apply to the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Interpretation 2.
This section defines key terms used throughout the remainder of the regulatory document.
In these Regulations—
“licence” means a wireless telegraphy licence of the Spectrum Access 2100 MHz class;
The term 'licence' specifically refers to a wireless telegraphy licence falling under the classification known as Spectrum Access 2100 MHz.
“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;
A 'licensee' is defined as the individual holder if only one person holds the relevant licence.
If multiple individuals or entities jointly hold the licence at the same time, all of them together constitute the licensee for the purpose of these regulations.
“MHz” means megahertz;
The abbreviation 'MHz' stands for megahertz, a unit used for measuring frequency.
“relevant licence” means a licence authorising use of national channels within the 2100 MHz paired frequency band;
A 'relevant licence' is any licence that allows the use of spectrum channels within the designated 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.
The '2100 MHz paired frequency band' is defined precisely as the blocks of frequencies between 1920.0 MHz and 1979.7 MHz, and between 2110.3 MHz and 2169.7 MHz.
Licence charges payable for the 2100 MHz paired frequency band 3.
This section sets out the specific fees that must be paid by licence holders for operating within the 2100 MHz paired frequency band.
(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).
Licensees using the 2100 MHz paired frequency band must pay the total amount calculated under paragraph (2) to OFCOM annually, starting on October 31st, 2026, and on every anniversary thereafter.
(2) The total sum to be paid in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be determined having regard to the following formula—
(Formula Section detailing S = (£722 × N × [CPIt ÷ CPI0]))
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 for National Statistics;
“CPIt” means the most recent CPI value that was available on 30th September prior to the month in which charges are due;
“CPI0” means the CPI value for September 2024.
The total annual charge (S) is calculated using a formula: £722 multiplied by the total spectrum (N) licensed in kilohertz, further multiplied by an adjustment factor for inflation.
This factor compares the Consumer Price Index (CPI) value from the preceding September (CPI_t) against the baseline CPI value from September 2024 (CPI_0).
(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.
If the calculated annual charge results in a fraction of a pound, the regulator must round the final sum down so that only the whole pound amount is payable.
Payments by instalments 4.
This section governs the conditions under which licence fees mentioned in Regulation 3 can be paid in twelve separate monthly amounts instead of a single annual payment.
(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.
This provision for paying in monthly instalments only applies if the licensee formally notifies OFCOM of their intent to use this twelve-month payment schedule for the total annual sum due under 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.
When instalment payments are chosen, the licensee is excused from the single due date for the full amount.
Instead, they must pay the first instalment on that original due date, followed by eleven equal subsequent instalments on the same day of each following month, or on the final day of the month if that specific day number does not exist (e.g., the 30th in February).
(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.
The first eleven monthly payments are calculated by dividing the total prescribed sum by twelve and rounding the result down to the nearest whole pound.
The twelfth and final instalment covers the remaining balance of the true total sum.
(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.
If the licensee misses any scheduled monthly instalment payment, the entire remaining balance of the outstanding fee, including the missed payment, immediately becomes payable in full.
One-off licence charges payable for the 2100 MHz paired frequency band 5.
This section establishes a singular, non-annual charge that must be paid by licensees for access to the 2100 MHz paired frequency band.
(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.
Licensees must pay OFCOM a one-time charge of £622 for every licensed kilohertz of spectrum in the 2100 MHz paired band on January 4th, 2026.
(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.
If the licensee informs OFCOM they wish to pay the one-off charge in ten equal instalments, they receive an extension from the January 4th deadline. They must then pay ten equal amounts by the specified monthly dates ending on October 31st, 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.
Similar to the annual fee structure, if a licensee misses any of the ten defined instalment payments for the one-off charge, the entire remaining balance becomes immediately payable.
Revocation and transition provision 6.
This final section details which previous legislation it replaces and how existing financial obligations from the revoked rules transfer to this new framework.
(1) The Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges for the 2100 MHz Frequency Band) Regulations 20213 are revoked.
The previous legislation governing these specific licence charges, the 2021 Regulations, are formally cancelled by these new 2025 Regulations.
(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.
Any amounts owed to OFCOM under the previous rules (the 'relevant provision') that remain unpaid when these new Regulations take effect continue to be treated as outstanding debts.
Crucially, they are now recoverable under the enforcement terms established by these current 2025 Regulations.
(3) “Relevant provision” means regulation 3 of the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges for the 2100 MHz Frequency Band) Regulations 2021.
The 'Relevant provision' is explicitly identified as Regulation 3 from the revoked 2021 Regulations, which established the previous licence fee structure.
David Willis Director of Spectrum Group For and by the authority of the Office of Communications 29th September 2025
The document is formally signed by David Willis, the Director of the Spectrum Group, on September 29th, 2025, acting on behalf of OFCOM.
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.
The explanatory note confirms these Regulations set the fees for Spectrum Access 2100 MHz licences, which authorize the use of the identified frequency ranges under Section 8 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006.
Regulation 3 prescribes the licence charges payable for the 2100 MHz paired frequency band from 31st October 2026.
Regulation 3 details the formula and structure for the recurring annual licence charges applicable to the 2100 MHz band starting from October 31st, 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 4 details the option allowing licensees to divide their annual payments mandated by Regulation 3 into twelve equal monthly installments.
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 5 establishes the specific one-time charge of £622 per kHz, payable from January 4th, 2026, and outlines the installment schedule available for this particular fee.
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.
Regulation 6 officially cancels the 2021 version of the regulations.
It also ensures that any money owed under the old rules remains legally recoverable under the framework established by these new 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).
OFCOM did not prepare a standard business cost impact assessment because spectrum charges are treated as a form of levy or charge akin to a tax.
However, the regulatory impact was assessed and published as part of their public consultation and final policy statements, as required by Section 7 of the Communications Act 2003.