Creating a better UK broadband landscape for all
As the recognised trade body for the fixed wireless access industry in the UK, UKWISPA works hard to help government bodies and the regulator understand our needs and the opportunities we provide to improve the UK broadband landscape.
Shaping public funding
Working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and its broadband delivery team, Building Digital UK (BDUK), our team helps to shape several voucher schemes. These schemes use public funds to support the installation of very high speed internet access to properties that need it.
We work to help make sure that the schemes give best value to the public purse and are shaped to get the best out of both fibre and wireless connections. Activities such as contribution to the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review and input to Industry Reviews are key examples of our work.
Industry reports
UKWISPA has helped in the production of several important industry reports:
The Role of Wireless Networks in Enhancing Digital Connectivity in the UK (Intelligens Consulting, 2024)
UK Gigabit Radio Broadband (July 2022)
Working with Ofcom
With Ofcom, UKWISPA helps as a conduit for communication around regulation, spectrum licensing and the national Connected Nations report. We meet regularly with various teams within Ofcom to help them fully appreciate the value and coverage our members offer.
We also help to communicate important information back to our members and work alongside the enforcement teams to encourage members to operate within the scope of their licences.
New spectrum
Since our formation, UKWISPA has been instrumental in gaining access to new spectrum in a number of bands, including:
Sharing of the 1800 and 2300 MHz bands
The 3.8 to 4.2 GHz band
The lower 26 GHz band
Addition of point-to-multipoint capability in V-band (60 GHz)
Removing the 20 MHz ‘notch’ from the 5.8 GHz band-C to make this continuous