Ofcom has confirmed that it will begin the next round of 5G spectrum awards in September 2025. Applications will open between 10am on 16 September and 4pm on 17 September, with the bidding phase starting in October.
The regulator expects to identify winners before the end of the year. This will release new high-capacity airwaves to improve mobile broadband in the UK’s busiest areas.
What spectrum is being auctioned?
The auction will cover two millimetre wave (mmWave) frequency ranges. Operators will be able to bid for spectrum in the 26GHz band (25.1–27.5GHz) and the 40GHz band (40.5–43.5GHz). Together, these add up to 5.4GHz of additional spectrum.
Most existing 5G services in the UK currently run on mid-band spectrum between 700MHz and 3.8GHz. Those frequencies are effective for wide-area coverage, but they do not deliver the same speeds and capacity that mmWave can achieve. Adding these higher frequencies is expected to unlock multi-gigabit download speeds and significant headroom for data traffic where it is most needed.
Why mmWave is important
Millimetre wave spectrum is designed to deliver very fast speeds and large amounts of capacity. In practice, it can support data-intensive applications such as ultra-high-definition video streaming, gaming, real-time cloud services and augmented reality.
The trade-off is that mmWave signals do not travel far and struggle to penetrate walls. To make them useful, mobile operators need to install a large number of small sites to cover the same area that mid-band or low-band spectrum can reach more easily. This makes it more expensive to roll out nationwide, but highly effective for busy places where demand is concentrated.
Where it will be used first
Ofcom has confirmed that 68 high-demand locations will be prioritised in this auction. These include major cities and towns, along with hotspots such as airports, transport hubs, stadiums and shopping centres. These are the types of locations where large numbers of people connect at once and where existing spectrum bands can struggle to cope at peak times.
Alongside this, spectrum in the 26GHz band will also be made available through Ofcom’s shared access regime. This allows smaller providers, community projects and industrial operators to apply for local licences. It could support rural fixed wireless broadband, private 5G networks in ports or factories, or automation in industrial estates.
How the process works
Any company that wishes to participate will need to submit an application within the two-day window in September. Bidding will then begin in October, and the regulator expects to confirm results before the end of 2025. This timetable gives operators a clear path for planning deployments once licences are awarded.
Ofcom’s position
In its statement, Ofcom emphasised that making mmWave spectrum available is an important step for the UK. The regulator highlighted that it will help networks cope with rising demand for data in crowded areas, while also preparing for future services that will require low latency and very high throughput.
The regulator sees mmWave as a complement to existing spectrum. Mid-band remains essential for nationwide 5G coverage, but mmWave will act as the capacity layer in busy urban zones and specialist locations.
How this fits into the wider 5G market
UK operators including EE, O2, Vodafone and Three already operate 5G services on spectrum between 700MHz and 3.8GHz. This covers most of the country but does not yet deliver the very highest speeds. Adding mmWave spectrum is expected to bring the UK more in line with markets such as the US, Japan and South Korea, where mmWave is already in commercial use for hotspots and events.
Comparison with current provider services
At the moment, EE, O2, Vodafone and Three all market 5G services but are mainly using mid-band spectrum. Typical speeds are in the range of 100–300Mb per second in most areas.
By contrast, mmWave technology is designed to support gigabit-class performance, with peak speeds well above 1Gb per second where dense coverage is deployed.
Providers such as EE and Vodafone have already trialled mmWave services in London and Manchester. In those trials, download speeds of over 2Gb per second have been recorded, although coverage is limited to small zones. Once spectrum licences are awarded, we are likely to see more permanent rollouts in city centres, arenas and major stations.
It is also worth noting that fixed wireless broadband could be an important use case. With mmWave, operators can deliver fibre-like speeds without needing to dig new cables. This could offer an alternative in dense urban streets or business parks where fibre rollout is slower.
Implications for consumers
For everyday users, the benefit will show up in busy locations where mobile networks sometimes slow down. By layering mmWave on top of existing 5G bands, networks will be able to maintain fast speeds for more users at once. This will improve experiences like streaming football matches, downloading large files on the go, or gaming on mobile connections.
For businesses, the new spectrum opens up opportunities for private 5G networks with very high capacity. This can support things like real-time robotics in warehouses, automation in ports, or high-speed connectivity in media production sites.
Conclusion
The 2025 mmWave auction marks a major step forward for the UK’s 5G rollout. While coverage will not be nationwide, the release of high-capacity spectrum in dense urban areas should help operators cope with rising data demand. The auction also provides a pathway for smaller players to access spectrum locally, encouraging more diverse use cases. Although mmWave networks are expensive to build, the capacity and performance gains will play an important role in the long-term development of mobile broadband in the UK.
FAQ
What is Ofcom auctioning?
Ofcom is releasing spectrum in the 26GHz and 40GHz mmWave bands, totalling 5.4GHz of capacity.
When does the auction take place?
Applications open on 16–17 September 2025, with bidding starting in October. Results are expected before the end of 2025.
Why is mmWave spectrum important?
It offers much higher capacity and faster speeds than existing 5G bands, but it works best in busy areas because signals do not travel far.
Where will it be used first?
Ofcom has identified 68 high-demand locations such as city centres, airports, transport hubs and stadiums.
Will smaller providers be able to use this spectrum?
Yes. Ofcom’s shared access licensing allows local use of 26GHz spectrum by smaller companies and community projects.
How will it affect consumers?
Customers should see faster, more reliable speeds in crowded areas like stations, shopping centres and event venues.
What about businesses?
Enterprises can build private 5G networks using the new spectrum, enabling high-capacity wireless links in places like ports, factories and offices.
How does the UK compare internationally?
Countries like the US, Japan and South Korea already use mmWave in urban hotspots. The UK is now aligning with that trend.
Will it improve coverage everywhere?
No. mmWave will mainly boost capacity in busy urban areas. For wide coverage, operators will continue to rely on mid-band and low-band spectrum.
Which providers will benefit most?
EE, O2, Vodafone and Three are the main national operators expected to bid. Smaller players may also take local licences through the shared access scheme.